John Gaughan Bio, WJXT, Age, Family, Wife, Net Worth, Salary
John Gaughan is an American meteorologist who served as chief meteorologist at WJXT (News4JAX) in Jacksonville, Florida, retiring in May 2023 after 30 years at the station and a 40-year career in broadcast weather. A calm, trusted presence during some of the region’s most extreme weather, he became one of Northeast Florida’s most recognizable television figures.
Gaughan guided Jacksonville and Southeast Georgia through hurricanes, nor’easters and severe storms, and worked alongside the legendary meteorologist George Winterling. Outside the weather center, he was a two-time national investment challenge champion and a devoted family man. As of 2026 he is retired and remains closely connected to the Jacksonville community.
John Gaughan Quick Facts
| Full Name | John Gaughan |
| Nick Name | John |
| Profession | Meteorologist (Retired), Television Broadcaster |
| Birth Date | Not publicly disclosed |
| Age | Approximately 65 |
| Birth Place | United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Known For | Chief Meteorologist at WJXT News4JAX in Jacksonville |
| Ethnicity | Caucasian |
| Zodiac | Not publicly disclosed |
| Height | Approximately 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) |
| Weight | Not publicly disclosed |
| Hair Color | Gray |
| Eye Color | Not publicly disclosed |
| Qualification | University of Maryland; AMS Seal of Approval (1987) |
| Religion | Not publicly disclosed |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Spouse | Laurie Gaughan |
| Relationships | Married to Laurie Gaughan, a certified public accountant |
| Children | Two daughters: Jenna and Dr. Natalie Gaughan |
| Family Tree | A Jacksonville family since 1992; both daughters graduated from Nease High School |
| Hobbies | Investing, travel, family time |
| Current Work | Retired |
| Years Active | 1983–2023 |
| Net Worth | Estimated $1–2 million |
Viewers who search for John Gaughan often also look up his longtime WJXT colleague Mary Baer, the station’s legendary meteorologist George Winterling, and other Jacksonville news personalities who retired from News4JAX.
Early Life and Education
John Gaughan attended the University of Maryland, where he began his path into broadcast meteorology, working as a weather graphics producer at WRC-TV in Washington, D.C. His mentor there was chief meteorologist Bob Ryan, who later became president of the American Meteorological Society, and who introduced Gaughan to the work of Jacksonville’s George Winterling, one of the most respected forecasters in the country.
After graduating, Gaughan married his wife Laurie, whom he has called the best decision of his life, and set out on a career that would take him across the Southeast. He earned the American Meteorological Society’s Seal of Approval in 1987.
Career Journey
Early Stations and Jacksonville
Gaughan’s first on-air job was as chief meteorologist at WOLO in Columbia, South Carolina. He later worked in Jacksonville at WJKS-TV17, in a role previously held by a young Sam Champion, who went on to become a longtime weather anchor for Good Morning America. When cutbacks hit that station during the Gulf War recession, Gaughan was let go — but he and Laurie had fallen in love with Jacksonville and were determined to stay.
He then spent time as a weekend meteorologist at WFTV in Orlando, where he covered the approach of Hurricane Andrew in August 1992. Later that year, a weekend position finally opened at WJXT, and Gaughan’s three-decade run at Channel 4 began.
Thirty Years at WJXT
Gaughan worked weekends at WJXT until 1997, when he took over the morning weather role from Glen “Woody” Woods. He anchored The Morning Show until 2004, when he moved to evenings to work alongside George Winterling, the forecaster he had admired for two decades. When Winterling retired in 2009, Gaughan became chief meteorologist.
In that role he guided Jacksonville through the busiest stretch of tropical weather in the city’s 150 years of record keeping: five tropical cyclones and two major nor’easters in just seven years. He also created the station’s “Insiders” newsletter and was known for his detailed, community-minded forecasting.
Retirement
Gaughan announced his retirement in April 2023 and signed off on May 31, 2023, alongside anchor Mary Baer, who also retired. “I’m so thankful for a 40-year career in broadcast meteorology, and thirty plus years at one of the great local television stations of all time,” he said. He and Laurie remain committed to serving the Jacksonville community in retirement.
John Gaughan Career Stats
- 40-year career in broadcast meteorology (1983–2023)
- 30 years at WJXT News4JAX in Jacksonville
- Chief meteorologist at WJXT from 2009 to 2023
- Earned the AMS Seal of Approval in 1987
- Won the CNBC/USA Today National Investment Challenge twice
Personal Life
Gaughan has been married to his wife Laurie for decades; the couple celebrated their 37th anniversary around the time of his retirement in 2023. Laurie, a certified public accountant, worked for the State of Florida and the Auditor General’s office. They raised two daughters in Jacksonville: Jenna, who lives in Boulder, Colorado, and Dr. Natalie Gaughan, a surgeon completing her medical training at Wake Forest.
- Married to Laurie Gaughan, a certified public accountant
- Father of two daughters, Jenna and Dr. Natalie Gaughan
- Brought his family to Jacksonville in 1992
- An avid investor who won a national investment challenge twice
Dating History and Affairs
Gaughan’s personal life has centered on his long marriage to Laurie, whom he credits as central to his success and happiness. There is no record of prior high-profile relationships or personal scandal.
Controversies
John Gaughan has no documented personal or professional controversies. He was a trusted, steady presence in Jacksonville news for three decades and retired on warm terms, celebrated by colleagues and viewers alike.
Awards and Achievements
- American Meteorological Society Seal of Approval (1987)
- Chief Meteorologist at WJXT for more than a decade
- Won the CNBC/USA Today National Investment Challenge twice
- Honored by News4JAX with an hour-long retirement special in 2023
Physical Statistics
Gaughan stands approximately 5 feet 7 inches tall and maintained a calm, authoritative on-air presence throughout his career, typically seen with short gray hair and professional broadcast attire. He does not publicly share his weight. In retirement he enjoys travel and time with his family.
Quotes
“I’m so thankful for a 40-year career in broadcast meteorology, and thirty plus years at one of the great local television stations of all time.” — John Gaughan
Favorites
- Favorite Hobby: Investing and the stock market
- Favorite City: Jacksonville, Florida
- Favorite Mentor: George Winterling
- Favorite Way to Spend Retirement: Traveling with family
Earnings and Net Worth
John Gaughan’s net worth is estimated at between $1 million and $2 million. His income came from four decades as a broadcast meteorologist, including more than 30 years as a top anchor at WJXT in Jacksonville. His successful investment acumen — proven by two national investment challenge victories — likely added to his retirement security.
Interesting Facts
- He worked 40 years in broadcast meteorology
- He replaced Glen “Woody” Woods on the WJXT morning show in 1997
- He worked alongside the legendary George Winterling
- He won a national investment challenge twice
- He and Mary Baer retired from WJXT on the same day in 2023
Did You Know Already?
- Did you know that John Gaughan was WJXT’s chief meteorologist for over a decade?
- Did you know that he once worked in the same Jacksonville role as Sam Champion?
- Did you know that he won a national investment challenge twice?
- Did you know that he retired in 2023 after 30 years at News4JAX?
Social Media Links
- Facebook: John Gaughan (News4JAX)
- Website: news4jax.com
- Newsletter: WJXT Insiders
FAQ
Who is John Gaughan?
John Gaughan is a retired American meteorologist who served as chief meteorologist at WJXT (News4JAX) in Jacksonville, Florida, retiring in 2023 after 30 years at the station.
How long was John Gaughan at WJXT?
He joined WJXT in 1992 and retired on May 31, 2023, after more than 30 years at the station and a 40-year career in broadcast meteorology.
Is John Gaughan married?
Yes. He is married to Laurie Gaughan, a certified public accountant, and the couple have two daughters.
Who did John Gaughan work with at WJXT?
He worked alongside the legendary meteorologist George Winterling, whom he succeeded as chief meteorologist in 2009, and anchor Mary Baer.
How much is John Gaughan worth?
His net worth is estimated at roughly $1 million to $2 million, based on his long broadcasting career and investment success.
Conclusion
John Gaughan spent four decades keeping Americans safe from the weather, the last 30 years of it in Jacksonville, where he became a household name. He guided the First Coast through its most turbulent storms, worked beside one of the greats in George Winterling, and retired with the gratitude of an entire community. His calm, reliable presence on News4JAX will be remembered for years to come. If you found this biography helpful, please share it with fellow weather and Jacksonville news fans!
