WBRZ Weatherman Pat Shingleton ‘Closes The Umbrella’

Covering the weather that included more than 500 storms and related weather events, Pat Shingleton, “The Weatherman,” Manship’s ABC affiliate WBRZ Baton Rouge, La., is “closing his umbrella” on Friday, Jan. 28.

“My forecasting approach incorporated the protection of life and property and when it wasn’t serious, let’s have some fun….”

For 45 years he has provided forecasts in four separate markets and for 39 years has prepared and presented forecasts with WBRZ. He has provided viewers with weather forecasts laced with his brand of personality that included his Backyard Bar-B-Ques, Firehouse Cook-offs, and a variety of live-shots promoting community events.

In addition to the forecasts and in-conjunction with WBRZ, Shingleton produced and hosted a local game show, We Play Baton Rouge, and a latenight talk show, Hotline After Dark.

He also advanced the need for warm coats with “Pat’s Coats for Kids” and provided affordable life-saving medicine originating his “Fill A Prescription for the Needy” campaign to benefit the St. Vincent de Paul Pharmacy in Baton Rouge. For 35 years the community has also embraced “The St. Patrick’s Day Parade, The Wearin’ of the Green.”

WBRZ General Manager Rocky Daboval said: “The weather door may be closing for Pat but his expertise and commitment to our community will remain open….”

WBRZ Chief Operating Officer Jake Manship said: “Pat will maintain his involvement through WBRZ with the projects that he embraces with possibly a few more.”

His final weather presentations will be showcased on WBRZ from Jan. 25 through Jan. 29 with a final farewell on Friday, Jan. 29 at 6 p.m.

Chief Meteorologist Josh Eachus will assume command of the WBRZ Weather Department on Feb. 2.