Is Jim Cantore, whose name has become synonymous with Florida hurricanes, retiring?
The prominent weatherman, known for his coverage of major storms and arguably the nation’s most respected forecaster, has been a meteorologist for The Weather Channel for nearly 40 years.
“His ability to explain to viewers the scientific cause-and-effect of the weather transcends from meteorology to journalism,” Cantore’s bio on the Weather Group website states.
➤ Weather alerts via text: Sign up to get updates about current storms and weather events by location
And wherever a storm is forecast to make landfall in Florida, you’ll find him, including, more recently, in Tallahassee ahead of Hurricane Milton, Tampa for Hurricane Helene and Punta Gorda in 2022 for Hurricane Ian.
Several posts circulated on social media over the past week, some claiming the iconic weatherman is calling it quits due to health issues and aging, while others cited personal reasons, including an engagement and a baby on the way.
Who is Jim Cantore?
According to his Weather Group bio, Cantore was born in Waterbury, Connecticut and raised in White River Junction, Vermont. He graduated from Lyndon State College and joined The Weather Channel in 1986 immediately after graduating college.
Cantore anchors and forecasts the nation’s weather day-to-day and helps produce documentaries on meteorology, forecasting and historic storms.
How old is Jim Cantore?
Cantore is 61 years old. He was born Feb. 16, 1964.
The Jim Cantore effect
It has become a running gag in the world of weather that Cantore flocks to locations of impending meteorological doom for on-the-ground live coverage, and his presence ahead of and during severe weather events has served as a warning for locals, USA TODAY reported.
Is Jim Cantore retiring from The Weather Channel?
Cantore quelled online rumors of his retirement with an Instagram post on July 1.
“Still very ably cranking it out on TWC and loving every minute of working for this multiyear award winning brand! See you in the next big one,” Cantore’s post reads, preceded by the hashtag #fakenews.
“Thank God cause I was gonna cry…BUT I still dont wanna see you in my part of Florida,” a person with the user name katjaw73 commented.
Interactive map: Hurricanes, tropical storms that have passed near your city
Stay informed. Get weather alerts via text
Support local journalism by subscribing to a Florida news organization.
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Is Jim Cantore retiring? Iconic Weather Channel meteorologist sets record straight
Reporting by Kim Luciani, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Naples Daily News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
