Rich Hoffman is the meteorologist for News 12 Long Island's Morning and Daytime Editions. Hoffman joined the News 12 weather team in September 2002.

While growing up on Long Island in the Town of Babylon, Hoffman loved to go to the beach with his family. The weather always played a role in whether his family would hit beach favorites like Cedar and Gilgo Beach. So by the time he was nine, Hoffman was tracking the weather systems. He quickly developed a love for forecasting. After graduating from West Babylon High School, Hoffman headed north to fulfill his dream of being a meteorologist. Hoffman earned a Bachelors of Science degree in Atmospheric Science and a Bachelors of Arts in Communications from the University of Albany (SUNY), in New York. Hoffman also has earned a Masters of Science degree in Geoscience from Mississippi State University. Following graduation, Hoffman began his television career in 1996 at WNYT in Albany.

From there he moved west to WETM in Elmira, New York. After Elmira, Hoffman worked at WVNY in Burlington, Vermont where he enjoyed the cold, snowy winter. In a move to try to get closer to Long Island, Hoffman was off to the Nutmeg state where he landed a meteorologist position at WFSB in Hartford, Connecticut. Before coming home to News 12 Long Island, Hoffman worked at and NECN in Boston and WGGB-TV in Springfield, Massachusetts. Since working at News 12, Hoffman looks at things in a different light. Hoffman starts his day by getting up at 2:30 a.m. in the middle of the night, when its pitch black. Then it’s time to get ready to be at work by 3 a.m. to prepare the weather forecast and weather maps which you see every day on News 12.

Hoffman earned the prestigious American Meteorological Society's Seal of Approval while in Burlington. Hoffman earned the Certified Broadcast Meteorologists Seal (Seal #190) from American Meteorological Society in 2006. Hoffman is a member of the American Meteorological Society and the National Weather Association. Hoffman has been an adjunct Professor at Farmingdale State Collage, since 2005, teaching Introduction to Meteorology. Hoffman’s computer knowledge, graphics expertise, and vibrant enthusiasm for weather make him a valuable asset to the people of Long Island.

When not at work, Hoffman tries to stay active. Hoffman loves to ski. He was on the Ski Team while in college. Hoffman also played rugby while at SUNY. He loves to be outdoors, whether it's skiing, biking or hiking. Hoffman has run in more than 10 Marathons, completed more than 20 triathlons and finished the Lake Placid IRONMAN (Swim 2.4 Miles, Bike 112 Miles, Run 26.2 Miles) in 2008. Now that Hoffman is back home again, he can enjoy all of Long Island's outdoor adventures. Hopefully, you will see him on the South Shore waters boating, jet skiing or paddling boarding. As for sports, Hoffman roots for the NY Mets, NY Islanders, Buffalo Bills and the Dallas Mavericks. 

If you have any questions about weather, or you want to send a storm report, please email me at news12liweather@news12.com.