Eric Nefstead, meteorologist for WTVO-WQRF, died in his home Saturday after what the station said was a long illness.
Nefstead had been battling health issues all year and had taken a leave of absence from the Rockford ABC and FOX duopoly last January.
Chief meteorologist Candice King said Nefstead was like a grandpa to her. She remembered him for his uncanny ability to predict the weather. “I remember one time during winter he came in after the morning show – it was snowing – looked at a visible satellite image and said…’The snow isn’t going to last long,'” said King. “‘See those clouds there…the snow will be ending soon – probably in 45 minutes.’ And sure enough…down to the minute the snow ended.”
Nefstead had once been chief meteorologist at Rockford’s NBC affiliate WREX. He had also worked in North Dakota, Iowa and Wisconsin.
Nefstead was 70.