What is life after WCBS radio like for meteorologist Craig Allen?

Veteran radio and TV weather forecaster Craig Allen was named the "official meteorologist and weather historian" for Old Bethpage's Museum of American Armor last week, which raises a question or two.

Inarguably New York's (and Long Island's) hardest-working broadcast meteorologist, the Merrick native ended a 43-year run at WCBS/880 AM radio last summer when the beloved station fell under the ax of Philadelphia-based corporate parent Audacy. During those four decades, Allen had also worked on TV at WCBS/2, WNYW/5, "CBS This Morning," WPIX/11 and News 12, and for years at a stretch, was on the air seven days a week — for 880 from 5 to 10 a.m. and 4 to 7 p.m., then on TV weekends or late nights.

It all came crashing down Aug. 26, when WCBS Newsradio 880 ended 57 years of operation. Just days later, during a doctor's visit, Allen was diagnosed with a mitral valve prolapse, which sidelined him from his freelance gigs. Allen suddenly found himself in an unwelcome place — convalescing and on the beach.

He spoke with Newsday recently about that beach, his health and the new gig. The following was edited for clarity and length:
 

What are you doing right now?

I've got a couple things going — CBS News Radio started calling again and asked for briefings when there was wild weather anywhere in the country, and I'm doing the same type of work for Bloomberg Radio, which is mostly on in the morning, but after 7 or so, we do Zoom calls, so we're talking face to face on YouTube and on TV. That's been very enjoyable. And I've been filling in Saturday and Sunday nights at 6 and 11 at Channel 2. [Lonnie Quinn, WCBS/2's chief meteorologist, stepped away in March to recover from a concussion.]

Your own health issues?

In my 40s, 50s and early 60s, my cardiologist told me I had PVCs [premature ventricular contractions] and was told to keep watching this. Then when I had a mitral valve prolapse — blood backing up into the chamber — I remember my cardiologist's exact words: do [surgery] expeditiously. It was fateful. Before I didn't have time to go running to the doctors, then suddenly 880 went away, and I [did]. The initial recovery was short, and then I had two major setbacks — pericarditis [inflammation of the pericardium, the membrane that surrounds the heart]. That knocked me for a loop. But by Thanksgiving, I went back to Channel 2 and said I'll give it a try and started filling in for others on vacation.

What does a museum meteorologist do exactly?

I've done things with [Uniondale-based] Cradle of Aviation Museum and the American Air Power Museum at Republic [Airport in East Farmingdale], but Gary [Lewi, a Museum of American Armor trustee] reminded me, "You have no idea how much weather has played a part in American history" and he's absolutely right. I am astounded by relearning, for example, how the weather played a role in the Battle of the Bulge, and how many [soldiers] we lost because we were not prepared for that particular winter. Gary said "I want you to bring in educators, teachers, to give them an idea of what this is all about."

WCBS 880's closing was painful. Your thoughts eight months later?

I'm still getting letters and responses on Facebook and Instagram about how much they [listeners] miss 880. So much anger, anxiety and sadness — anxiety that their routines have changed and sadness that they're just not hearing us anymore. We became family for sure because they heard us for so long and knew we were talking to them on the other end.
 

Ever think of retirement?

My life is different now and I miss what it was — because it was as set in stone as anything could be for over 40 years. Don't get me wrong, I love sleeping late, but this is all very, very different for me and I'm still trying to get used to it. Nevertheless, I'm enjoying what I'm doing and always say to people who ask, I'm not ready for the mic drop yet.