Jax Daily

Winterling takes new role at WJXT

Thu, Apr 23, 2009 by Austin Cassidy

You might have heard the radio ads running today, promising that a Channel 4 anchor would reveal a “big secret” on the air during tonight’s 6pm broadcast. My initial thought was of Victor Blackwell’s “I used to be fat” revelation on First Coast News a couple of years ago.

But no… the “big news” is that George Winterling is taking a new title at Channel 4. No longer will he appear on the station to do daily weather reports. His new role will include filling in for people on vacation and anchoring the station’s severe weather coverage.

From News4Jax.com…

After 47 years as chief meteorologist at Channel 4, George Winterling is writing the next chapter in his life and a new role at the television station where he helped invent television weather forecasting.

By taking the role of severe weather and hurricane expert, Winterling is stepping away from daily forecasting, but not leaving the local station.

The position will allow Winterling to spend more time with his wife, Virginia, his grandchildren, his friends, his dog and, of course, his garden.

And because of his passion for weather and friendship with the other members of WJXT’s weather team, Winterling will occasionally fill in so John Gaughan, Richard Nunn and Rebecca Barry can take some well-deserved time off.

Beyond being a household name, Winterling has met tens of thousands of people in the community over the years through public appearances and school visits. Some students that got a visit from Winterling a generation ago now have children of their own who are getting to meet him.

Winterling isn’t stepping into the new position until late May, so there’ll be weeks of special and fun events to give the viewers and his co-workers a chance to congratulate him.