Al Roker returned to the “Today” show on Friday for the first time since blood clots in his leg and lungs sent him to the hospital.

The weatherman, 68, returned for the first time in two months to the NBC.

“The countdown is over,” Savannah Guthrie explained Friday. “After nearly 2 months away, Al is ready to re-join us here in Studio 1A and we cannot wait to throw our arms around our ray of sunshine. It is a really special day… and I’m sorry because the tears are already flowing, because Al Roker is back!”

Roker joined Guthrie and Hoda Kotb to applause by the crew.

“I have missed you guys so very much. You are my second family and it’s just great to be back — and wearing pants!” Roker joked.

“To say we have missed you doesn’t even begin to describe it,” Guthrie said. “It is nothing without you here.”

“The crew is weapy,” said Kotb. “The crowd outside, they’ve been waiting for you. They’ve been bummed every day we walk out there like, ‘Where is Al?’ “

“As much as we missed you, Al, I think the plaza missed you even more,” Guthrie later said, as fans outside held signs of Roker’s face and the words “Welcome Back” in large letter. “Signs for you. They are your people!”

Check it out below.

Mark Heim is a sports reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim.