Longtime Ft. Myers Weather Anchor Rip Van Winkle.....errrrr.... Robert Van Winkle has announced that he is going to retire. 

But, since this is TV news, he's not leaving in two weeks, or even two months, Van Winkle has scheduled his sign off for March of 2018. 

Ummmmm....hello? There is no rating book in March. 

The station isn't even waiting for Van Winkle to go to sleep, before naming his replacement.

Allyson Rae returned to Southwest Florida and will replace Van Winkle.

She spent the last 3 years at WUSA in DC. 

The station even put her on the air the first day of the November book. WBBH says that Van Winkle and Rae will transition over the next few months, alternating day and evening shifts. Rae will take a larger role after Thanksgiving and heading into 2018.

“I’m not retiring,” said Van Winkle, who arrived to Fort Myers in 2003, just in time to follow the courses of Hurricane Charley in 2004, Wilma in 2005 and Irma this year. “I’m kind of retiring. I’m leaving the broadcast business after more than 30 years. My idea is I’m creating a new chapter.”

"I think Southwest Florida is really going to like her (speaking of Rea)," Van Winkle said. "I really do. She's a great meteorologist."

Rae said she respected Van Winkle and learned a lot from him during her first stint in the area.

“We love Robert,” Rae said. “I love Robert. He’s such a pleasure to work with. I don’t expect to fill his shoes. You have to make your own path. I hope mine is parallel to his. I want to be as great but in my own way.”

H/T News-Press