The four meteorologists at an eastern Iowa NBC affiliate will remain in their current roles for the time being as the station’s ownership reconsiders a previous decision to lay them off.

Allen Media Group, which owns Waterloo-based KWWL and several other local news stations nationwide, announced earlier this month that it planned on delegating weather coverage at local markets to the Atlanta headquarters of The Weather Channel, which it also owns.

At the time, KWWL Vice President and General Manager Aaron Scoby confirmed in an email to the Telegraph Herald that there would no longer be meteorologists working in KWWL’s studio, but that they would potentially have the opportunity to work at The Weather Channel.

The decision to conduct local weather reporting from The Weather Channel’s studio would have brought together “world-class meteorological expertise, cutting-edge technology and the most advanced forecasting tools to deliver superior weather content to local television station audiences,” according to an Allen Media Group press release announcing the decision.

The decision was not without controversy.

“People from all counties that we cover were devastated by this announcement, as were we,” said Mark Schnackenberg, KWWL chief meteorologist, during KWWL’s 5 p.m. newscast Tuesday.

While there has not been any official public communication from Allen Media Group regarding the decision to reconsider the layoffs, several affiliated stations around the country in recent days have announced their weather teams will be retained for the time being.

In its 5 p.m. newscast Tuesday, KWWL joined this list.

“The other day, we received word from our parent company that they heard you loud and clear … (and) their decision (to lay off meteorologists) has been put on hold for further review,” said Schnackenberg.

Schnackenberg said the KWWL weather team will “remain here for now,” but that it is still to be determined whether all or only some of the four KWWL meteorologists will retain their jobs.

Schnackenberg thanked viewers for their support, saying that Allen Media Group’s decision would likely not have been reviewed if not for the public backlash.

“We’re incredibly grateful for the community support we’ve received,” he said. “Without your outpouring of messages that rang so loud, this review … may not have been possible.”