Another meteorologist is leaving WFOR, the CBS owned station in Miami. Jeff Berardelli is leaving the Miami CBS O&O to join WPEC, the CBS affiliate in West Palm Beach.
WPEC has also announced that chief meteorologist John Matthews has signed a new contract with the station. In a statement, general manager Michael Puno said Berardelli’s hire and Matthews’ extension are “just another step in putting together the most talented group of weather, news and content providers in the WPB and Ft. Pierce markets.”
Berardelli has worked at WFOR since 2007. He is the second meteorologist to announce his departure from the CBS O&O this week. David Bernard, who has been with the station since 2005, will leave when his contract is up in November after reportedly rejecting a pay cut from WFOR bosses.
Moving from WFOR to WPEC is a 22-market drop for Berardelli. “Things are falling apart at CBS 4 Miami,” one South Florida television insider told TVSpy.
Before joining WPEC, Berardelli was the morning meteorologist at another CBS O&O, WCBS in New York City. While in New York, he worked as a fill-in anchor for the “CBS Early Show” and served as a consultant for CBS News.
More in WPEC’s press release after the jump.
CBS 12’s Weather Team has added a new severe weather expert to the CBS 12 Stormtrac Weather Team. Meteorologist Jeff Berardelli joins WPEC from WFOR, the CBS affiliate in Miami. Prior to forecasting in Miami, Jeff was a morning meteorologist at WCBS-TV in New York City and fill-in weather anchor for the CBS Early Show, and has served as a consultant for CBS News for almost ten years.
Berardelli has spent the better part of his career in Florida forecasting hurricanes and severe weather. Jeff began his television career in Tampa at Bay 9 News and WSTP. In all, Berardelli has eighteen years of forecasting experience.
A Cornell graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in Atmospheric Science and Meteorology, Jeff is skilled in developing weather software. While at WFOR-TV in Miami, Jeff created ZoomRadar, an interactive radar map for the internet and mobile, which is currently being used on CBSMiami.com. Berardelli is also an Adjunct Professor at the University of Miami, teaching Advanced Weather Forecasting and Weather Broadcasting.
“I’m thrilled to have Jeff join our already multi-talented weather staff at CBS 12,” said WPEC GM Michael Pumo. “And, at the same time, I’m pleased to say we signed John Matthews to a new contract as well. Adding a meteorologist to our staff that the CBS network counts on to deliver severe weather to the nation, and combining him with John Matthews 37 years of weather expertise, Chris Farrell’s 22 years of work in the mornings along with Michael Ehrenberg and Craig Gold … is just another step in putting together the most talented group of weather, news and content providers in the WPB and Ft. Pierce markets.”
Berardelli is excited to make the move to WPEC. “Since the age of three, weather has been my greatest passion. I consider myself very fortunate to live this passion everyday as a meteorologist for CBS 12. Having lived in Florida for 12 years, I find Tropical weather patterns captivating. Now I am thrilled to be bringing my lifelong passion and knowledge to the most experienced weather team in all of South Florida! I very much look forward to playing an integral role forecasting alongside the rest of CBS12 Weather Team and immersing myself in the local community.”
Jeff enjoys fishing, scuba diving and kayaking, working with local charities, and spending time with his wife Christy.