Busy Morning For Meteorologist Gil Simmons As He Returns To WTNH-TV: VIDEO

After a medical leave that stretched for more than two months, WTNH-TV Chief Meteorologist Gil Simmons returned to the airwaves early Monday morning, happy to be back after the lengthy time away.

"It feels great to be back," Simmons said to anchors Keith Kountz and Jocelyn Maminta, following "the big reveal" of his return. And yes, he kept the beard he grew while recovering and going through physical therapy.

He thanked viewers for the outpouring of support - on social media and with handwritten cards and letters - but quickly segued to an update on tropical storm Jose, which is expected to send high winds, storm surge and possible power outages.

Between morning telecasts Monday, Simmons also gave a Facebook Live update on the pending storm, and again thanked viewers who flooded the comments section with welcome back messages.

"Welcome back Gil....good to see your back. You look GREAT!!" wrote Janet Jamieson Davis.

"Hey Gil -- watching from Port St Lucie Florida -- great to see you," wrote Kathryn Ruggiero.

The morning was a bit of a blur for Simmons, jumping from telecast to telecast to discuss the pending storm, his trademark high-energy presentations never fading.

He was expecting to appear on-air throughout the morning, a long first day back that began at 4:30 a.m.

"You need to take this seriously," Simmons said of storm that will hit Tuesday and Wednesday. While Connecticut might avoid the brunt of the storm, it will still impact the state.

Photos: Screen captures of the 4:30 a.m. broadcast of Channel 8 news, Monday morning, Sept. 18, 2017