Derek Van Dam has been with CNN since 2014. Over the past 8+ years, the on-air meteorologist has primarily provided weather reports for CNN International and occasionally the weekday and weekend editions of CNN Newsroom.
That’s about to change. Van Dam announced on social media Tuesday that he has been named morning meteorologist for CNN’s morning show, CNN This Morning.
Van Dam steps into his new role today.
Today marks a new chapter of my career @cnn I am humbled and honored to begin my journey as morning #meteorologist for @cnnthismorning Monday – Friday. Here we go…🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/SfRFmellhm
— Derek Van Dam (@VanDamCNN) March 28, 2023
Amongst his accomplishments at the network, Van Dam has reported live on location from every U.S. hurricane to make landfall since 2016 and has reported extensively on the climate crisis and its impact on society.
In 2017, Van Dam contributed to CNN’s special live coverage of the solar eclipse from Tennessee, and in 2015 he flew into the eye of a major storm during Hurricane Joaquin with the infamous ‘Hurricane Hunters’ U.S. Air Force squadron looking for the doomed ‘El Faro’ cargo ship that sank during the storm as part of special coverage for Anderson Cooper 360°.
Before his time at CNN, Van Dam spent six years in South Africa, where he helped launch eNCA (eNews Channel Africa) as its chief meteorologist.
Fun fact, Van Dam and fellow morning TV news meteorologist Ginger Zee (of Good Morning America fame) both attended the same high school in Michigan, a tidbit he acknowledged after Zee congratulated him on his appointment.
Little known fact…@Ginger_Zee and I attended high school together and graduated a year apart. #GoRams #Rockford #Michigan https://t.co/Weo1v8nag7
— Derek Van Dam (@VanDamCNN) March 28, 2023