Joe Cupo, one of Maine’s best-known and longest-serving TV meteorologists, is retiring after 37 years.

Cupo has been on Portland station WCSH-TV, Channel 6, since 1979. He’s the meteorologist for the station’s main news programs, in the early and late evenings. His last day will be April 22.

Carter said the only other on-air personality taking it is WLBZ meteorologist Steve McKay.

Cupo’s longevity is rare not just in Maine, but in TV markets around the country, said Carter. He said part of Cupo’s appeal is his easy relationship with viewers, including how he frequently mentions people who call in to tell him the weather conditions in their part of Maine.

“People grew up watching Joe, now their kids are watching Joe,” Carter said.

Carter said two meteorologists will be hired to replace Cupo and McKay.

WCSH has been Portland’s top-rated local news station for most of the last 20 years, partly because of the longevity of its anchors and of Cupo. Pat Callaghan, one of the station’s main anchors, also started in 1979. Anchor Cindy Williams began in 1989.

Cupo’s retirement comes a little more than a year after the station lost another veteran weather forecaster, Kevin Mannix, who retired from his full-time duties at WCSH last February after 25 years. Mannix still fills in doing the weather for WCSH sometimes, and will probably be asked to fill in while a replacement for Cupo is sought, Carter said.

McKay, who is based in Bangor but whose forecasts are sometimes seen on WCSH, announced earlier this week he will leave his TV job after 22 years. McKay, who has been a part-time minister for many years, is leaving to devote more time to that vocation. His last day on the air will be Sunday.

Cupo, who lives in Falmouth, is an avid cyclist and gardener. He has a master of science degree in atmospheric science from the State University of New York at Albany.

Cupo’s retirement could have the strange side effect of saving people money on gardening supplies. Maine Wreath & Flower on Bow Street in Freeport is advertising a “Celebrating Joe Cupo’s Retirement Sale” Friday through April 30. People can get 25 percent off garden flags, mailbox covers and fairy garden items.

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