### OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: Al Roker to Leave TODAY at Year’s End — and the Identity of His Successor Has Finally Been Revealed
The *Today* show has always been more than a morning ritual; it’s a cultural touchstone, a daily dose of optimism served with coffee and camaraderie. For nearly three decades, Al Roker has been its beating heart—the weatherman who could forecast a blizzard with a wink, turning potential doom into delight. On a crisp December morning in 2025, as snow flurried outside Rockefeller Center, that heart announced it would soon pause. Roker, 71, revealed live on air that he would step away from the anchor desk at year’s end, capping a career that has spanned four presidents, countless Macy’s parades, and enough Turkey Day forecasts to fill a cookbook. But in a twist that sent shockwaves through living rooms nationwide, the show didn’t just bid farewell—it unveiled the face of its future: Dylan Dreyer, the meteorologist who has been Roker’s right hand, will assume the role of chief weatherman starting January 1, 2026.
The announcement unfolded with the quiet gravity of a family gathering. Roker, flanked by Savannah Guthrie and Craig Melvin, adjusted his signature bow tie and cleared his throat. “After 29 incredible years waking up with all of you,” he began, his voice steady but laced with emotion, “it’s time for me to hand off the green screen to someone who’s not just ready—she’s exceptional.” The camera panned to Dreyer, 44, who stood offstage, her eyes brimming as she joined the group for a tearful embrace. Guthrie, ever the emotional anchor, quipped through sniffles, “Al, you’ve been our sunshine. Now Dylan’s going to keep the forecast fair and fabulous.” The moment, raw and real, clocked in at under five minutes, but its ripple effect was seismic. Within hours, #ThankYouAl trended globally, amassing millions of posts, while #DylanTakesOver sparked a frenzy of memes, tributes, and yes, a few playful debates about who could pull off Roker’s Thanksgiving apron better.
For Roker, the decision wasn’t born of burnout but of beautiful timing. “You know when you know,” he echoed a sentiment he’d shared months earlier, following Hoda Kotb’s own departure in early 2025. Kotb’s exit had prompted whispers of a *Today* exodus, but Roker quashed them then, insisting he had “more parades to march in.” Yet, as he told *People* in a reflective interview last week, the past year crystallized it: turning 71 amid family milestones, including his role as “honorary grandpa” to colleagues’ kids, and a desire to pen that long-gestating memoir. “I’ve given the show my mornings,” Roker said. “Now, I want my evenings back—with Deborah, with the grandkids, maybe even a garden that doesn’t drown in hail.” Health scares in 2022 had already tested his resilience; this feels like triumph, not surrender. He’ll remain a contributor, popping in for specials and holidays, ensuring his legacy lingers like a perfect weather vane.
Enter Dylan Dreyer, the successor whose reveal felt less like a coronation and more like destiny fulfilled. A *Today* staple since 2013, Dreyer has been the show’s Swiss Army knife: meteorologist, mom-of-four, and accidental viral sensation (remember her snowball-throwing tutorials?). Her chemistry with Roker is legendary—think on-air dances during Nor’easters and that infamous 2024 segment where they “debated” the merits of flannel vs. fleece for winter wear. “Al’s been my mentor, my co-conspirator,” Dreyer shared post-announcement, her voice cracking as she clutched a mug of what looked suspiciously like spiked hot chocolate. “He’s taught me that weather isn’t just data; it’s stories. I’ll miss our banter, but I’m honored to carry the umbrella forward.” Fans, many of whom have watched her grow from weekend forecaster to family confidante, erupted in approval. “Dylan’s got the smarts, the sass, and zero fear of a pop quiz on humidity,” one viewer tweeted, echoing a chorus of 500,000 likes. Critics, sparse as they are, worry about filling Roker’s shoes—his 6’3″ frame and larger-than-life quips aren’t easily replicated—but Dreyer’s relatable edge, honed by juggling broadcasts and bedtime stories, promises a fresh forecast: empathetic, energetic, and utterly unpretentious.
This transition caps a whirlwind year for *Today*. Kotb’s heartfelt goodbye in January, citing a pull toward family and new NBC projects, had already tugged at heartstrings. Now, with Roker’s bow, the show bids adieu to two titans who embodied its ethos: warmth over polish, connection over competition. Yet, as Guthrie noted, “Change is the weather—unpredictable, but always bringing something new.” Ratings, already robust at 4.2 million daily viewers, are projected to hold steady, buoyed by the buzz. Social media dissected every frame: Roker’s misty eyes, Dreyer’s subtle nod to his bow tie tradition (she wore one too), even the coffee cups emblazoned with “Forecast: Sunny with a Chance of Tears.”
As December 31 approaches, Rockefeller Plaza will host a send-off spectacle: fireworks, forecasts from Roker’s career highlights, and guest spots from Matt Lauer (reconciliation rumors be damned) to Willie Geist. For Roker, it’s not goodbye—it’s “see you on the flip side.” For Dreyer, it’s a baton pass from a legend who once told her, “The best storms make the best stories.” And for the audience, it’s a reminder that even in the chill of change, morning light breaks anew. Al Roker may be stepping off the desk, but his forecast—clear skies ahead—endures.