Peter Coade, a cherished figure in Canadian broadcasting and one of the Maritimes’ most trusted voices in weather forecasting, passed away on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at the age of 82. He had been battling dementia and had been hospitalized at Hants Community Hospital since November, according to his son.
For more than five decades, Coade brought warmth, reliability, and calm guidance to audiences across Nova Scotia and beyond. His passing marks the end of an era in Canadian meteorology and leaves behind a remarkable legacy.
In Loving Memory of Francisco Javier Sotelo Rodarte1987 – 2024
A Career Sparked by Curiosity
Coade’s journey into meteorology began by chance. As a Grade 11 student at St. Patrick’s High School in Halifax, he chose to job-shadow a CBC meteorologist as a way to skip school—an innocent decision that would shape the rest of his life. What started as a casual escape turned into a lifelong passion, leading him to become one of the most recognizable weather voices in Canadian history.
Broadcasting Across Canada
In the early stages of his career, Coade worked in radio in various parts of the country, including Happy Valley-Goose Bay in Labrador, where he delivered weather updates to a U.S. Air Force audience. He later took on roles at CBC, CFRB in Toronto, and the Canadian International Air Show. His career gained further momentum when he joined ATV and ASN in 1990, and he eventually returned to CBC in 2007, where he became a familiar and reassuring presence in homes throughout the Maritimes.
A Trusted Voice in Times of Crisis
Coade’s expertise became especially vital during significant weather events. In 2003, he accurately predicted the path of Hurricane Juan—a storm that brought winds over 145 km/h and widespread power outages affecting more than 300,000 homes. While U.S. forecasters misjudged the storm’s unusual course, Coade’s insight helped prepare and protect communities in its path.
Only months later, during White Juan, one of the region’s biggest snowstorms, Coade once again proved his dedication. Despite knowing he’d be stranded in the city for days, he humorously admitted to forgetting a change of underwear—an anecdote that showed his human touch amid chaos.
A Record-Breaking Career
When he retired in 2016, Coade held the Guinness World Record for the longest career as a weather forecaster. His calm demeanor and deep knowledge earned him respect from both colleagues and viewers. CBC anchor Tom Murphy recalled, “He was that calming, informative voice to help us cope on the eve of a hurricane or pick a sunny day at the beach. The audience repaid him with their respect. Above all, he was a tremendous colleague we all miss.”
A Life Well Lived
Outside the spotlight, Coade found joy in family life. He is survived by his son, daughter, four grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. Even in retirement, his influence lingered—his predictions, insights, and warmth remembered by generations of Maritimers.
Final Thoughts
Peter Coade’s death is a profound loss to the Maritimes and the broadcasting world. But more than that, it’s the farewell to a man whose voice carried not just forecasts, but comfort and connection. His legacy will live on through the lives he touched and the storms he helped people weather—both literal and metaphorical.
