Allen Media Broadcasting, which operates 27 broadcast television stations in 21 U.S. markets, has announced plans to begin using “local weather coverage powered by The Weather Channel across local markets nationwide.”

Will that mean layoffs for the meteorologists at those stations, including two in Huntsville and Montgomery?

At least one media report states the move will lead to nearly 100 layoffs at local news stations around the country.

“For now I am still at the station but I am looking for my next career opportunity,” Amber Kulick of WAAY in Huntsville posted on Facebook.

“I know my management team has done everything they can to make this better but this is at a corporate level so please don’t bad mouth WAAY on this post. I’ll land on my feet I always do,” added Kulick, who said she hopes to continue working in the Huntsville area.

Allen Media, which also operates WCOV in Montgomery, said it plans to roll out the “innovative partnership based at The Weather Channel’s Atlanta headquarters” sometime this year.

“Severe weather coverage remains a top priority, and the new format will dramatically improve reporting capabilities, especially in high-stakes weather situations. This initiative aims to transform the way local weather is reported — ensuring the most accurate, timely, and engaging forecasts for communities across the country,” a press release from Allen Media Broadcasting stated.

ABC 33/40′s James Spann weighed in on the news, which did not affect him directly as his station is owned by Sinclair Broadcast Group.

“I hate that so many colleagues are involved in this, but at the same time I am excited about our future. All businesses change, and ours is no exception. I have on this horse for 47 years, and it has been a great ride. But media consumption is radically different now, and we have to change how our products and services reach you,” Spann posted on Facebook.

“Yes, there will be short term pain, but there will be long term gain,” Spann added.

The news has caused some concern about the stations losing the ability to get critical weather information out to local audiences.

“Local meteorologists on TV are a trusted face, not only because they know their science, but also because they’re a member of that community,” Zach Stanford, a former state coordinator for crisis information and disaster intelligence for the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management, told NPR. “The community component has to be thought through to make sure that that critical service is not lost.”

A change.org petition with more than 31,000 signatures was started in Tupelo, Miss. to stop layoffs at WTVA.

“Removal of our local meteorological team means losing the trust and confidence built over the years, and replacing them with outsourced teams who may not fully understand the unique weather patterns in our locality. In times of severe weather, immediate and accurate information is not a luxury—it’s a necessity,” the petition states.