Dave Devall, Weather Specialist, CTV News Toronto

You can count on Dave Devall, CTV News Toronto's long-time weather expert, to smile through the best and the worst of what Mother Nature has to offer - torrential rain, blizzards and scorching heat, all the while bringing viewers the information they need.

Devall has been talking about Mother Nature for more than 48 years, having worked at CTV Toronto since the station's inception in 1961. A trusted and familiar face, he does his job with a unique mix of panache, wit, and expertise. Devall's weathercasts are seen on CTV News Toronto at 6:00 p.m. and again at 11:30 p.m. Viewers often recognize him as the man who can write backwards with both hands while using grease pencils on the back of a Plexiglas weather board.

Devall was born, raised, and educated in Toronto. While studying Radio and Television Arts at Ryerson, he also served in the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) where part of his training centered on meteorology. In 1956, while still a student, he worked at CFPL-TV and then moved to CFRB where he stayed from 1957-1958. After graduating in 1958, he worked at CHEX-TV in Peterborough. When CTV Toronto launched in 1961, Devall auditioned with 2,000 other hopefuls; he was one of six people hired as a broadcaster.

His enthusiasm for this particular branch of science is unwavering, which he credits to his time in the RCAF. In an era when job-hopping every few years is the norm, Dave Devall has stayed on the same beat for over four decades. He says, "It is never the same 2 days in a row. I like variety." Growing up, Devall wanted to be a commercial pilot. In fact, he holds a private pilot's license and frequently jumps into a Cessna to observe and videotape weather phenomena and conditions.

A member of the World Meteorological Organization, Dave hones his forecasting skills by regularly attending weather conferences throughout North America. He is always working to further his understanding and knowledge of meteorology and climatology in areas such as severe storm forecasting, ozone studies, UV interpretation and air, land, and sea pollution. After 40 plus years on the job, Dave Devall continues to stay at the forefront of weather science, which may help to explain why is one of the most beloved members of our CTV News family.

Whether his eyes are on the sky, on the ground, or checking out Doppler radar read-outs, Devall enjoys the combination of business with pleasure. And he just keeps getting busier. "I'm doing more now than I was even two years ago," he says, "and I wouldn't have it any other way." So is it true that all people blame bad weather on the messenger? Devall laughs and pauses, "Well they do, and they don't..."

Dave announced on February 2nd, 2009 his intention to retire in two months time. Shortly thereafter on February 19th, it was announced that Dave had been selected for the RTNDA's 2009 Lifetime Achievement Award. The website 60 Days of Dave was created at Dave.ctv.ca to celebrate Dave's career and to allow fans to wish him well.

On April 3rd, 2009 Dave retired after 48 years with CTV. On Dave's last day the Guinness Book of Records officially honoured Dave with the world record for longest career as a weather forecaster -- 48 years, two months and 27 days.  That same day Dave was also honoured by the City of Toronto when the road "Channel 9 Court" was renamed "Dave Devall Way."

At the end of his final newscast,  Dave was presented with a certificate of thanks and appreciation from Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, after which anchors Christine Bentley, Ken Shaw and Lance Brown all spoke about what it meant to work with Dave. As Dave gave his farewell speech he was surprised by the sudden appearance of "The Highland Creek Pipes and Drums" and was presented with an umbrella signed by everyone at CTV News as all his colleagues gathered round to wish him well.

While now retired Dave plans to occasionally drop-by CTV News and fill in on occasion.