JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The Jacksonville City Council honored Channel 4's hurricane expert, George Winterling, for his 47 years of service to the community as chief meteorologist at the station.

Council members passed a resolution recognizing and commending Winterling's work. Last month, he transitioned to his new role as hurricane expert and meteorologist emeritus, after serving as chief meteorologist for nearly five decades. The resolution thanked Winterling for his numerous contributions to the community, including his forecasting, his gardening tips, his public appearances, and much more.

During the Tuesday evening meeting, the council read the resolution, and honored Winterling with a standing ovation. He then addressed the council, thanking them, the community, and several people he considered role models during his long career in Jacksonville.

RESOLUTION 2009-396-A
A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AND COMMENDING GEORGE WINTERLING FOR HIS FORTY-SEVEN YEARS OF DEDICATED PUBLIC SERVICE AS CHIEF METEOROLOGIST AT WJXT; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, George Winterling, originally from New Jersey, came to Jacksonville at the age of ten, and he attended local schools before joining the United States Air Force, where he received training in the field of meteorology, the field destined to become his lifelong passion; and
WHEREAS, upon discharge from the United States Air Force, Mr. Winterling continued his academic studies at Jacksonville Junior College, now known as Jacksonville University, and then at Florida State University, where he received his degree in meteorology prior to beginning his career as a meteorologist with what is today called the National Weather Service; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Winterling approached WJXT, local Channel 4, in 1962 with what was at that time a novel idea of having a meteorologist deliver the weather forecasts, and he soon gained fame as the only local weathercaster to accurately predict Hurricane Dora coming ashore near Jacksonville in 1964; and
WHEREAS, George Winterling’s long and storied career involving weather, environmental experiences, and gardening tips is punctuated with untold innovations and firsts, as well as numerous national honors and awards, including achievement of Certified Consulting Meteorologist status with the American Meteorological Society, and he is well-known and respected for his timely and accurate forecasting skills while under pressure from imminent danger to the community, but he will always be remembered as a beloved and trusted friend for his unique ability to make complex meteorological concepts simple, understandable, personal, and particularly enjoyable to the average television viewer; and
WHEREAS, in addition to being a household name due to his television duties, George Winterling has welcomed and enjoyed innumerable opportunities to meet with tens of thousands of area residents through public appearances and school visits, and his faithful dedication to serving, informing, and protecting the citizens of the greater Jacksonville area has made him worthy of both emulation and honor; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of Jacksonville:
Section 1. The City Council does hereby recognize and commend George Winterling for his forty-seven years of dedicated public service as chief meteorologist at WJXT.
Section 2. The City Council does further thank Mr. Winterling for his unfailing commitment to keeping the residents of the greater Jacksonville community apprised of the latest weather-related news and developments, wishing for him much personal success and happiness in his new role at WJXT as severe weather and hurricane expert, and in all his future endeavors.
Section 3. This resolution shall become effective upon signature by the Mayor or upon becoming effective without the Mayor's signature.