Beloved Georgia meteorologist bids farewell after 40 years. ‘Time to hang up my spurs’
After a “surprise” snowstorm morphed the Atlanta metro area into something of a winter wonderland in January 1982, Glenn Burns made it his mission to prepare viewers for any weather event — frozen or otherwise.
Forty years later, Burns is stepping away from forecasting with the bragging right of no more “surprise” storms during his tenure as Channel 2 Action News’ chief meteorologist.
“Now it’s time to hang up my spurs,” he wrote in a letter to the station’s viewers on Thursday, Oct 27. “After a lot of soul searching, I’ve decided to retire. ... I am young enough now and in good health.”
CONGRATS, GLENN! Chief Meteorologist @GlennBurnsWSB just announced he will retire after 40 YEARS at WSB-TV.
We will celebrate Glenn all November long, including a Glenn Burns special on Nov. 6 at 8
p.m. https://t.co/lMIAcUxo7s pic.twitter.com/VxpoZiLZx9— WSB-TV (@wsbtv) October 27, 2022
The beloved weatherman, 70, will officially bid farewell on Nov. 22.
News of Burns’ retirement prompted an outpouring of kind words and well wishes on social media.
“I was covering my first severe weather for WSB back in 2000, and we went into a storm ravaged neighborhood,” WSB-TV reporter Richard Elliot wrote on Twitter. “A lady came out of a wrecked house, saw I was with WSB and immediately said, ‘you tell Glenn Burns, he saved my life.’ That’s Glenn’s legacy.”
The great Glenn Burns is retiring after FORTY years @wsbtv I’ve known this man since I was a 17yo intern. Pure class. Congratulations, friend. @GlennBurnsWSB pic.twitter.com/5YCkFqKgPN
— Justin Farmer (@JustinFarmerWSB) October 28, 2022
Awe @GlennBurnsWSB I'm so sad to hear of your retirement but I wish you & your family the best. Enjoy retirement & know your viewers will miss you #Congratulations #bigwigs #glennburns @wsbtv
— Dee Lucas (@MsLadyOD) October 27, 2022
wsbtv channel 2 action news’ chief meteorologist glenn burns is RETIRING and idk if i’ll ever recover
— candy girl piñata (@kxxvik) October 27, 2022
After 40 years with WSB-TV Glenn Burns is retiring. Help me wish him congratulations on his great career and on his new and exciting next chapter. We are going to miss you here! https://t.co/UVQKrPu7HU pic.twitter.com/HieUnTQmiQ
— Jorge Estevez (@jesteveztv) October 27, 2022
Atlanta! Glenn Burns is retiring! What’re we gonna do?? #ChiefMeteorologistGlennBurns @wsbtv
— Rae The Writer (@WriteAsRae) October 28, 2022
Burns joined WSB-TV’s severe weather team in 1981 after serving as chief meteorologist for KARE-TV in Minneapolis, according to his online biography. Before that, he interned at the National Hurricane Center in Miami and went on to become chief meteorologist at WPTV in West Palm Beach, Florida, where he served for three years.
The Emmy-nominated broadcaster has racked up several awards throughout his career, including Associated Press Weathercaster of the Year and Best of Atlanta, according to the station. He has served alongside beloved Atlanta news veterans including Monica Kaufman Pearson, Brad Nitz and the late Jovita Moore.
As the new chief emeritus, Burns said he’ll step in from time to time to report on significant weather events and weather specials, according to a Facebook post.
“For your loyalty to me and to this incredible TV station, I will be forever grateful,” Burns wrote. “It’s been quite a ride. I will see you again from time to time but I just want you all to know, I’ve never taken your trust for granted.”
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