COLUMBUS (WCMH) — NBC4’s Ben Gelber is celebrating 37 years with the station this weekend!

He debuted on NBC4 on the second Saturday of July in 1980.

Gelber was fresh out of graduate school in meteorology when he joined what is now Storm Team 4.

Since then, Gelber has anchored during the Blizzard of April, 1987. He was live during the Columbus tornado of 2006, Hurricane Ike in 2008 and the Derecho of 2012 and many more major weather events in central Ohio.

He’s a favorite in the newsroom, on and off air!

“I love working with Ben! You can always count on him for the forecast and fun,” said reporter weekend evening anchor Katie Ferrell.

“Ben might be the nicest person who works at NBC4 — and that’s saying a lot, because there are some incredibly nice people who work here,” said reporter and weekend morning co-anchor Matt Edwards. “He makes being at work more fun. Also, he’s a master of puns. His wit is sharper than a thumbtack and he keeps us on our toes. Columbus is lucky to have had h him forecasting for them for the last 37 years.”

“More than a meteorologist, Ben Gelber is a rock star,” said NBC4 Today anchor Monica Day. “You know what the hottest song of the mid-90s was? Not the ‘Macarena,’ not ‘Fantastic Voyage.’ It was ‘Here Comes the Ben Gelber.’ He’s a Central Ohio icon.”

He’s excited to celebrate 37 years, and more to come here at NBC4!

“The time goes fast, “said Gelber. “My first show, I was so nervous that I couldn’t stop shaking and wondered how I would get through a career in television.”

“Presenting the weather has changed dramatically with all the technological advances. I enjoy teaching youngsters, college students and sharing my passion for weather on NBC4!”

For a little nostalgic flavor, here’s the 1995 debut of “Here Comes the Ben Gelber”