Jerry Tracey, chief meteorologist at NBC 13 in Birmingham, is retiring in December after 35 years at WVTM, the station announced Monday.

“I am incredibly grateful to my friends and colleagues through the last 35-plus years here at WVTM 13, and to all the wonderful people across central Alabama,” Tracey said in a statement. “You all make my life so much more rewarding, and I truly thank all of you for making me feel like I am part of your family. When severe weather threatens, I want to make sure my community family, along with my immediate family, stay safe. That’s how I approach my weather forecasts, and I thank you for watching and trusting me all these years.”

Tracey, who holds the record at the Birmingham station as the longest-tenured chief meteorologist, first went on the air at WVTM in 1987. He has covered some of the region’s most severe weather events, including the 1993 blizzard and the 2011 tornado outbreak.

He has also represented the station by visiting hundreds of schools to teach about forecasting, and co-hosted the Children’s Miracle Network Broadcast from 1989 to 2006.

“Jerry has been the calming voice during tumultuous days of terrifying weather events for 35 years. He has dedicated his career to keeping the people of Central Alabama prepared for and safe from severe weather,” WVTM 13 News Director Baylor Long said in a statement. “While his professional accolades are worthy of celebration, it is Jerry’s humility and service to viewers and his colleagues that will be missed the most.”