If you’ve been watching the weather in the Twin Cities for any length of time, you’ve probably noticed that Mace Michaels is kind of everywhere. Then, suddenly, he isn't. One night he's standing in front of the green screen on Fox 9, and the next week you might see him pop up on KARE 11 or KSTP. It leads to a lot of confused Googling: why did Mace Michaels leave Fox 9?
Honestly, the answer isn't a dramatic "exit" or a hidden scandal. It’s actually about how the modern TV industry works and a terrifying health scare that changed his perspective on life.
The Mystery of the Missing Meteorologist
Most viewers are used to "contract" talent. You know the drill: an anchor signs a three-year deal, they stay put, and if they leave, there’s a big cake and a goodbye montage. But Mace Michaels is a different breed of broadcaster. He is essentially the ultimate "free agent" of Minnesota weather.
When people ask why did Mace Michaels leave Fox 9, they are often assuming he was a permanent staffer who quit. In reality, Mace has operated as a freelance meteorologist for years. He fills gaps. If a regular staffer goes on vacation, or if the station needs extra coverage during a massive blizzard, Mace is the guy they call.
He didn't "leave" in the sense of a messy breakup. His role at Fox 9 has always been fluid. He’s been a staple at KARE 11 and WeatherNation too. He basically goes where the clouds are—and where the open shifts are.
The 2018 Health Scare That Changed Everything
You can't talk about Mace's career path without mentioning May 2018. It was a Wednesday afternoon, and Mace was doing what he always does—working. He wasn't even at the Fox 9 studio; he was working for SevereStudios at the time. He started feeling a weird pain in his stomach.
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He thought it was just bad acid reflux or maybe something he ate.
It wasn't. It was a massive heart attack.
What’s crazy is that Mace was only 47. He didn’t smoke. He didn't drink. He didn't have a family history of heart disease. He was, in his own words, "boring." But that day, he had to tell his boss, Kory Hartman, that he couldn't finish his shift. For a guy who never misses a shift, that was the ultimate red flag. He ended up at North Memorial Medical Center, and it was a "life-changing" moment that shifted his focus toward a more flexible schedule.
Why His Schedule Looks So Chaotic
If you see him on Fox 9 one month and KSTP the next, don't worry. He isn't getting fired repeatedly.
- The Minnesota Twins Factor: Mace is the official meteorologist for the Minnesota Twins. During the baseball season, he’s often at Target Field. This takes precedence over a lot of his TV fill-in work.
- Freelance Freedom: Being a freelancer allows him to manage his health and his time. He doesn't have to deal with the grueling 60-hour weeks that full-time lead meteorologists often endure.
- SevereStudios & Radio: He manages a massive network of radio stations across the Midwest. If you hear a weather update on a small-town radio station in Minnesota or Wisconsin, there’s a good chance it’s Mace’s voice you’re hearing.
The "disappearance" from Fox 9 is usually just a result of the station's full-time staff being healthy and present. When everyone is in the office, there's no need for a freelancer. But as soon as someone takes a week off, Mace is usually the first person they dial.
What This Means for Viewers
Basically, Mace Michaels is a survivor and a workhorse. He’s the guy who keeps the lights on when the "main" stars are away. He has a Master’s degree, decades of experience, and a reputation for being the "hardest working guy in the market."
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If you're looking for him and he's not on Fox 9, check the other channels. Or better yet, go to a Twins game. He's likely nearby, watching the radar and making sure the game doesn't get rained out.
If you’re wondering where to find his latest updates, the best move is to follow his social media accounts rather than relying on a specific channel's schedule. He posts frequent updates there, especially when severe weather is rolling through the Twin Cities. You can also listen for his voice on the SevereStudios Radio Network, which covers over 50 channels across the region.
Next Steps:
To stay updated on Mace's whereabouts and get the most accurate local forecasts, you should follow the Fox 9 Weather and KARE 11 Weather social media pages. Since Mace fills in across multiple stations, these official pages will often tag him when he is on-air. Additionally, if you are a baseball fan, keep an eye on the Minnesota Twins official weather updates during the season, as that remains his most consistent "home base."