Berardelli Back on CBS 2

Meteorologist Jeff Berardelli returned to CBS 2 during the 5 and 6 PM newscasts today for the first time since his departure for WFOR, CBS 4 in Miami on Sunday, March 18, 2007. Berardelli was seen one other time since his move to Miami, during the Tunnel to Towers coverage in September. Berardelli was in for Lonnie Quinn who went on vacation late last week. It is unclear whether Beradelli is here to stay, or just helping out while CBS 2 is short-handed after the recent departure of John Bolaris back to Philadelphia. Stay tuned to NewsByte2 for more updates.

Berardelli: "The decision to leave was completely mine"

Jeff Berardelli told NewsByte2 today that it was his decision to leave WCBS for WFOR, despite rumors to the contrary:

The decision to leave was completely mine. I love NYC and this station. I am one of the lucky ones, to be able to live my dream! But now I am ready for the next challenge. I have a great opportunity to work at the best hurricane station in the nation, our sister CBS station WFOR. Lifestyle wise this will also be a great change. Fishing, boating, scuba, kayaking are all my passions and I will have the opportunity to live and work in paradise!

Berardelli appeared this morning but said yesterday on the air that this will be his last week.

Berardelli Leaves CBS 2 For Miami

Jeff Berardelli, CBS 2's weekend morning meteorologist since 2003, announced just moments ago that he is leaving the station. He said that this would be his last week at CBS 2 before he heads down to Miami to join WFOR-TV.

He first appeared on the weekend morning newscasts in May of 2003, filling in for Janine D'Adamo, working alongside Lisa Daniels and Mario Bosquez. He replaced D'Adamo when she left in July of that year but wasn't announced as a permament member of the CBS 2 Weather Team until August when David Rogers was fired. He had previously worked at WTSP in Tampa.

"It has been such an honor being here in New York City, in my hometown, born and raised in New York," Berardelli told viewers at the end of this morning's broadcast. "I've been here for four years at WCBS, a fantastic station with fantastic people. Some of the most talented people in the business, honestly, work here."

He also called WFOR a "fantastic station" and said, "They have the best hurricane coverage in the United States." But he's not just trading in snow storms for hurricanes: "I just want to get in touch with the outdoors again." He said that he loves fishing, boating, scuba diving and kayaking.

"I'm really excited about the opportunity but I will really miss being here with you," he said to anchors Cindy Hsu and Kirstin Cole. "You guys are the best." Hsu and Cole made him a cake that said "Good bye and Good luck Jeff!"

He mentioned that he'll be back to help broadcast the "Tunnel to Towers" run because that cause is very important to him. The event is held every September. Berardelli's bio says that he "is active in the Tunnel To Towers Organization, designed to remember the victims of 9-11." He ran in it last year.

Berardelli is the third meteorologist to leave the station in recent months under the changes being instituted by News Director David Friend. Craig Allen and Audrey Puente are the others. A replacement has yet to be named publicly, though it's been rumored for months that Lonnie Quinn would be joining CBS 2.