Key Points
- WCYB’s first meteorologist Dave Dierks will retire from the station in August 2026.
- Dierks joined WCYB in 1987; he will remain on-air through the station’s 70th anniversary.
- A celebration of Dierks’ career will be announced at a later date.
After four decades in television broadcasting, WCYB (Channel 5, NBC) meteorologist Davie Dierks is heading into retirement.
Dierks announced his retirement this week, but he won’t actually depart from WCYB until August 2026, the station’s parent company Sinclair said in a press release.
Dierks joined WCYB in 1987 as the station’s first meteorologist and will remain on air through next August to help mark WCYB’s 70th anniversary. His steady presence and deep ties to viewers in southwest Virginia and northeast Tennessee have made him a trusted voice during some of the region’s most critical weather events.
“Dave Dierks is synonymous with weather in the Tri-Cities,” said Jim Doty, the Vice President and General Manager of WCYB. “For generations, families have relied on Dave’s expertise, calm presence and compassion, especially in times of severe weather. His professionalism and commitment to service embody the very best of local television.”
Over nearly four decades, Dierks has guided viewers through countless storms, including the 1993 Superstorm and the 2011 tornado outbreak. A graduate of Iowa State University with a degree in meteorology, he began his career in his home state of Iowa before moving to the Tri-Cities, where he quickly became a fixture both on and off the air.
Beyond the weather desk, Dierks has built a reputation for community engagement. He visits more than 50 schools each year, encouraging students to explore science and meteorology. He also participates in local Special Olympics events, supports Alzheimer’s Association fundraisers and leads WCYB’s Storm Tracker Tour, which brings the station’s weather coverage directly to communities across the region.
In 2022, Dierks received the Associated Press’ Robert Gallimore Distinguished Service Award for Outstanding Service in the Public Interest, recognizing his decades of dedication to the Tri-Cities.
“What an honor it has been to broadcast the weather on WCYB-TV for more than 38 years,” Dierks said.
WCYB said details about special programming and events marking Dierks’ retirement and the station’s 70th anniversary will be announced in 2026.
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