News Team Bio
Emmy award winning, Chief Meteorologist, Pete Delkus, joined the WFAA-TV weather department in June 2005 and quickly won the respect of our North Texas viewers by providing timely and accurate forecasts. When there is severe weather, tornadoes, hail, or flash flooding, viewers have come to rely on Pete's steadfast and thorough approach to his work.
Pete has won two Emmy Awards for "Outstanding On-Camera Talent-Weather Anchor" and "Host of a News Special". Delkus is board certified by the American Meteorological Society and the National Weather Association. He attended Mississippi State University for his masters level meteorology courses, and holds a Bachelors of Science from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville (SIUE).» Read More
When did you decide you wanted to be a journalist?
As my elementary school report cards show, I’ve always liked to talk! So I figured, what a better fit than to get a job where they would pay me to talk?
What’s your favorite thing to do in Dallas-Fort Worth?
Dallas/Fort Worth is such a fun place to live because it offers all the benefits of a big city with a small town feel. Especially when it comes to all the great restaurant options. All week I enjoy thinking about where my wife and I will go out on Saturday night - from steaks to sushi, we’ve got it all in DFW!
How do you define success?
Whether professional or personal, my formula for success is basic: you set performance goals, work like crazy to meet those goals, and then reset the bar even higher. I’ve also learned that there are two keys to reaching these goals - 1) always believe you can do it and never listen to those that say you can’t and (2) never become complacent - pleased, but not satisfied.
Tell us one reason why you love what you do.
I love to talk and this is the perfect fit. Not only do I get paid to do something I enjoy, it’s also a lot a fun. Weather is an exciting job because it’s always changing and there’s always something happening, especially here in North Texas. Plus the people I work with are very talented, professional and lots of fun. And who wouldn’t enjoy making fun of Dale every night?
What quality do you have to have to make it in this business?
Television is about communicating so you must be a proficient communicator. Whether you are in news, sports or weather you have to be able to tell a story that people understand and in a way that keeps the viewer's attention.
From 1996 to 2005, Delkus was also the chief meteorologist at WCPO-TV, the ABC affiliate in Cincinnati, Ohio. In this position, Delkus presented four weather reports each evening. Delkus made his mark in Cincinnati as the "severe weather leader" by his exclusive coverage of the deadly Tornado of "99. He has received many honors during his career including a pair of first place Associated Press (AP) Awards for best regularly scheduled weather.
Prior to joining the Cincinnati television station Delkus worked as a meteorologist for four years at WFTV, the ABC affiliate in Orlando, Florida.
Delkus also has a long history as an outstanding athlete. As an All-America pitcher, he had an all star college career including a trip to the college world series. In fact, he still holds several records as a pitcher at SIUE. Out of college Delkus signed in 1987 with the Minnesota Twins organization. In 1988 while pitching for the Single A Kenosha, Wisconsin team Delkus finished the season with 33 saves and a 0.26 ERA. The following year in Double A Orlando, Delkus played 140 innings and saved 10 games with a 1.87 ERA. Again Delkus enjoyed a successful career earning the "Minnesota Twins Minor League Player of the Year" and the Rolaids Relief Man awards. His career ended prematurely due to a serious elbow injury. In all, Delkus played professional baseball for 6 years with the Twins organization.
Today, Pete enjoys spending his leisure time with his family: Wife-Jacque, daughter-Emily, and son-Peter. Whether it is swimming, biking or playing in the backyard, being with them is a top priority. Delkus is also an avid outdoorsman who enjoys hunting, fishing and anything that involves being outside -- including his daily run and workouts.
