NORFOLK, Va. — After serving as 13News Now's chief meteorologist for 33 years, Jeff Lawson announced Friday that he will retire next month.
"My wife recently retired after 40 years of teaching, and we plan to travel quite a bit while we still have the energy and a lack of commitments," Lawson said in a post on Facebook Friday afternoon.
Lawson arrived at WVEC in 1990 after working as a meteorologist at WWBT in Richmond and Fox 5 in D.C. Before that, he worked at private companies doing forecasts for ski resorts, radio stations, school systems and even other TV weather forecasters who were not meteorologists.
When you combine his experience, Jeff has been forecasting continuously for Hampton Roads for 43 years — longer than any meteorologist in the history of the region. Over the years, he was voted not just Hampton Roads' favorite meteorologist, but to the all-time Dream Team of Hampton Roads anchors.
"It's amazing how this station and this community have become home," he said. "When people ask where I'm from, I tell them Hampton Roads. I've lived here longer than everywhere else combined."
"Thanks for letting me into your homes for all these years," Lawson continued. "Thanks for being so supportive through the tough times, as well as celebrating the good times with me. From my broken neck, and the brace I had to wear on the air for six weeks, to two surgeries to remove parts of my tongue that were cancerous, you’ve been there for me and my family."
"I've gotten to meet thousands of you over the years, and I hope you will continue to say 'hi' if you see me out and about, but I leave you in good hands."
Lawson shared his message with Hampton Roads during Friday night's 6 p.m. newscast of 13News Now. He's also revealed who will take over his role at the station: Tim Pandajis, who is returning to Norfolk and WVEC on November 6.
Pandajis is no stranger to Hampton Roads — he first joined the 13News Now family in 2016 as Daybreak meteorologist and spent 5 years with the station until accepting a post at our sister station, KHOU in Houston, Texas. After three years away, he's excited to return as chief meteorologist.
"From Joe Foulkes to me, 13News Now has a long history of Chief Meteorologists who have stayed for decades. I know that Tim has what it takes to continue that tradition, and I hope you will join me in welcoming him back to Hampton Roads," Lawson said.
"I can't forget the rest of the weather team — between Craig Moeller and Evan Stewart, they have 50 years experience forecasting here, and I know that they will continue to be great teammates for Tim as part of Hampton Roads certified most accurate weather team," Jeff said. "Meanwhile, Frances and Taylor will also continue to do great work, and hopefully you will see them for years to come, as well."
Tim was born, raised and educated in Connecticut. He is a graduate of Western Connecticut State University, where he received a B.S. in Meteorology, and Virginia Tech, where he completed his Master’s degree in Natural Resources and Global Sustainability. He also holds the American Meteorological Society’s Certified Broadcast Meteorologist Seal.
Tim's wife, Martha, and their pups, Savannah and Jackson, look forward to returning to Virginia and joining Tim’s sister and parents, who also live in the area.
"I’m honored to take over the reins from arguably one of the best meteorologists in the business — Jeff Lawson — as he begins his well-deserved retirement," Pandajis said. "I’ve learned a lot from him and look forward to continuing the high standard of forecasting for Hampton Roads and northeast North Carolina."
"I also look forward to working with the entire 13News Now Weather Team again," he said in a Facebook post. "The individual strengths and expertise that both Evan and Craig bring are immeasurable, and key to our team’s success. I also look forward to working with newer talented members of our team, Taylor and Frances!"
Jeff Lawson's last day at WVEC will be November 15.