From Tsunamis to hurricanes and tropical storms to blizzards, Mother Nature’s often destructive wrath can dominate our news. In response to the need for comprehensive coverage of local and international weather news, CBC NEWS created the CBC NEWS: WEATHER CENTRE.

Featuring an expert team of meteorologists, including award-winning Claire Martin, CBC NEWS: WEATHER CENTRE debuted this month and continues to build its weather coverage on CBC Newsworld and CBC Television. It appears at regular intervals on selected CBC News and CBC Newsworld programs and will be seen on all live CBC Newsworld programs by early 2006.

“Living in Canada means dealing with ever-changing and often extreme weather,” said Heaton Dyer, Director of Programming, News and Current Affairs. “From forecasts to weather stories that span over several days, CBC NEWS: WEATHER CENTRE’s meteorologists and extensive real-time graphics will help our viewers stay in touch with what is happening with the weather in Canada and around the world.”

CBC NEWS: WEATHER CENTRE is comprised of the most talented meteorologists in Canada. Martin has three times been awarded “World’s Best Weather Presenter” while Natasha Ramsahai brings her experience as a meteorologist for CBC’s METRO MORNING and Toronto1 (now Sun TV). While new to the field of broadcasting, Nick Czernkovich and Teresa Fisico are no strangers to the weather. Nick is not only a meteorologist, but a commercial pilot and aviation weather specialist and Teresa Fisico is an expert in Canadian arctic weather patterns.

On a daily basis, CBC NEWS: WEATHER CENTRE offers breaking forecasts and in times of severe weather CBC meteorologists will offer breaking weather news from Canada and around the world. They place particular emphasis on “Watches” and “Warnings” from Environment Canada, as these involve the safety of Canadians.

All Canadian meteorological raw data is provided by Environment Canada while the graphic system used to support it is provided by Norway based Weather One.