After more than three decades, Cecily Tynan delivers her final forecast for 6abc
“I may be retiring," Tynan said in a farewell message to viewers, "but I know I will always be part of the Action News team.
The long-term forecast for 6abc? No more Cecily Tynan.
The beloved meteorologist offered her final weather report on Action News Monday night, capping off a career spanning three decades as one of Philadelphia’s most-watched personalities.
Tynan choked up as she thanked 6abc for giving her a chance nearly 31 years ago and praised her colleagues for letting her be her “authentic self” as she rose up the ranks from weekend weather anchor to become the station’s first meteorologist.
“We’ve been through so much together,” Tynan said before ticking off major storms like the record snowstorm of January ‘96 and Superstorm Sandy in 2012. “But after I leave here, that’s not what I will remember the most. I’ll be thinking about just how much fun I’ve had here for more than three decades now.”
“I may be retiring, and you won’t see me here on the news anymore, but I know I will always be part of the Action News team,” Tynan added. “And I thank you for that.”
Tynan devoted most of her farewell message to thanking viewers across the Delaware Valley, who have followed her career – and weather forecasts – for more than a generation.
“I’ve met families who’ve been watching Action News for several generations. Most people in this area can sing the Action News theme song, and I’ve even met several young Cecily’s named after me,” Tynan said. “What an honor.”
Among those on hand to celebrate Tynan’s final broadcast was retired Action News anchor Jim Gardner, a Philly media institution in his own right who trekked back to his former studio to celebrate his former TV partner.
“The viewers will miss her terribly,” Gardner said. “She such a compelling television personality who really owns the screen when she’s on camera. The rest of us just appeared on TV.”
“I’m not sure people give her enough credit for being a scientist, which is what she is first and foremost,” Gardner added. “She’s so committed to keeping viewers safe and informed when the weather presents serious challenges.”
» READ MORE: 6abc’s Cecily Tynan discusses her surprise retirement, sealed after a brief bout with vertigo
Tynan’s other longtime partner, current Action News anchor Rick Williams, was there in 1995 when she first joined the station fresh off a stint in Las Vegas. Nearly 31 years later, Williams offered a heartfelt goodbye during the 5 p.m. newscast to his “closest friend,” though the two couldn’t avoid cracking a joke or two.
“You’re my work husband,” Tynan said.
“And we’re getting divorced,” Williams shot back.
Despite retiring relatively young at 57, Tynan has no immediate plans, outside of splitting her time between her Delaware County home and waterskiing at her second house in Florida with her husband, Greg. She even turned down a chance to host the Thanksgiving parade one final time so she could spend the holiday with her family.
“We’ve always been in a hotel by the parade route, and I’ve never actually cooked,” Tynan told The Inquirer last month. “This year I was like, ‘No, I’m going to stay home. I’m going to cook Thanksgiving dinner from scratch.’ Hopefully my family appreciates it.”
Tynan’s departure is the latest in a string of exits in recent years by some of the city’s most-beloved and longest-serving media personalities.
Tracy Davidson retired from NBC10 last year after nearly 30 years with the station, while Jim Donovan said goodbye to CBS3 after 22 years. Muckraker Jeff Cole also walked away from the spotlight last year after spending 25 years with Fox 29.
They were all preceded by Gardner, who delivered his final newscast nearly four years ago.
“Retirement is a thief, if you ask me,” longtime 6abc anchor Brian Taff joked on social media.
6abc hasn’t yet announced who will replace Tynan as the station’s chief meteorologist on the 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. editions of Action News. The obvious candidates are 6abc veterans Karen Rogers and Adam Joseph, both of whom have spent more than 20 years on Action News.
“Channel 6 is so much bigger than any individual, and it will continue on with extremely talented people doing the weather,” Gardner said. “But there’s only one Cecily Tynan.”
