Derek Kinkade Biography
Derek Kinkade is an American meteorologist working for WTVM as the chief meteorologist since 2011. He joined the station in July 2006 as a meteorologist and has served the station for more than a decade. Previously, he worked for WMGT where he did morning weather for a year.
Derek Kinkade Education
Kinkade joined Mississippi State University in 2001 when he finished his high school education. In 2005, he graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor Of Science degree in Geosciences emphasizing Broadcast Meteorology along with a Communications minor.
Derek Kinkade Career
Kinkade has worked for WTVM as the chief meteorologist since 2011. Upon joining the station, he first worked as a meteorologist. He has the seal of approval from both the American Meteorological Society and the National Weather Association Seal of Approval, making the sole meteorologist in the Columbus television market to hold both seals.
As a senior college, Kinkade did the weekend weather at the ABC affiliate in Meridian, WTOK. During his first day on TV, he delivered a wall-to-wall broadcast of Hurricane Ivan’s landfall. Following his time in Meridian, he relocated to Macon, Georgia where he served WMGT holding the morning weather duties for a year.
Ever since he was a 4-year-old, he has been passionate about the weather. His interest in weather was fueled by the several severe weather occasions he experienced including the 1993 Blizzard and many tornado outbreaks.
Kinkade is also passionate about visiting schools and explaining to kids the significance of severe weather safety. He has traveled across WTVM’s broadcasting region to speak to kids throughout the years. He regards this as the best part of his job.
Derek Kinkade Age
Kinkade likes to keep his personal life private and hence has not yet disclosed the year and month he was born. It is therefore not known when he celebrates his birthday. However, he might be in his 30s.
Derek Kinkade Height
Kinkade stands at an approximate height of 5 feet and 7 inches.
Derek Kinkade Family
Kinkade grew up in Rainbow City, Alabama but has managed to keep his personal life away from the limelight hence he has not disclosed any information about his parents. It is also not if Kinkade has any siblings.
Derek Kinkade Wife
Kinkade married Taylor Kinkade. Taylor is a journalist who previously reported at WTVM. The couple has two sons, Jackson and Carter. Jackson was born in January 2015 and is 9 years old as of 2024. Carter, the younger one, was born in May 2018 weighing 8 pounds and 15 ounces and 21 inches long. He is 6 years old as of 2024.
On May 31, 2018, WTVM congratulated them for the safe delivery of their second son via their website. Further, they have a dachshund named Johnny and a chi-weenie named June. Taylor celebrates her birthday every February 27th as evidenced by his Facebook post on February 27, 2019, captioned “Happy happy birthday to my wife!…” During his free time, he loves hanging out with his friends and family, watching college football (Roll Tide!), and traveling.
Derek Kinkade Net Worth
Kinkade has an estimated net worth ranging between $1 Million – $5 Million which he has earned through being a meteorologist.
Derek Kinkade Salary
Kinkade earns an annual salary ranging between $40,000 – $ 110,500.
WTVM
Kinkade is working at WTVM where he works alongside other famous anchors and reporters including;
- Cheryl Renee
- Barbara Gauthier
- Ben Stanfield
- Jason Dennis
- Roslyn Giles
- Tyler Allender