LOS ANGELES (KABC)– It was 1984, a year when Los Angeles was buzzing with the energy of the Summer Olympics. But among all the athletes who came to town at KABC, someone else was about to make a splash.
That’s when meteorologist Dallas Raines arrived from CNN, sporting a full head of hair, a gold medal tan and the perfect name for a weather expert.
And now, ABC7 is honoring Dallas for 40 years of forecasting Southern California weather.
Or as longtime fan and observer Jimmy Kimmel joked, Dallas may have the skills to do more than just predict…
“The day I got married to my beautiful wife Molly, it looked like there was going to be a thunderstorm and it was an outdoor wedding and we were in Ojai,” Kimmel recalled.
“And I called Dallas and I said, ‘Dallas, please, is there anything you can do?’ And Dallas came out onto that lawn… He looked up to the sky and shouted to the storm clouds: “Go away, I beg you! And the sky cleared, we had a beautiful wedding thanks to the power of Mr. Dallas Raines.”
Over the years, Dallas has perfected a series of signature gestures and movements. There are four-finger forecasts. The whirlwind. The swing. And of course, squat.
“Forty years with KABC. Dallas Raines, you are a legend!” said ABC News meteorologist Ginger Zee.
“You are the weather of Los Angeles,” said Lisa Ann Walter of “Abbott Elementary.” “You’re usually sunny and sometimes a little windy.”
And among his biggest fans are his colleagues at the station.
“You’re really just a ray of sunshine and a big bright spot in my life,” ABC7 meteorologist Leslie Lopez said.
Dallas Raines is celebrating 40 years with KABC.
“He’s a unique guy, incredibly talented and knowledgeable,” meteorologist Danny Romero said. “One in one.”
For its decades of service, Walt Disney Co. is honoring Dallas with an anniversary statue.
“Dallas, I want to congratulate you on reaching the 40-year milestone with the company,” said Disney CEO Bob Iger. “As someone who has been in the business for 50 years this year, that means you’ve worked with me for 40 of the 40 years you’ve been around – well minus 11 months. Either way, congratulations on your 40th anniversary. And thank you for everything you do for KABC, Eyewitness News and the city of Los Angeles.
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