Stephen Cropper, a longtime veteran of weather reporting in the Pittsburgh market, will join WPXI next week as chief meteorologist, according to a memo sent out by WPXI vice president and general manager Ray Carter this morning.

Cropper left Pittsburgh’s WTAE in April after more than 16 years. His departure from the station came months after the ABC affiliate shuffled their weather lineup, moving Cropper to weekends and angering his large fanbase.

Now Pittsburgh fans can continue to see Cropper report the weather — on another station in the market. WPXI is the NBC affiliate.

“Rarely do you get to change high profile jobs and remain in the same city,” Carter wrote in the memo. “Stephen gets to do just that. His wife Mindy and their three children are delighted to keep calling themselves Pittsburghers!”

Cropper replaces Julie Bologna, who announced earlier this week she was leaving the station to spend more time with her young children.

Read the full memo after the jump.

Dear Staff,

I am pleased to announce that Stephen Cropper will be joining the Channel 11 family as our new Chief Meteorologist. Stephen…, is of course, a familiar and likable face in the Pittsburgh market. He worked for 16 years at WTAE. We are thrilled to welcome him to WPXI.

Rarely do you get to change high profile jobs and remain in the same city. Stephen gets to do just that. His wife Mindy and their three children are delighted to keep calling themselves Pittsburghers!

Stephen will join us starting the week of July 18. He will get familiar with our weather equipment and then debut on our air sometime in early August.

Please join me in welcoming Stephen Cropper to the Channel 11 family!

Ray Carter | Vice President and General Manager