Longtime Colorado meteorologist Mike Nelson has announced his retirement after a decades-long career. Nelson, currently the chief meteorologist at KMGH, announced his final broadcast will be Dec. 12. "I am retiring, but not just yet! My final broadcast will be on 12/12/24 - it has a nice ring to it. Add up those numbers, they equal 48, which is how long I have been in TV," Nelson posted on social media. "It has been a privilege to tell you about the weather and climate change!" Nelson was the chief meteorologist at 9NEWS for 13 years from 1991 to 2004 and has been at KMGH for 20 years. He also worked in St. Louis and Madison, Wisconsin, before coming to Colorado. Nelson, a winner of 18 Emmy Awards, has also been known for his hundreds of school visits where his "tornado dance" became part of growing up in Colorado. "Mike was a steady presence for 9NEWS viewers during the years he worked with us, including some major weather events," said 9NEWS executive news director Tim Ryan. "We have always wished him well and hope he has a great time when he leaves his TV weather role later this year. All the best Mike!" "Mike Nelson is a mentor and friend," said 9NEWS chief meteorologist Kathy Sabine. "Mike was the gold standard in meteorology when I arrived in Denver in 1993 for a weekend weather position. Mike taught me a lot about Colorado weather and the challenge of forecasting here along with the importance of connecting with the community and kids, future meteorologists. "I will be forever grateful for the meteorology lessons and the jump start in my career after working alongside him and the best weather team in Colorado," Sabine added. "Thank you Mike and Congratulations on an amazing career! Best wishes on this next chapter!" "I've known Mike Nelson ever since he came to town, and I worked with him at Channel 9 for five years," said 9NEWS meteorologist Ed Greene. "At other times, he was the competition. But Mike has always been not only a good guy but a knowledgeable one, as well. Of course, he really knows his meteorology, but more importantly, knows how to present it to the viewer in a natural and amiable way with a straight-forward approach. "And certainly, his tenure in his chosen field demonstrates the success and trust he has achieved with viewers is well-earned and well-deserved. I am sure in future dictionaries, when you look up the term 'meteorologist,' you'll soon see Mike's picture right there next to the definition," Greene said. Read more: https://www.9news.com/article/entertainment/television/mike-nelson-retirement/73-5961cad7-6c8b-45d3-a238-afc3c0a09924 More local videos here: https://youtube.com/@9news Subscribe to NEXT: https://youtube.com/@Nexton9NEWS Stay connected: 9NEWS Website: http://www.9news.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ilike9news Twitter: https://twitter.com/9NEWS Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/9newsdenver/ Download the 9NEWS App: https://www.9news.com/appredirect/ Sign up for the 9NEWSLETTER: https://www.9news.com/email 9NEWS (KUSA) is located in Denver, Colorado.