A former colleague claims meteorologist Rob Marciano's recent ABC News firing seems like a "hit job."

Several sources who worked with Marciano, 55, told PEOPLE.com that his termination was "unexpected" and defended him, including one source who claimed it was "unbelievable he was let go."

“The Rob Marciano being portrayed is not the Rob Marciano we know,” the source claimed. “Rob has always been nothing but professional. He is truly invested in his segments, cares a tremendous amount about his final work product.”

On Wednesday (May 1), insiders with knowledge of the situation told the Daily Beast that Marciano reportedly got into a "heated screaming match" with a producer that was witnessed by other staffers, which served as "the last straw" before his firing. ABC News Chief Meteorologist Ginger Zee was reportedly made aware of the altercation and notified her supervisors.

The tirade occurred after reports of Marciano's "anger management issues" and complaints by colleagues about his behavior. On Wednesday, the New York Post identified Zee as the colleague who previously clashed with Marciano, who appeared on GMA and World News Tonight, prior to his firing.

Zee was promoted to the daily GMA set to replace former chief meteorologist Sam Champion following his sudden move to the Weather Channel, at which point she and Marciano had a reported turbulent relationship through the remainder of his tenure. Marciano was reported to have a "hot temper" that caused issues on the show while Zee was also capable of being "nasty," the source confirmed to the Post.

“I think she brought out the worst in him. I’m not giving him a pass,” the source said. “It’s sad because they are two people who are really into the science of the weather, unfortunately their personalities didn’t work.”

Marciano made headlines last year for complaints regarding his behavior over the years and was temporarily "banned" from GMA's Time Square Studios for an incident in which he reportedly made a female colleague feel uncomfortable, Page Six reported in March 2023.

“He was found to have done something … that was improper, but he was punished for it, and they still haven’t let him return,” an insider source told Page Six at the time of the report.

A source previously claimed that the veteran meteorologist was experiencing some "anger management issues" while going through a divorce from his wife, which was finalized in 2021.

“He made people feel uncomfortable. There was a period where there were some issues, a number of alarming events,” a second source told Page Six. “There were times when [Marciano] was very cranky and angry … unsavory behavior on his part. He was pulled off to deal with it and he’s been back.”

Marciano became ABC News' senior meteorologist in July 2014 after previously working for Entertainment Tonight and CNN.

Jenn