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Glenn “Hurricane” Schwartz has seen and foreseen it all.
NBC10’s longtime chief meteorologist is due to sign off for the final time this week, after 27 years at the station. Schwartz’s time at NBC Philadelphia is part of 42 years of work in TV news — and a half century of work in the field.
It’s fitting that his longest tenured role is in the city where he was born and raised, but Schwartz did have a significant impact on the wider industry.
For instance, from the 1982 founding of The Weather Channel until 1986, the station hadn’t actually ventured outdoors to cover intense weather. When Hurricane Elena hit Florida, Glenn “begged” for the chance to step out into the storm, and was buffeted by wind on all sides. The segment birthed his nickname — and the now-routine “in the storm” coverage.
A graduate of Central High and Penn State (where he missed commencement because of, no joke, a hurricane), Schwartz spent the early years of his career in Atlanta, on local news and TWC.
By the time he made his way back to Philly in 1995, he was a seasoned pro, ready to guide residents in the Delaware Valley through events like the Blizzard of 1996, Hurricane Sandy, assorted heat waves, cold snaps, and everything in between.
From his reputation as a Philly sports fanatic to his passion for fashion — particularly his signature bowtie — Philadelphians and regional neighbors have learned plenty about Schwartz over the years. As he heads towards a final broadcast, it’s clear he hopes to keep sharing with his neighbors.
In a statement issued alongside the retirement announcement, he wrote, “I’m interested in a lot of things, including continuing to write and to expand my other communications with the public on our shared destiny: the Climate Emergency.”
So it won’t be on NBC10 anymore, but Hurricane Schwartz is still aiming to watch the earth, ever ready to dispatch what he learns on his unceasing meteorological journey.
Here are a few memorable moments from his storied career.
Classic ’90s EarthWatch ‘Seinfeld’ promo (w/John Bolaris)
Hurricane Schwartz meets Scarecrow Schwartz at Peddler’s Village
Schwartz discusses potential wind-harnessing redesigns at Citizens Bank Park
A look back, including footage as The Weather Channel’s first Storm Chaser
