Veteran meteorologist Mike Francis is leaving Little Rock’s KARK, where has has been for 10 years, for WXIA in Atlanta. He will be the station’s chief meteorologist.

KARK, the Little Rock NBC affiliate, announced Francis’s 48-market jump yesterday. News director Rob Heverling said, “We are very proud that he has developed so much during his tenure here that he has been able to make a positive impression on a top-ten TV market.”

Francis was named chief meteorologist at KARK, where he does the morning newscast, in 2008. His last day at the NBC affiliate will be July 1.

“Leaving Central Arkansas will not be easy for me,” Francis said. “The times we’ve shared together have given me and my family the opportunity to get a leadership position in one of the biggest TV markets in the country and we’re very grateful.”

>Update: Francis’s offer at WXIA has not yet been finalized, according to his attorney, Rick Carr.