Surprise! Joe Bastardi's gone

Just like that ... Joe Bastardi checked out of Accu-Weather.

The first word that Bastardi had left the Pennsylvania-based private meteorological company came about 4:30 p.m. Monday, in the form of announcements from Accu-Weather on various weather bulletin boards and the company's Facebook page.

Bastardi is one of those bigger-than-weather figures, like Jim Cantore at the Weather Channel, or even Steve Lyons, formerly of the Weather Channel.

Bastardi was chief long-range meteorologist at Accu-Weather, and he isn't afraid of controversy. Some might say he thrives on it. He's also seemingly never lacking in self-confidence.

His act doesn't play well with some meteorologists and weather weenies. But others enjoy it. And still others -- myself included -- might not like his style all the time but appreciate his effort to delve into a part of meteorology, long-range forecasting, that is avoided by most scientists. And he delves into it with passion.

Bastardi angers some with his belief that humanity's role in climate change might be superseded by that of natural changes in weather patterns.

That, of course, is politically loaded territory, putting Bastardi at odds with the Al Gore crowd and somewhat in the camp of the Rush Limbaugh conservatives.

Let's face it ... he's a lightning rod (I was waiting to use that one ... sorry).

But now he's gone, after 32 years at Accu-Weather, and it'll be interesting to see what happens next for the company and for Bastardi.

Accu-Weather has said several times since Monday that Bastardi was not fired.

The official statement, through spokesman Justin Roberti: "We wish him the best in his next endeavor, whatever form that might take."

And in answering comments on the Facebook page, Accu-Weather said Bastardi's beliefs about climate change had nothing to do with his departure. One person, posting a note on the website of the newspaper in State College, Pa., where Accu-Weather is based, said he works at the company and said Bastardi just wanted a change.

For Accu-Weather, its Pro website could take a hit. The company charges $24.95 a month or $249.95 a year for subscribers to get advanced-level weather information, and Bastardi's videos and columns were a big hit on that website.

Paul Pastelok has been named to replace Bastardi as chief long-range forecaster, and he wasted little time in making his presence known. Accu-Weather's website, www.accu-weather.com, has a story Thursday from Pastelok, about weather for the coming month.

There was a ruffle -- although less intense -- when Lyons left his position as chief hurricane specialist at the Weather Channel last year and rejoined the National Weather Service at its office in San Angelo, Texas (interestingly, far inland).

Lyons, who became chief meteorologist at the office, said he wanted to return to his roots -- serving the public and forecasting weather.

Sometimes people need a change of scenery and want to try something different.

It'll be interesting to see where Joe Bastardi pops up next.