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Jim Castillo: a weatherman for all seasons

This was written by a New York City News Paper Reporter in 2003.
The first thing you notice when meeting meteorologist Jim Castillo is his outgoing personality and the infectious smile that compliments his darkly handsome good looks. Here is a man that not only enjoys life, but wants to live every vibrant moment to its fullest. And nothing gets him more pumped up these days than talking about his move to the metropolitan area to work for the local Fox affiliate WNYW Channel 5.

“I love being in New York,” he raves. The winner of several Emmys and a Golden Mic during his stints as a television meteorologist in Seattle and Los Angeles, Jim always dreamed of one day making his mark in the nation’s number one media market.

“New Yorkers are hard working and cultured.” The last time he lived in New York City was back in the early 90s. “I was fresh out of college and had to leave for more job experience and better opportunities in other cities. In television news you have to go to smaller markets, pay your dues and hope everything works out.”

He fielded offers from three different regimes at local New York stations, but the timing wasn’t right. “So I took whatever great job offer that came my way and made the best of it. Luckily, I’ve liked every place I’ve lived.

Jim’s first gig as a meteorologist was in Columbia, Mo., where he also attended the University of Missouri. Besides doing the weather, he hosted an exercise segment. “They called me ‘beefcake’ at the station,” he laughs with self-deprecation. “They made me do an exercise segment after the weather. I loved it.”

Weather Forecast: Partly hotter, with Jim Castillo

Seattle Weather Forecast: Partly hotter, with Jim Castillo

When meteorologist Jim Castillo worked for Q13 in Seattle, he was the main reason to watch the 10 o’clock news. This wasn’t because his forecasts were more accurate than anyone else’s. It was more due to his status as eye candy for the ladies. (And — let’s be real here — gents, too.) The man is so gorgeous that in 2000, when he was lured away to work at KCBS in L.A., I remember getting an e-mail (I was with another newsroom at the time) that went something like, “Now what’ll I have with my after-dinner glass of wine?”

Well, six years later, Castillo’s starry-eyed fans can feel free to fill ‘er up again, because the weather Adonis has returned. Get ready to trade in that evening buzz for an a.m. pick-me-up, though, and switch KCPQ/13 for KOMO/4.

Starting Monday morning between 5 and 6 a.m. on ABC, Castillo will report the weather every 10 minutes, returning at 11 a.m. to deliver forecasts alongside anchor Connie Thompson. Castillo also has morning radio gigs on STAR 101.5 and am 1000 News Monday through Friday.

Most recently, Castillo was lead meteorologist at WNYW-TV in New York City (2002-05). And he’s not just a pretty face. He has two Emmy awards, a Golden Mic and two Associated Press awards under his belt.

Welcome back, Jim. We know that a few viewers will be raising their glasses — and mugs — to your return.