Derek Van Dam is a weather anchor for CNN International, based at the network's headquarters in Atlanta. He provides weather reports and science bulletins on weekday and weekend editions of 'CNN Newsroom.' Van Dam is a "Certified Broadcast Meteorologist" by the American Meteorological Society (AMS), a designation which recognizes excellence in his field.

Van Dam was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He studied Meteorology & Broadcast/Cinematic Arts at Central Michigan University. After college Van Dam worked as a morning weather anchor at an NBC affiliate in Flint, Michigan. Prior to joining CNN International, Van Dam was credited with raising the quality and standards of weather broadcasting across the African continent with his previous position as Chief Meteorologist at eNews Channel Africa. He managed a team of seven meteorologists & climatologists while anchoring daily weather bulletins for the station's flagship news shows. His humanitarian work with a U.S.-based non-governmental organization (NGO) called "The Compassionate Life Foundation" is what first brought him to South Africa. He fell in love with the region, and in 2008 relocated to Cape Town to pursue a unique position within his field of work; launching South Africa's first 24-hour news channel.

Van Dam currently resides in Atlanta with his wife, he enjoys extreme sports including surfing and sailing. He is also an avid Ultra Marathon runner and has participated in two of South Africa's toughest single-day road and trail events.