Longtime News12 Meteorologist Bill Korbel Announces Retirement

After 25 years on the air, News12 Long Island meteorologist Bill Korbel announced that he is retiring. Sept. 27 will be his last day on the air.

Korbel, who lives in Merrick, started his television career with News12 in 1993, and has been on the air with the station since.

"This was not an easy decision but it is one I had to make," Korbel wrote on his Facebook page. "Time to set off on a new life journey. It’s been a great run."

Korbel was born in Flushing, but grew up in East Meadow. He attended college at NYU and then joined the Air Force as a weather officer, serving 28 years as active duty and reserve, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. He served stateside and in Asia, and served two years as the weather forecaster for Air Force One.

He started his news career with WCBS News Radio 88, where he spent 15 years on the program "Rambling with Gambling."

"As Kenny Rogers sang in 'The Gambler,' 'You got to know when to hold ‘em, know when to fold ‘em, know when to walk away,'" Korbel wrote on Facebook. "Well, it’s time to fold ‘em and walk away."