Happy Trails!!!

The time has come to enter a new phase of my life, and that is retirement. Thursday, December 15th at 5:30 and 10 pm will be my final weather forecasts on KRTV. Your loyalty, friendship, and to those I have met and interviewed along the way I appreciate very much your kindness.

I might miss being welcomed into your homes through the airwaves of KRTV, but it has been a wonderful ride. I look forward to being home in the evenings with my wife, perhaps attending a concert or movie with her, other activities that a television career does not permit because of the late hours. My oh, my, the hours have been well worth it.

So many wonderful memories in a career that started in radio during high school and branched into television during the 1980’s at KTWO Radio and Television in Casper, WY.

Both my wife Vi and I will be staying in Great Falls. Plans included woodworking, ham radio, photography, some traveling and just generally catching up with friends who are home in the evening while I have been working at KRTV for  more than 15 years.

May I wish you the best with the coming holiday season and that 2012 brings heath and joy to us all.

Your friend,
Fred Pfeiffer

Ice Jamming on the Jefferson

There is a problem with ice jamming on the Jefferson River near Three Forks.  In addition some areas like Helena, Missoula, Kalispell will be dealing with areas of fog and freezing fog tonight and early tomorrow morning.

Otherwise our weather looks very season with highs being pushed up with southwest winds, giving us the warmer temperatures. Enjoy!

National Weather Service Weather Story

What are the chances of a White Christmas?

If you look at past Christmas weather a pattern is established. The National Weather Service took a peak into the past and it looks like we have about a 50/50 chance of a white covering on the ground for the Holiday.

We will watch the next couple of weeks and see how we do!

Fred

Tonight is the last of my trips down memory lane. Retirement 1 week away!

I am so fortunate to be led down the path of broadcasting to include a career that started in radio and branched into television beginning at KTWO in Casper, Wyoming. After 25 years in radio and 23 in television I will be retiring the end of the year, but taking unused vacation until that time beginning a week from today. My last day on air will be Thursday, December 15th.

Tonight is the last trip down memory lane. A very important part of my career. It involved meeting CBS’s Steve Hartman who still appears on the CBS Evening News as a Feature Reporter, most recently doing a story on the passing of Andy Rooney.

He formally did a series called “Everybody Has A Story” which aired on CBS for many years. You may remember him as the person would go to wherever a dart landed on a map of the United States. He has been in Montana more than half a dozen times, including a story on the late Walter Breuning when he was 113 years old that aired on the CBS Evening News.

The reason this story is so important to me is Steve and his LA CBS photographer Les Rose allowed me to follow him them for two days. I have always felt as my strength as a reporter in both radio and television was feature stories. The chance to see one of the best in the business and a top-notch camera operator cover this story allowed me to see the best at work. I came away from that experience with even more knowledge or reporting and editing feature stories and even better I have ended up with two very good friends whom I keep in touch with by phone or e-mail.

Thanks Steve and Les for allowing me to watch and report on the best of the best. The story I did on them ended up as the E.B. Craney Enterprise winner from the Montana Broadcasters Association. Tonight you will see that story again at 10 pm.

Next Thursday I don’t know what will happen, but I do know that there will be weather to talk about.  If you wish to see past stories that have aired as I count down my retirement you can find them at the KRTV website by following this link. http://www.krtv.com/search/?sterm=fred+pfeiffer&s=Search

Thank you again for being such loyal viewers and welcoming me into your homes with KRTV for the past 15 1/2 years. I am retiring happy and healthy and my wife Vi and I plan to stay in Great Falls. I hope to see you on the street, introduce yourself and I always enjoy personal visits (after all “Everybody” has a story!!)

Merry Christmas

Fred

The “Hi De Ho” Guy stops by to say hello!

An old friend and media icon, Fred Lark, owner of KXLO Radio in Lewistown flew to Great Falls today and while in town stopped in with a pound of the world’s best coffee. I guess he really wants me to enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning in retirement!

I have known Fred since the 1980’s and he greets everyone with a smile and a “Hi De Ho!” A man of many talents it was a pleasure to see him again. He was recently honored for his work in broadcasting and I took this information from his station website.

Great to see you Fred! Coffee is on me the next time I am in Lewistown!

Fred

Fred Lark and Fred Pfeiffer

Lewistown– The Society of Montana Broadcast Legends recently recognized Lewistown resident, Fred Lark, of KXLO-KLCM Radio as a newly inducted member of the Broadcast Legends Society.

Lark purchased Lewistown’s KXLO-AM radio in 1972, and took possession in April 1973 as the President/General Manager.  In 1975 Lark created KLCM-FM.

Lark, originally from Boone, Iowa, began his broadcasting career 1958 with the “Listen to the Lark” show and the “Morning County Boy Farm Show”.

After graduating from Iowa State University in 1966 with a major in Telecommunicative Arts, and minors in both History and Math, he pursued his long broadcast career in Colorado, Nebraska, Wyoming, Iowa and Montana.

Positions and memberships Lark held include National Association of Farm Broadcasters, board member of International Association Press Board, Representative for Montana Seniors at the President Council on Aging appointed by Governor Brian Schweitzer, and President of Montana Broadcasters Association.

The Montana Broadcasts Legend’s society class of inductees for 2011 included active and retired broadcasters, engineers, and personalities for the sole purpose of assembling and recognizing notable members of the broadcast industry for the many years of contributions and dedication to American Broadcasting.

Cold front arrives right on schedule with snow!

Just as expected the cold front arrived around 10 am this morning and winds began to shift to the northwest. Our peak wind gust ocurred at 11:54 am with a 48 mph wind gust. Driving conditions are expected to deteriorate during the afternoon with falling temperatures, snow and blowing snow with bitter wind chill factors. Be prepared for winter driving conditions!

Great Falls NWS Weather Story

Glasgow NWS Weather Story

Adjust your driving patterns for winter conditions and be aware of strong wind gusts as well.

Have a great day!

Fred

Winter Weather arriving soon!

A strong but quick moving Canadian cold front is closing in on Montana bringing cold temperatures and snow. Amounts vary from area to area. Here is the latest map of the state showing the warning/advisory areas, the entire state is now involved.

NWS Great Falls Weather Story

Glasgow NWS Weather Story

For complete weather information log on to either krtv.com or kxlh.com!

Be prepared and stay safe!

Fred

A nice day to start the week. Snow coming later!

I hope you had a great Thanksgiving and the weather couldn’t be nicer with sunshine and highs in the upper 40’s!

An Arctic cold front will cross the Canadian border Wednesday morning and move southwest during the day. Temperature will also be falling during the day with widespread snow and strong gusty winds continuing Wednesday night.

Once we pull out of the storm temperatures will be in the 30’s and low 40’s through the end of the week!

I hope you have an enjoyable evening.

Fred

Windy but warmer as we head toward Thanksgiving!

It was good to see about 3 inches of snow but even better to feel it warm up after a couple of chilly days!

Chinook winds return and that helps warm us up during the week. Highs in the 40’s again and winds are expected to get stronger.

NWS Weather Story

As we get closer to Thanksgiving and especially the day after another round of moisture is expected. The main target at this point appears to the the northern Rocky Mountain Front.

NWS Weather Story 2

It’s that time of the year to have gloves and a pair of warm boots and gloves handy. Our weather can change rapidly that is for sure!

I hope you have a great evening!

Fred

Winter Weather has arrived. Storm Warning above 5,000′

There is no question about the forecast, a winter storm is hitting west and central Montana. A Winter Storm Warning above 5,000′ with 6″ to 12″ of snow and gusty winds creating dangerous driving conditions.

Below 5,000′ feet in our area we have a Winter Weather Advisory with 2″ to 5″ of snow for the plains.

A wind chill advisory for eastern Montana for tonight and Saturday as well. Just a good evening and weekend to use care when traveling, be prepared for winter driving conditions.  You can watch the weather at krtv.com or kxlh.com and keep up with the changing forecast and weather information.

NWS Weather Story

Please have a safe and enjoyable weekend!

Fred