Joe Bastardi resigns at Accuweather after 32 years

From Joe Bastardi’s Fan Page at Facebook:

Farewell to Joe Bastardi who has left AccuWeather after a distinguished 32-year career. We appreciate Joe’s dedicated service to our clients over these many years and wish him luck with all his endeavors. In addition, a hearty congratulations to two great meteorologists who will both be taking on expanded roles — Paul Pastelok is now leader of AccuWeather’s Long-Range Forecasting team and Henry Margusity is taking an expanded role with the Pro site.

We can answer any (reasonable) questions here (at the Facebook page). Thanks for your support over the years.

Further info from Examiner.com:

“AccuWeather.com community director Jesse Ferrell stated in the AccuWeather forums that he has not spoken to Joe [Bastardi] and does not know his reasoning, or what he is planning to do next.”

And, in the comments section, Jesse Ferrell left a note:  “Can definitively say that his stance on Climate Change did not have anything to do with his departure.”

[Addition by Anthony below]

“Can definitively say that his stance on Climate Change did not have anything to do with his departure.” I’ve been aware of Bastardi’s departure since early last week, and I can second that. It’s simply about economics and workload.

Though, that doesn’t stop Joe Romm from spinning into a “climate related” issue, insinuating that Bastardi was “let go” over Romm’s idiotic postings about Bastardi’s views on climate change. Heh, it’s fun to watch the self delusion going on over there.

No, this is all about new opportunity. Mr. Bastardi can forecast without a net, he doesn’t need Accu-Weather to perform the job, only data.

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Dave
February 22, 2011 2:40 am

This from Jesse Farrell on Twitter…
“I personally am devastated that Joe B. is leaving AccuWeather. He was a pleasure to work with over 14 years. However I wish him the best. “

RR Kampen
February 22, 2011 3:14 am

Wait a year, then Bastardi will inform us how he misinformed the world about AGW and why he did.

Jimbo
February 22, 2011 3:23 am

Joes last blog post reads:

A NEW MONDAY SEA ICE REPORT IS ON ALONG WITH SOME CHILLING FACTS ABOUT THE GLOBAL TEMP.
http://www.accuweather.com/ukie/bastardi-europe-blog.asp

And that’s it!

February 22, 2011 3:26 am

I wish him all the best and good luck with his new endeavours, which I’m sure will be climate related.
Pointman

February 22, 2011 3:33 am

Hope to see you around soon Joe. You are a champion.

art johnson
February 22, 2011 3:38 am

A guy like Joe would not leave without a new deal in progress. He’s as passionate about the weather as a man can be. And he’s in a position to get big money these days.
There were signs, if you were paying attention. He complained regularly about the lack of movable type, as well as the increasing lack of time to do the things he wanted to do with the weather/ Yesterday’s long ranger had Joe looking a bit pale and sounding strained. I’m supposing he hadn’t dropped his bomb yet.
I foung things to criticize about Joe (those lame jokes and puns would often drive me nuts), and I don’t care what anyone says, he DOES have a tendency toward hyping storms, but over the time I subscribed to the Pro Site (a subsciption I immediately canceled), I’ve come to respect the man greatly…
That he gave no notice, argues for a very unhappy employee. And the “we wish Joe the best of luck in his future endeavors” is classic corporate-speak for “screw-you.”
Sad day, but he’ll be back sooner rather than later I’m guessing, and at a place where he’s appreciated more..

John A
February 22, 2011 3:46 am

Bryan Short:

I always point out that I am a proud liberal member of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor party… because I think it shows that all political perspectives can respect a great weather forecaster. And as a liberal, I can’t tell you how disgusted I get with Climate Progress. Joe Romm and his legion of panic-ridden alarmist doomsdayers truly are nothing more than a stain of you know what on the underwear of life.

Well said, Bryan, well said.

AusieDan
February 22, 2011 3:52 am

Anthony – a regular post from Joe is now as must.
Good luck Joe.

February 22, 2011 4:16 am

They have even disabled his email, which is a shame as we have corresponded in the past and I wanted to wish him the best. I do not want to break house rules about commenting, and hope you will allow me to express those wishes here:
Joe
Just saw your resignation from Accuweather reported on WUWT.
I checked out your Accuweather European weather blog website and found only a headline. Man, I know I’m not the only one who will ask you this – will you continue that blog at another site, and where can I find it (or its replacement)? This world needs you…
Lastly but not least, I wish you every success in whatever you do now and in the future.
Warm regards
JJ
P.S. Check out the comments in the WUWT report. You have the support of many like me.

Green Sand
February 22, 2011 4:21 am

Good luck Joe!
Make sure that you enjoy life, it’s the only life you’ve got!

geoff
February 22, 2011 4:29 am

I am a Joe junkie. I needed my daily fix and hope he shows up somewhere where we can see his good work again. He is very credible and we will, in coming years, see that his long range predictions are ‘right on’.

Rick K
February 22, 2011 4:37 am

Joe, you were always a breath of fresh air. Please keep your voice of reason and sanity front and center somewhere.

Jack Simmons
February 22, 2011 4:48 am

I’ll have to follow him to his new site.
Here’s a forecaster with a track record that is the envy of many.

Mycroft
February 22, 2011 5:00 am

Sad day for the “Realists”e mailed Joe on a couple of occassions and got replys, fancy Accuweather traffic will take a hit,
What ever you going to do Joe hope you continue to be as you are and don’t change your style for anyone, your a breath of fresh air in world of rotten science and stinking
ideology .
Come back…. soon and keep on punching
Dave S.
Exeter, Devon.

Pull My Finger
February 22, 2011 5:21 am

I have a feeling he will make out quite well. AccuWeather is notoriously cheap.

February 22, 2011 5:31 am

Is Joe the new weather desk guy at FNC? Seems to be a trending.
Personally, I hope so, all the best Joe.

INGSOC
February 22, 2011 5:39 am

I can only hope that Joe will be even more accessible wherever he ends up. His reports were a refreshing change from the propaganda we get daily from “news” people. He possesses something I value greatly in a media personality; integrity. There are few others that live and breathe this quality–Mr Watts also comes to mind when talking of integrity–and I will be very disappointed should Joe end up behind a pay wall. Regardless, I wish Joe all the best in his future endeavours, and will perhaps look forward to more articles appearing here in these fine pages?
All the best uncle Joe!

UK Sceptic
February 22, 2011 5:44 am

Good luck, Joe. Whever you are going keep telling the weather and climate like it is.

mcfarmer
February 22, 2011 5:52 am

I just saved $20 plus dollars a month. I was going to subscribe to Accuweather to get Joes long range forecast.. I guess I should be happy. I’ll be watching and waiting to see where I can get Joe’s forecasts. I don’t need a global cooling/La nina induced drougth this summer because I’m a farmer.

Latitude
February 22, 2011 6:05 am

I stopped bedwetterunderground and everything else but Joe about a year ago….
I wish him the very best, and hope he surfaces somewhere fast so I can find him and his forecasts

G Cracker
February 22, 2011 6:15 am

I have been watching (listening) to Joe since the Glen Scott days at WSJS radio. As Glen would say “Joe Bastardi the worlds greatest weatherman” ! I hope he lets us know where he goes so I can continue to follow him. I guess its time to terminate my subscription to Accuweather Pro as he is the only reason I am a subscriber.

G. Karst
February 22, 2011 6:41 am

I noticed WUWT, has accu-weather labeled as a lukewarm site. This has not been true for about a year. Their climate change blog was hijacked by Jesse Ferrell and Brett Anderson, at that time. Skeptics were quickly banned and warmist dominates, however, a few skeptics remain and provide some alternative views. The dismissal (resignation?) of Joe Bastardi was just more writing on the wall. I often wonder if the Meyers brothers are aware of how this company has been removed from the climate change debate.
They are irrelevant now and can be safely removed from debate bookmarks. I have instructed my own affiliates to not renew any new contracts with AW, at least until there is a change in moderators and corporate mind-set. GK

c james
February 22, 2011 6:50 am

I have been a fan of Joe for many years and watched his videos on a daily basis. You could sense in the past couple of blogs that something was not quite right. His desire to spend more time as a father began to stand out more and more with each post. I applaud his decision to be a father and husband first and a meteorologist second. His workload must have been unbearable at AccuWx.
Joe, you know more about long range forecasting than any other person I have ever met and I truly wish you the very best. I hope your discussions are available again soon. Enjoy some time off first. But did you see the Euro forecast from yesterday of a 968mb low over Lake Huron. Wow!

Henry chance
February 22, 2011 6:55 am

It seemed to me his forecasts were accurate and didn’t contain warming warnings. That would make him unpopular with the political folks.
He was excellent. He will be sought after. Maybe Koch bros could start a company for him.

February 22, 2011 7:03 am

Joe Romm never quits with the propaganda. It’s propaganda first, conscience optional.