After 27 years of keeping you safe through hurricanes and severe weather, WPTV Chief Meteorologist Steve Weagle is retiring on Friday, Dec. 12.
Weagle has been a trusted guide through countless storm seasons and even those beloved snuggle alerts that became a signature part of his weather forecasts.
On Monday, there was a celebration at Philly Down South in Stuart that allowed the community to personally thank Steve for his nearly three decades of service. Then, another special celebration was held Wednesday at Old Key Lime House in Lantana.
Take a look at what WPTV viewers are saying about Steve:
Melea Veatch: "I want to Thank Steve for getting me through hurricanes Jeanne, Frances and Wilma. I don't do well during hurricanes. Steve's calm voice made me feel like everything would be ok. Happy Retirement. I will miss you."
Catherine Bilquin: "You have been in my living room since 2004 when I moved from NY to FLA; just in time for Frances, Ivan, and Jean. Wow, my first hurricane. Thanks for staying calm and keeping us safe. Congratulations on your retirement."
Cheyenne Zantar: "All his longest days while Palm Beach County experiencing tornadoes and hurricanes like Hurricane Andrew. 8/1992. When we lived in palm beach cty love him alot & wish him a happy and well-deserved retirement."
Roz Caldicott: "I have always enjoyed Steve's calm reporting of the weather."
Jennifer Sileo: "We moved to Florida just as Steve started in 1998 and Irene was our first experience of a hurricane. In our ignorance we didn't even know to close the accordion shutters! It was a scary night that Steve got us through and through every hurricane since. My favorite memory is the hoisting of the Snuggle Alert flag, usually every winter to date. Will miss that and Steve most of all."
Pam Meredith: "Steve, you have gotten us through so very many storms! Thank you so much for not only keeping us safe, but your calming voice kept us calm. Best of Luck on your next adventure on your life journey. I am sure that leadership has readied your incredible staff for the next Hurricane season."
Debbie Curtis: "Thank you for helping all of us get through the hurricane season and helping us to prepare! I have lived in South Florida for over 40 years and have been through quite a few hurricanes. I was also one of those people who were sitting in my closet with a flaslhlight and a small transistor radio. Listening to a calm voice in the dark was everything. I was also grateful the the batteries in my radio lasted! All the best to you and enjoy your much deserved retirement!! Will miss seeing you at dinner time on the tv in the kitchen Sincerely, Debbie from Delray Beach"
Sandy & Steve Zeoli: "We found you when we moved here in 2012 and you have been our "go-to" weather guy since then. Steve Z. often says "what does Stevie say? Pardon us, if you don't like Stevie, but it is a sign of affection." But, in all our years of watching weather forecasts wherever we've lived, we have never seen a tribute to any weather reporter like you are receiving now. We want to say "thank you, thank you, thank you, ..." for keeping us up-do-date and letting us know how to prepare and what to do, even when a tornado or hurricane or 2 or 3 or 4 is coming our way.
Linda Collins: "I sold my house in September 2023 and moved to PA. I moved to South Florida from NJ in 1983, so I'm very familiar with hurricanes and their impact. While I don't miss South Florida's weather and hurricanes, I do miss Steve's exemplary coverage. Best of luck to you Steve!"
Jane Hall: "While I always love a good snuggle alert, what meant the most was getting me through the hurricanes. My hand as a first responder always had to work, and I also had my mother at home. It was his calming voice and telling me where and when those hurricanes would be that was so helpful. I'll miss him, but forever grateful for a job well done. Thanks so much."
Terri Pendergast: "I have lived in WPB over 20 years and he has always been professional when delivering hurricane and inclement weather info. Thank you."
Dusty Machpherson: "Too many great memories but your caring personality is what I’ll remember most, just love you."
Jennifer Dardano: "Best memory, filming a WPTV promo and getting a surprise from Steve. The surprise was real, I didn’t know he would be there. He is the best and we will miss seeing him every day."
Lorna McConnell: "When I went to Steve’s announced appearance @ 26th St & 14th Ave, prior to his Bike fundraiser. I knew he'd go places. And he did!"
A Johnson: "All the Best Steve You truly embraced my beloved WPB And were the calm steady voice of comfort for those in the storm."
Madelyn Mathias: " So many memories of Steve's excellent, professional, calming weather reporting, especially during the hurricanes! I have watched Steve for 25 years, he is the best!"
Susan Cook: "There is no specific memory to share. I have always felt comfort that Steve was there for us during severe weather. It was a matter of trust that he would give us the information we needed when we needed it. I don't know if anyone can replace that. He has talked us through so many bad situations and I will miss his knowledge, his demeanor and his sense of humor. I'm actually feeling a sense of loss that he won't be a part of my life. Love you, Steve, and wish you all the best."
Annette Day: "We moved to St. Lucie West in June of 2005. It was mere weeks before Hurricane Wilma. We were a bit uneasy at the thought of facing our first Hurricane in Florida. Wilma was a good introduction for us. We, in St. Lucie County were not badly affected. The storm hit the southern towns with more force and we felt like we got a good education. In fact, over the years, we could tell how bad a storm was going to be by Steve's wardrobe. If he had his jacket on and buttoned, we were less afraid. When his jacket came off, we listened more closely and did what needed to be done at our house. If Steve rolled up his sleeves and spoke his warnings, we knew it was serious. So we are happy to say that we faced twenty years of hurricanes with Steve Weagle's advice and we will definitely miss him. Go, enjoy yourself and know that you'll be missed. Thanks for every broadcast!"
Barb Youngling: "In September 2004, my 3 year old son and I rode Hurricane Frances out in a house in Boca Raton we had just moved to 3 months before. My husband was stranded outside of the country with the airports closed. It was my first hurricane down here (I moved here in 1993), and I was terrified. Steve’s steady and calm reporting about Frances got me through the night when the worst of Frances was hitting us for hours. Thank you, Steve! I wish you all the best in your retirement!"
Christina Garrity: "Have lived here 3 years and latched onto Steve as an NBC and weather enthusiast. I watched Steve's coverage of Hurricane Milton and was thankful for the constant updates on the tornados all day until the last about 5 pm. unbelievable reporting on Steve's part. And also realized it was Chris's first day on the job with WPTV."
