Elise Dione Finch Biography:
Elise Dione Finch was an award-winning television meteorologist best known for her 16-year career at WCBS-TV in New York. She became a trusted presence on CBS New York’s morning broadcasts, where viewers relied on her clear forecasts, calm delivery, and warm personality.
Finch died suddenly on July 16, 2023, at a New York City-area hospital. She was 51. Her death was announced by CBS New York, which remembered her as a gifted journalist, a dedicated colleague, and a devoted wife and mother. The official cause of death was not publicly disclosed.
Who Was Elise Finch?
Elise Finch was an American meteorologist and broadcast journalist from Mount Vernon, New York. She joined WCBS-TV in 2007 as the station’s weekend meteorologist and later became part of the weekday morning news team.
Over the years, she became familiar to viewers across the New York metropolitan area. Finch covered everyday weather conditions as well as major events, including Hurricane Sandy, the 2016 blizzard, and periods of extreme cold such as the polar vortex.
Her professional reputation rested on more than forecasting ability. Colleagues and viewers also remembered her for her energy, professionalism, humor, and ability to explain complex weather patterns in a way that made sense to a broad audience.
Age and Early Life
Finch was born on February 24, 1972, in Mount Vernon, New York. She graduated from Mount Vernon High School and remained proud of her connection to the city where she grew up.
She developed an interest in science and weather at an early age. That interest eventually led her into broadcast meteorology, a field that combines atmospheric science, public communication, technology, and live television.
Finch was also known for maintaining a strong connection with her community. Local leaders and residents remembered her as a familiar and respected figure who represented Mount Vernon with pride.
Education and Meteorology Training
Finch earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Georgetown University, where she received the President’s Award. She later completed a Master of Science degree in broadcast journalism at Syracuse University.
She also completed the Broadcast Meteorology Program at Mississippi State University. This additional training helped prepare her for the technical demands of television weather reporting, including forecasting, data interpretation, severe-weather coverage, and on-air communication.
Finch held the American Meteorological Society’s Seal of Approval, a professional credential associated with broadcast meteorology. The credential reflected her training and commitment to accurate public weather information.
Elise Finch’s Journalism Career
Finch began her media career away from the weather desk. She worked as a production coordinator at E! Entertainment Television before moving into reporting and on-air journalism.
Her early broadcast positions included work with CBS and Fox affiliates in Youngstown, Ohio, and an ABC affiliate in Austin, Minnesota. She later worked as a weekend weather anchor at a CBS station in Phoenix, Arizona.
Finch also worked for NBC, where she appeared on Early Today, MSNBC, and NBC Weather Plus. These positions helped her build experience in both weather presentation and general television news.
In April 2007, she joined WCBS-TV in New York. She initially served as the station’s weekend meteorologist before moving to weekday morning broadcasts in 2019.wikipedia
Career at WCBS-TV
At CBS New York, Finch delivered weather forecasts during the morning news with Mary Calvi and Chris Wragge. She also appeared on the 9 a.m. newscast with Cindy Hsu.
Her work required accuracy under pressure. Weather forecasts can change quickly, particularly during severe storms, winter weather, heat waves, and coastal emergencies. Finch was often responsible for giving viewers practical information about travel conditions, school closures, flooding, wind, snow, and dangerous temperatures.
CBS New York described her as a multiple award-winning journalist and a valued member of its newsroom. The station also praised her care for her work and her role as an ambassador for the community.
Husband and Daughter
Finch was married to Graig Henriques, a photojournalist who worked with WCBS. The couple had one daughter, Grace.
Although Finch was a public figure on television, she kept much of her family life away from the spotlight. Colleagues described her as a devoted wife and mother who cared deeply about her family.
Her daughter was central to Finch’s life, and tributes following her death repeatedly mentioned the love and attention she gave to her family.
Elise Finch’s Death
Elise Finch died on July 16, 2023, at a local hospital in New York. She was 51 years old.
CBS New York announced her death on July 17, describing it as a profound loss for the station and the wider community. At the time of the announcement, the cause of death had not been determined. No verified public source has since established an official cause, so claims about a heart attack, stroke, or another medical condition should not be presented as fact.cbsnews+1
Her death led to tributes from colleagues, viewers, local officials, and fellow journalists. Many remembered her as someone whose warmth reached beyond the television screen.
Legacy
Finch’s legacy includes the trust she built with viewers over more than two decades in broadcast journalism. She showed that a meteorologist’s role involves more than presenting numbers and maps. It also requires empathy, clarity, preparation, and the ability to help people make decisions during uncertain conditions.
Her career also held special meaning in Mount Vernon, where she grew up and attended high school. Community members remembered her as a local success story who returned that support through her visibility, professionalism, and public service.
For CBS New York viewers, Finch remains associated with reliable morning forecasts and an approachable on-air presence. Her work continues to be remembered by the colleagues and communities she served.
Elise Finch Net Worth
There is no verified public information about Elise Finch’s net worth or salary. Estimates published by celebrity biography websites are speculative and should not be treated as confirmed financial facts.
Her professional income came from a long career in television journalism and meteorology. Because her employment contracts, assets, and personal finances were private, a specific figure cannot be responsibly stated.
Quick Facts
Full name: Elise Dione Finch Henriques
Professional name: Elise Finch
Date of birth: February 24, 1972
Birthplace: Mount Vernon, New York
Date of death: July 16, 2023
Age at death: 51
Occupation: Television meteorologist and broadcast journalist
Former employer: WCBS-TV, CBS New York
Education: Georgetown University and Syracuse University
Additional training: Broadcast Meteorology Program at Mississippi State University
Professional credential: American Meteorological Society Seal of Approval
Husband: Graig Henriques
Child: One daughter, Grace
Cause of death: Not publicly disclosed
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Elise Finch?
Elise Finch was a television meteorologist and broadcast journalist who worked for WCBS-TV in New York for 16 years.
How old was Elise Finch when she died?
She was 51 years old when she died on July 16, 2023.
Where was Elise Finch born?
She was born in Mount Vernon, New York.
Where did Elise Finch go to college?
She earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Georgetown University and a Master of Science in broadcast journalism from Syracuse University.
Where did Elise Finch work?
She worked at WCBS-TV in New York from 2007 until her death. Before that, she held broadcast positions in Ohio, Minnesota, Arizona, and with NBC.
Who was Elise Finch’s husband?
She was married to Graig Henriques, a photojournalist who worked at WCBS.
What was Elise Finch’s cause of death?
Her official cause of death was not publicly disclosed. Unverified claims about a specific medical condition should not be repeated as fact.
