KSBW's Lead Forecaster Ready to Retire... The "Happy" and "Sad" for All...

25 miles in radius from Fremont Peak, situated in San Martin just one mile outside the Morgan Hill city limits is where I can easily reach KSBW via a small antenna, and that is why I do have a better reception from the Central Coast than from the Bay Area. However, San Martin is part of Santa Clara County, which itself is in the Bay Area DMA instead of the Central Coast DMA. As I do get ready to see major changes in the weather department at KSBW, it's time for me to also take a moment to hear what memories Jim Vanderswaan, the chief forecaster (known as the "lead forecaster" to his definition), has in my own mind.

KSBW's president and general manager, Joesph W. Heston, have responded to my Facebook wall posts on their page a couple of times. But this time, it's time for me to recall some of my memories of the fun that Vanderswaan has, both in seeing promos and in his funny moments on doing the weather.


THE BRIEF MEMORIES OF THE LEAD FORECASTER

Vanderswaan has been doing the forecasts since 1983, nearly two years after Dennis Lehnen (sports director) came to the station. The two combined would have a total of over 60 years of experience. Vanderswaan has been doing promos with Lehnen a couple of times in the 1990s. It's not only the promos that aired on "the big 8," but also one piece that also is considered his commitment to the community. So here are the three brief things that I think should be worth to watch from the past...

The first thing that came into mind was his "weather rap" promo that aired around 1995 with the kids doing all the singing. I was not the knowledgeable person as a kid during the time, but seeing the promo was kind of entertaining to the viewer who is a fan of Vanderswaan.

The second piece involved both Vanderswaan and Lehnen in a promo of which at an undisclosed location, they were having dinner and all of a sudden, they were put in the spotlight as local celebrates.

The third piece involves his commitment to "Share Your Holiday" and his knowledge of his moments with viewers who stopped by his booth in Hollister near Fire Station #2.


THE FUTURE OF THE WEATHER, STATION

With Lee Solomon transferring to Chief Meteorologist and Art Jarrett going to weekday mornings from weekend evenings, it is unknown who is going to replace Jarrett on weekend evenings. One of the weather specialists, Phil Frame, who I saw on TV several times on "the big 8," is one thing I would have considered, but it is anyone's guess of who's filling in the weekend morning slot as well. So who's going to replace Vanderswaan on "Share Your Holiday" when he's already retired from KSBW? No one knows just yet, but time will tell as the event draws closer.

As for the future of KSBW, I hope that one day, the station will have a better picture and clarity to tell the weather and news in glorious high definition, somethings that Vanderswaan won't be doing as part of his retirement. My personal wishes is that the entire news team would interact on Twitter so viewers can see. For now, I will give my hats off to Jim Vanderswaan, who passes on the torch to Lee Solomon and Art Jarrett, respectively (who I hope that the two will also be on Twitter soon), plus whoever is doing the weekend forecasts.

Happy retirement, Jim Vanderswaan!

NOTES SINCE ORIGINAL POST (6/5):
1. Ferdaland Holum will be doing the weekend evening forecast. Jonathan Bass has been seen doing the weekend morning forecast; Phil Frame will still fill-in (6/10).

2. Minor additions to the blog since the original edit.

Original Work: Kyle Chak
E-mail: chak595301@gmail.com
Twitter: @KyleSChak