Newsday hires Geoff Bansen as full-time meteorologist as media group expands weather coverage

Newsday Media Group is adding its first full-time meteorologist as part of a planned expansion of weather coverage on NewsdayTV, executives announced Tuesday. 

The Melville-based media business has hired meteorologist Geoff Bansen to provide forecasts and other weather information on weekdays. He will also provide coverage of hurricanes, snowstorms and other major weather events.

“NewsdayTV is excited to announce that with the hiring of Geoff Bansen as full-time meteorologist we will be offering expanded weather coverage to our viewers,” said Bobby Cassidy, the company’s executive director of multimedia.

“Geoff will be seen throughout the day on NewsdayTV, as well as during weather events, giving our viewers the weather information they need to know for their daily routines,” Cassidy said in a statement.

Bansen, 37, of Huntington, isn’t a stranger to the NewsdayTV audience. He covered many of last winter’s storms, including February’s blizzard, as a freelancer.

“I bring a very level-headed, fair approach to the weather, not hyping but at the same time stressing that urgency when it’s needed,” he said in an interview. “I do it in a very relatable way that gets the point across by talking to the viewer as if we were having a cup of coffee down at the corner store.”

Previously, Bansen worked as an on-air and off-air meteorologist for ABC News, a meteorologist for Boston 25 television and chief meteorologist at the ABC affiliate in Providence, Rhode Island. He also worked at News12 Long Island as a digital meteorologist.

Bansen was raised in Lindenhurst and earned his bachelor’s degree in atmospheric sciences and meteorology at Stony Brook University. He also received certification as a broadcast meteorologist from the American Meteorological Society.

“As someone who grew up reading Newsday, a company that holds itself to a very high journalistic standard, and to be part of this new TV endeavor is very exciting for me,” Bansen said.

Newsday executives said Tuesday Bill Korbel, News12’s longtime chief meteorologist, will continue to contribute to NewsdayTV. Korbel retired from News12 in 2019.

Newsday launched NewsdayTV on March 20, 2023, and it’s available on newsday.com and via major streaming services.

There are two newscasts each weekday at 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., plus coverage of live events and special programming. The specials include “Out East with Doug Geed,” “Island Insider,” “Sarra Sounds Off” and “It’s Your Business.” Some of the specials also air on Long Island’s PBS affiliate WLIW, Channel 21.

By James T. Madore

james.madore@newsday.comJamesTMadore

James T. Madore writes about Long Island business news including the economy, development, and the relationship between government and business. He previously served as Albany bureau chief.