Channel 9 celebrates Steve Udelson’s 25th anniversary in Charlotte

It was 1997 when a new face joined the Channel 9 team -- Steve Udelson had spent 15 years at five news stations, but his journey brought him to WSOC-TV in Charlotte.

Now, 25 years later, our chief meteorologist continues to give his all to keep our communities safe.

“This situation is going to get better before it gets worse along the Carolina coastline,” Steve said in 1998 while tracking Hurricane Bonnie.

Whether he’s in the studio or out in the field, Steve lives and breathes all things weather.

“It sure doesn’t feel a whole lot like springtime right now; it’s about freezing on top of the mountain,” Steve said while literally on top of a mountain and live on air.

Over the years, Steve has also helped thousands of kids to better understand the weather by taking his expertise right into their schools.

But one of the greatest things Steve has done for our communities -- aside from saving countless lives with his weather forecasts -- is his efforts with Steve’s Coats for Kids.

For the past 18 years, Steve has led the drive to provide warm coats for hundreds of thousands of children who otherwise wouldn’t have them. To date, the drive has given more than a quarter-million coats to kids in need.

And along the way, Steve has provided lifesaving information and accurate forecasts, from freezing rain in Pineville, to tornadoes bearing down on Charlotte, he has helped make our community a safer place.

(WATCH BELOW: Channel 9 celebrates 65 years serving the Charlotte area)