ABC30 meteorologist, a prominent on-air presence during COVID-19 pandemic, leaving Fresno

ABC30 is losing one of its meteorologists.

Shayla Girardin announced she is leaving the Fresno ABC affiliate after 3 1/2 years working in the local television market.

“It’s been an honor calling this newsroom and Fresno home,” Girardin wrote on social media. “I’m going to miss the wonderful friends I’ve made over the past years.”

Girardin, a Southern California native, initially came to ABC30 as a reporter, often appearing in the studio or from the field during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic when other TV personalities at the station would broadcast the news from their homes.

In 2021, Girardin was moved primarily into a weather role.

Though Girardin doesn’t have as large of a social media following as previous reporters and anchors who’ve left in recent months, including Carolina Collins and Liv Johnson (previously with KSEE24) and Corin Hoggard (previously with ABC30), Girardin did appear on national TV.

In May 2020, Girardin was interviewed on “LIVE with Kelly and Ryan” to talk about what was like to continue to work during the early stages of the pandemic.

At the time, many people worked remotely prior to a COVID-19 vaccine being distributed.

“I’m still coming into the newsroom every day,” Girardin said then on the national show that’s hosted by Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest . “It’s a very different reality for us for sure. A lot of us are wearing masks, using microphones out on a 6-foot stick so we can keep our social distance from everyone.

“But yeah, I’m in the newsroom every day. Lots of hand sanitizer.”

Girardin, an alumnus of Pepperdine, worked as a reporter in the Colorado Springs market before coming to Fresno.

Girardin’s final days working in Fresno included coverage of last week’s heavy rain and flooding.

“Thank you Central Valley for giving me the chance to share your stories and forecasts!” Girardin wrote.