Merrick's Craig Allen Celebrates 40 Years at WCBS Radio

MERRICK, NY — Listeners are accustomed to the even-keeled demeanor of Craig Allen, who for 40 years has been delivering the (usually accurate) forecast on WCBS 880 during the morning and afternoon drives.

But, most people don't realize Allen's "Weather Center" is in his Merrick home.

"We tried to keep it quiet for a while," Allen told Patch.

As everyone left offices and studios during the pandemic, he became more open about his location. It started from the beginning because of that split shift, so WCBS management made accommodations.

"We decided to bring the studio to me," Allen told Patch.

In the early days of his remote work in Bayside, the phone company had to set up expensive copper wires. Today's technology is just a small connection box to get Allen live with the WCBS Tribeca studio.

"I was one of the first to be working out of a home office," he said.

When those storms or blizzards are brewing and he's working non-stop, the weather center is equipped with a bed.

"It takes up space, for sure, but it's very helpful," Allen said.

For a meteorologist, nor'easters and the like are his Super Bowl or election night.

"In terms of excitement, yes," he said. "There is one kind of weather I really don't like. Bitter cold. I don't like wind chill."

But it was his fascination as for storms as a child growing up in Brighton Beach that planted the seed.

"I knew what I liked and by the time I was in elementary school, in middle school, I was already imitating weathermen," Allen said. "I knew exactly where I was going."

One place he was going was television. He would watch weathermen of the era, including Tex Antoine, who despite a lengthy tenure at WNBC and WABC, is best remembered for an on-air rape remark in 1976 that effectively ended his career, and industry legend Frank Field.

"I would give my parents the weather every night," he recalled. "What you're seeing right now is — nerd!"

A love for weather, but broadcasting like his idols was another matter. It took his bar mitzvah to realize his ability to speak in front of people.

"It made me just feel much more comfortable," Allen said.

Thereafter, he took some public speaking classes to work on smoothing out his Long Island sound.

There were stints on sister station (at the time) WCBS/Channel 2, WNYW/Channel 5, and most recently, more than a decade of "permalance" weekend shifts at WPIX/Channel 11.

He credits good fortune for each gig, but keeps a special place for Channel 2 and the synergy that was shared.

"I don't understand how in the world they hired me after going back at videotapes and [seeing] what I looked like," Allen admitted.

His biggest exposure was a morning network gig at CBS in the 1990s, while still maintaining his voice on WCBS Radio from a studio at West 57th Street.

"I'm amazed I was picked for that because I don't think I was ready for morning TV," he said. "I just did not have the personality."

However, notwithstanding that remarkable radio run, Allen contemplates what could have been in the other medium.

"I don't know what it would have meant for my life," Allen said. "I don't think there's any harm or crime in saying that there's more pay in TV."

But WCBS, led by news director Tim Scheld, permitted their full-time employee to moonlight on TV. It was a more stable career choice for Allen in a field that is constantly changing.

"I was not going to give up such longevity for the possibility of only a one- or two-year contract," Allen said.

There is longevity in his home life too. For three decades in Merrick with his wife, Cheryl, and son Garrett, 29, Allen has been a member of the civic association. He's always ready to do volunteer work for the neighborhood. There is a grassy area adjacent to a park near his home where Allen handles the gardening.

That green thumb comes in handy at other spots as well.

"Do you see the flowers and the pots at the Merrick Post Office? That's mine," he proudly said.

The veteran meteorologist is also active with Autism Speaks as several family members are on the spectrum.

Allen, 64, is not thinking about retiring but has an added incentive to stay put until at least 65 1/2. He is pulling back on his TV duties, now doing only occasional freelance work for News 12 Long Island.

"I really am finding myself wearing out. Seven days a week was starting to really wear me down." Allen said. "I want to slow down the work a little bit. I want to enjoy some of the time."