WINK News Chief Meteorologist Jim Farrell announces retirement

A legendary member of the WINK News team has announced his retirement. After 29 years, Chief Meteorologist Jim Farrell will leave WINK next month.

Jim started at WINK News in 1992 and built a reputation of reliable weather forecasting that is second to none.

Jim’s straightforward just-the-facts approach helped calm our Southwest Florida community during many natural disasters.

Perhaps none as significant as Hurricane Charley’s infamous turn.

While others focused on a Tampa Bay landfall, Jim noticed a wobble and told Southwest Florida to get ready. No doubt saving lives.

We of course can’t forget hurricanes Wilma, Irma, Eta, and so many many other tropical events – and those severe summer storms.

Each event solidified the trust Southwest Florida places on Jim’s shoulders. And that includes the trust of our newsroom.

Jim has mentored countless meteorologists over the past 29 years who are now serving communities all over the country.

But this community can’t say thank you enough to Jim.

We’ll have more on Jim in the coming weeks as we reluctantly say goodbye.

You can say goodbye to him too! Email a short video to submissions@winknews.com and we’ll include it in a farewell to Farrell video.