Joel Nichols, KMBC weatherman, has left the station

Joel Nichols no longer works KMBC Channel 9, the local television station from which he dispatched weather news to Kansas City viewers starting in 1988.

Sherrie Brown, news director for the Hearst-owned KMBC station, confirmed to The Pitch that Tuesday was his last day.

Brown wouldn’t delve into particulars of Nichols’ departure, saying she couldn’t discuss personnel issues. But it appeared that Nichols made the decision to leave.

Nichols could not immediately be reached for comment. His name and bio were removed from the television station’s website, although his work blog, most recently updated on December 26, remains live.

“I would just say we didn’t want this to happen,” Brown tells The Pitch. “We did everything we could to keep him, but in the end, it was his decision.”

Nichols came to Kansas City from Wisconsin where he grew up and attended the University of Wisconsin. A short stint working for a state legislator there gave way to a weather anchor gig with a Madison, Wisconsin, television station until moving to Kansas City in 1988.

Nichols also broadcasts weather news on KMBZ 980 and teaches as an adjunct professor at Johnson County Community College.

We’ll update as we learn more.