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 40 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. His mother came to the U.S.A. from Ballymena, County Antrim when she was sixteen but moved to Canada about two years later. In Ireland she worked for the Eaton family and once told one of them that if he didn't stop beating the horse that was pulling their cart she'd take the whip to him. He loved her for it. Dave’s Mom met his Dad (a third generation Canadian from the Beeton / Alliston area) before he went overseas in WW1 to serve at Vimy Ridge where he was severely wounded. On returning home after a year in hospital in England they resumed their courtship and married. After three girls and Dave as the youngest and only boy, the rest is history.

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 continues to stay at the forefront of weather science, which may help to explain why is one of the most beloved members of the CTV News family.

Whether his eyes are on the sky, on the ground, or checking out Doppler radar read-outs, Dave 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? Dave laughs and pauses, "Well they do, and they don't…"

One of Dave's passions is playing golf and he participates in many charitable golf tournaments allowing him to hone his golf skills while helping with worthy causes.  When asked what his handicap is, he says it's his 3 wood.

The St. Patrick’s Parade Society and the Irish Community welcome Dave on board as the Grand Marshal of the 20^th annual parade which will take place on Sunday, March 18^th.

Needless to say, we have high expectations that Dave will provide us with the weather that will have us donning our sunglasses and tee-shirts. Clear skies Dave, and no pressure !