Jim Cantore joins Sam Champion on The Weather Channel morning show AMHQ

Meteorologist Jennifer Dalgado will be part of the show as well in the first major on-air morning show shuffle since Champion joined the network last year. Existing "AMHQ" member Mike Bettes is getting his own evening show starting in March. Another co-host Maria LaRosa  is also getting her own show but a time slot has not been finalized.

Anaridis Rodriguez will remain as the news person.

Cantore is frequently on the road covering the worst weather events and that will not change, a spokesman said.

"While Jim will be in the studio regularly for 'AMHQ,' the minute severe weather threatens," Champion said in a release, "he will be out in the elements providing his insights and expertise."

President David Clark, in the release, added: "Viewers have told us they want to know exactly when they can tune in and see Jim Cantore every day, so adding him to AMHQ makes it easy for them."

Cantore, 50, has been part of the Weather Channel since he left college in 1986, a run of almost 30 years.

"AMHQ" airs from 7 to 10 a.m. The network did not mention ratings in its press release, which to me meant there wasn't much to brag about on that front. In a follow-up email, a spokesman acknowledges that ratings are down year over year but he said people are spending more time with the show and a younger and more affluent. He said in a cumulative week, the show reached 6 million viewers.

The lower ratings may be why they are seeking to change up the morning show by adding Cantore while giving Bettes his own platform in the evenings.

The Weather Channel tends to get its best ratings in the mornings because that's when people are most likely seeking weather information for the rest of the day.