CT Meteorologist Takes Extended Break From TV

CONNECTICUT — Darren Sweeney, a long-time meteorologist at NBC Connecticut, is taking an extended break from television news, he confirmed to Patch after The Laurel first reported it.

Sweeney has been at the station for 16 years, and in television journalism even longer.

"Linkedin tells me I've been NBC Connecticut 16 years this month," Sweeney wrote in October on his LinkedIn profile. "Wow, time flies! It also makes me do the math. I started in the business in 2000 in Fort Myers. Almost 25 years in the biz and 18 of those years in the Hartford market. Add to that, nearly 18 years of teaching [at] Central Connecticut State University in the Department of Journalism. As the saying goes... 'find a job you love and you will never have to work a day in your life' - it's very true!"

In an email to Patch, Sweeney said that he does not yet have a plan on the future.

"At this time - I don't have a return date - I just knew it was time to take a break from weekends and focus on life for a bit," Sweeney wrote.

Sweeney obtained a Bachelor's degree from CCSU, and a Master's degree from Syracuse University's Newhouse School of Communication. He also graduated from Mississippi State University's Broadcast Meteorology program.

In December, Sweeney is slated to get married, he said.

"I'm focusing on the wedding and will see where my head is at in the spring," Sweeney said.

In addition to his teaching duties, Sweeney also obtained a real estate license in 2020, and that work has increased.

Read The Laurel story.