Gary England Returns: Legendary Oklahoma Meteorologist Launches New TV Forecast Tonight

Longtime Oklahoma meteorologist Gary England, whose calm voice and cutting-edge technology guided viewers through the region’s most violent storms for more than four decades, died Tuesday evening, June 10, 2025, at the age of 85. England passed peacefully surrounded by family, according to a statement released by News 9, the Oklahoma City station where he became a household name. A trailblazer in broadcast meteorology England joined KWTV-News 9 in 1972 and quickly transformed how severe weather was covered on television. He pioneered the use of Doppler radar in local newscasts, debuted the state’s first computerized storm-warning map, and coined phrases such as “Hook Echo” that became part of Oklahoma’s weather lexicon. His on-air alerts were credited with saving countless lives during historic tornado outbreaks, including the devastating May 3, 1999 F5 twister that tore through Moore and southern Oklahoma City. Pop-culture icon and “Twister” inspiration England’s steady demeanor and signature sign-off—“Stay with us; we’ll keep you advised”—turned him into a pop-culture figure. He served as a consultant and cameo actor in the 1996 blockbuster “Twister,” introducing a global audience to the intensity of Plains storm season. Despite Hollywood fame, he remained focused on public safety, frequently visiting schools to teach children how to prepare for tornadoes. Innovations that reshaped storm coverage • First meteorologist to integrate live street-level mapping for tornadic circulation. • Helped develop Oklahoma’s statewide “First Warning” system, which still interrupts programming with real-time alerts. • Championed closed-captioned weather crawls long before federal mandates, ensuring deaf and hard-of-hearing viewers had equal access to critical information. Tributes pour in from across the country Governor Kevin Stitt ordered flags at half-staff, calling England “the voice we trusted when the sky turned green.” Fellow forecaster Mike Morgan remembered his rival as “a mentor who set the gold standard for severe-weather communication.” National Weather Service offices from Norman to Silver Spring posted condolences, noting England’s work bridged the gap between scientific data and public understanding. Funeral arrangements and public memorial England’s family announced a public visitation Friday at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, followed by a private burial. A live-streamed memorial service is set for Saturday at Crossings Community Church, with News 9 airing the event in its entirety. Donations in his honor may be made to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, reflecting his lifelong mission to protect communities in harm’s way. Enduring legacy in the age of climate extremes As Oklahoma and the broader Plains grapple with longer tornado seasons and record-shattering hail events, England’s influence continues through the generation of meteorologists he trained. Many still keep his handwritten “tornado checklist” on studio walls—an enduring reminder that clear, calm communication can turn viewers into survivors. Keywords: Gary England death, Gary England obituary, Oklahoma meteorologist, News 9 chief meteorologist, severe weather coverage, tornado safety, Twister movie inspiration, Doppler radar pioneer.