Paul Dunphy Looks back at more than 30 years at Global Calgary

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 Paul Dunphy has been forecasting the weather for Global Calgary for more than 30 years. . Global News
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Wow, Global Calgary is actually 65 years old.

By the way, it was a whole lot warmer when crews switched on the lights and transmitter on this day in 1954. The high was 18 C under partly cloudy skies.

I find it hard to believe we signed on the air that long ago and I also find it hard to believe that I have been forecasting and presenting the weather on Global for more than half of that time — over 34 years.

I remember watching what was then CHCT-TV on my family’s black-and-white Marconi television in the 60s. My parents always referred to the station simply as “Channel 2.” In 1979, when the station was purchased by Selkirk Broadcasting, the call sign became CFAC-TV. We have gone through a few more owners and name changes since.

Early in my career, I worked as a DJ at CFAC radio (now SN960 The Fan) and did some commercial voice-over work for our sister TV station out of studios located in a former sea cadet drill hall — a quonset-style building at 955 Rideau Road S.W. I was intrigued by the television business and soon made the move to TV as a weather presenter.

In the beginning, 34 years ago, we literally drew on chalkboards that had maps painted on them.

Satellite and radar imagery did not exist. Computers have not only significantly changed forecasting but also the way we present those forecasts on-air.

One of the best parts of my job is working with great people every day. When I arrived in Calgary in 1977 to work at the radio station, I couldn’t wait to meet Ed Whalen, who was the news and sports director of both operations and a broadcasting legend. He was a great mentor and person.

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