When a familiar face disappears from a local newscast, viewers notice quickly. That’s exactly what happened when WBTW meteorologist Scotty Powell made an announcement that sparked a wave of questions — and some genuine confusion — about his future at the Myrtle Beach CBS affiliate.
This article breaks down who Powell is, what he actually said, whether he left the station entirely or simply changed shifts, and what the broader picture looks like when you piece together the available information.
Who Scotty Powell Is and What He Built at WBTW
Scotty Powell serves as Chief Meteorologist at WBTW News13, the CBS affiliate covering the Myrtle Beach and Florence, South Carolina market. He’s a North Carolina native who trained through Penn State’s meteorology program — a credential he references in his social media profiles alongside his identity as a sports fan and golfer.
His work at WBTW has always leaned heavily into community connection. The Myrtle Beach area is no stranger to coastal storms and severe weather, and Powell built a reputation for engaging viewers during high-stakes forecasts. He’s also been active beyond the broadcast — appearing on at least one podcast episode titled “Forecasting Passion and Purpose,” hosted by Chip Munn, where he discussed his philosophy on weather coverage and serving his local community.
On social media, both his X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram profiles continue to list him as a meteorologist based in South Carolina. His Instagram bio describes him as a “Meteorologist | believer | Sports fanatic | Golfer | Podcaster | North Carolina Native | South Carolina Living.” That ongoing presence matters because it shapes what we can reasonably conclude about his current status.
A Schedule Change or a Station Exit — What Powell Actually Said
The confusion largely traces back to a single phrase: “my final weekend morning on WBTW.”
Powell posted a video titled “Weekend morning good bye” in which he described transitioning away from weekend morning broadcasts — moving to weekend evenings instead. He was not announcing a goodbye to WBTW itself. The wording, though perfectly natural for a shift farewell, reads easily as a full departure if you don’t catch the detail about moving to evenings.
WBTW anchor Adrianna Lawrence addressed the confusion directly in her own video. She said: “NO, we’re not leaving WBTW News13 CBS but two of us are moving off weekends soon,” referring to herself and Powell. That’s about as clear a correction as you can get from someone who was there.
Think of it this way: if a manager switches from the day shift to the night shift at the same company, customers who only come in during the day will think they’re gone. They haven’t left. They’ve just moved to a time slot you don’t see. That’s the most accurate framing for what Powell’s “final weekend morning” announcement described — at least at that point in time.
The “Sudden Departure” Coverage and What Remains Unclear
Things get more complicated when you factor in coverage from third-party outlets.
Both AOL and Yahoo published articles describing Powell’s exit as a “sudden departure from a Myrtle Beach area TV station.” Both pieces noted that the reason for his departure “remains unclear” and that WBTW did not respond to press requests for comment. The Sun News also ran a Facebook post framing the situation as a departure, citing Powell’s own statement about family time.
So the picture has two distinct layers. The earlier content — Powell’s video and Lawrence’s clarification — pointed to a shift change within the station. The later coverage frames it as something more complete, with no official explanation from WBTW to bridge the gap.
It’s worth being precise here: Powell appears to have announced a departure from his specific on-air role, but whether that means leaving the station entirely is not definitively confirmed in any official statement. The absence of a response from WBTW doesn’t answer the question either way — it just leaves it open.
His WBTW author page has shown recent forecast posts, including pieces titled “Heat and humidity returns” and “Hot and humid,” which suggests some level of ongoing contribution — though it’s not clear whether those reflect live activity or older content that remained published.
Powell’s Own Words — Family First
The one piece of information that is clearly on the record is Powell’s own statement about why he made this decision.
He said: “It was far from an easy decision because weather is my passion, but I have chosen to put quality and more abundant time with my family first.”
That’s the only confirmed explanation. It’s simple, direct, and consistent with what many broadcast professionals face when they reach a point where the schedule becomes hard to sustain. Weekend news shifts often mean early morning start times, holiday coverage, and a recurring pattern of missed family moments. A video of Powell and Lawrence joking about exhaustion after a weekend shift captures that reality without needing to editorialize.
His decision fits a pattern that plays out regularly in local broadcasting: experienced journalists and meteorologists at some point reassess whether the time demands of a particular role still make sense for their lives. That’s not a story of failure or controversy — it’s a straightforward work-life calculation that more professionals in media are making openly.
What This Looks Like From a Broadcast Business Perspective
Local TV stations manage talent transitions more often than viewers realize. Shifts change, roles evolve, and people move between time slots based on station needs, ratings strategy, and personal circumstances. When those transitions happen without clear communication, audiences fill the gap with their own conclusions.
In Powell’s case, the messaging was fragmented. He posted a farewell to a specific time slot. A colleague clarified that neither of them was leaving. Then outside publications picked up the story and described it as a sudden departure with no explanation — which, again, wasn’t entirely wrong, just incomplete.
For stations, this is a reminder that talent moves benefit from clearer public communication. When a meteorologist who has built a genuine audience relationship makes any kind of change, viewers want to understand what’s happening. Silence from the station doesn’t prevent speculation — it usually amplifies it.
For people working in or studying media business, Powell’s situation is a useful example of how personal decisions intersect with organizational communication. If you follow broadcast industry trends at Nextbiztips, this kind of story touches on talent retention, schedule management, and the audience loyalty that local TV stations depend on.
Where Things Stand Now
Based on what’s publicly available, here’s a fair summary of the situation:
- Powell announced he was leaving weekend morning broadcasts at WBTW — initially framed as a move to weekend evenings.
- Later coverage described a more complete departure from his on-air role, citing a family-first decision.
- WBTW has not issued a public statement clarifying his current status.
- Powell’s social media profiles remain active, and he continues to identify as a meteorologist in South Carolina.
- The only confirmed reason, in his own words, is that he chose to prioritize time with his family.
What remains genuinely unclear is whether Powell has fully stepped away from WBTW or transitioned into a different capacity at the station. Until there’s a direct statement from Powell or WBTW that settles the question, it’s worth treating any definitive claim with some caution.
Final Thought
Scotty Powell built a real presence in the Myrtle Beach market — through his forecasting, his community work, and a communication style that connected with local viewers. Whether he’s changing shifts, stepping back from on-air work, or moving on entirely, his explanation has been consistent: weather is his passion, and family is his priority.
Those two things don’t have to be in conflict permanently. Many broadcast professionals step back from demanding schedules and find ways to stay connected to the work they love on different terms. Whatever Powell’s next chapter looks like, the reason he gave for this one is both honest and understandable.
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