West Virginians can once again count on a familiar face when they check the forecast. Meteorologist Dillon Gaudet has returned to the Mountain State, joining WSAZ as the station’s morning weather anchor.

For Gaudet, the move from the Lexington, Kentucky-based channel ABC 36 to the Huntington/Charleston area was more than just a career change; it was a homecoming.

“It was definitely a goal for me to come back to West Virginia,” Gaudet said. “I started my career here, and while I wanted to move and challenge myself in Kentucky, I realized pretty quickly that I wanted to return. Thais opportunity came out of nowhere, and it was one I couldn’t pass up.”

That opportunity was the morning weather position at WSAZ, a station Gaudet described as “the legacy TV station of the state.” He’s stepping into big shoes, replacing longtime meteorologist Brandon Butcher, who held the position for 15 years.

“WSAZ has always been dominant in Charleston, Huntington, southern West Virginia, southeast Ohio and eastern Kentucky,” Gaudet said. “It means the world to me to be part of that tradition.”

Of course, being a morning meteorologist comes with unique challenges — mainly, the schedule. Gaudet is on-air from 4:30 to 9 a.m., which means he’s often up and working by 2:30 a.m.

“It’s really hard to go to bed as early as I need to in the summer, when the sun’s out so late,” he laughed. “But after years of doing morning shows in Lexington, I’ve gotten used to it. My body has adjusted to running on very little sleep.”

Even when he’s off-air, Gaudet admits he doesn’t exactly stop thinking about the weather.

“Some people think it’s crazy, but the weather is both my job and my hobby,” he said. “I love pushing myself to understand more, and I want to have the best forecast I possibly can. It’s fun for me.”

And while Gaudet’s WSAZ coverage area doesn’t directly include Buckhannon, he still keeps a close eye on his hometown forecast.

“A lot of weather passes through my area to get to Upshur County,” he said. “So if people want to stream my forecasts, it can definitely still be relevant.”

In other words, Buckhannon’s beloved weatherman may have a new TV station, but he hasn’t forgotten home.