Weekend meteorologist Pat Cavlin has left News 12 Long Island

Pat Cavlin, the weekend meteorologist for News 12 Long Island, has resigned to take on the role of full-time weekend meteorologist for the Fort Myers, Florida, NBC affiliate WBBH/2. He starts his new job on Jan. 20.

"I was always part time at News 12," said Cavlin, 28, in an interview late Monday, who said he had sought a full-time position when longtime News 12 meteorologist Bill Korbel left after a 25-year run last September. When Samantha Augeri — returning to News 12 after a run at WNYW/5 — was named instead, and a full-time offer was not forthcoming, Cavlin said "NBC came along at the right time and gave me an opportunity to forecast in a different climate and to learn more about tropical forecasting." He added, "but it's tough because this is home for me."

Brooklyn-raised until he was 13, Cavlin grew up in Westbury and went to Holy Trinity High School in Hicksville. After college (SUNY Oswego), he joined News 12 as a part timer, then went to Georgia and returned to News 12 two years ago as weekend/evenings meteorologist. 

He called leaving "bittersweet," but "I was shocked at the outpouring of support I got from viewers. It was honestly overwhelming how many people were upset" after he posted news of his departure on Facebook.