KXAS is making changes to its weather team heading into the Fall.

The Dallas NBC O&O has hired Rick Mitchell, who has been chief meteorologist at KOCO in Oklahoma City since 1994. In the coming weeks, Mitchell will join the 4 p.m. and 10 p.m. newscasts, taking over for Grant Johnston in the afternoon and David Finfrock (pictured) in the evening.

Finfrock, the station’s chief meteorologist, has signed a new long-term contract that will keep him at KXAS through 2018, at which point he intends to retire after more than 40 years at the station. He will continue to forecast on the 5 and 6 p.m. newscasts.

“I’m not ready to leave yet, but I’ve been thinking about retirement for several years, and I’m pleased this agreement offers me the opportunity to finish my career right where it began – with the first television station in Texas,” Finfrock said in a statement. Read more

After 18 years as chief meteorologist at KOCO in Oklahoma City, Rick Mitchell is moving to Dallas to join KXAS.

Mitchell replaces Jennifer Lopez, who left the NBC O&O earlier this year. In a statement announcing his hire, KXAS said Mitchell’s on-air responsibilities and start date will be announced in the coming weeks.

Prior to joining KOCO in 1993, Mitchell worked as a meteorologist at WOI in Des Moines and at AccuWeather in State College, PA.