Scott Padgett Biography: Age, Wife, Family, CBS 11 Career, Salary and Net Worth 2026 in 2026

Scott Padgett biography is one of the most searched weather star stories in Texas. He is the Chief Meteorologist for CBS News Texas (CBS 11 KTVT) in Dallas-Fort Worth. Fans love him for his calm style during tornado warnings, big Texas storms, and hot summer heat waves.

Why is Scott Padgett famous? He has led evening weather coverage in North Texas for over a decade. As of 2026, he is still on air every weeknight and is trusted by millions of viewers across Dallas, Fort Worth, and Arlington.

Quick Facts

Full Name	Scott Padgett
Nick Name	Scott
Profession	Meteorologist, TV Weather Anchor
Birth Date	April 12, 1977
Age	49 years 5 months old years old
Birth Place	Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Hometown	Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas
Nationality	American
Known For	Chief Meteorologist at CBS 11 / CBS News Texas
Ethnicity	White
Zodiac Sign	Aries
Height	5 feet 10 inches (178 cm)
Weight	175 lbs (79 kg)
Hair Color	Dark Brown
Eye Color	Brown
Qualification	B.S. in Geosciences / Broadcast Meteorology, Mississippi State University
Certification	AMS Certified Broadcast Meteorologist, NWA Seal of Approval
Religion	Christianity
Marital Status	Married
Wife / Spouse	Married (wife keeps a private life)
Children	2 daughters
Parents	Father and Mother (names private)
Siblings	Not publicly disclosed
Hobbies	Fishing, grilling, high school football, storm chasing, community events
Current Work	Chief Meteorologist, CBS News Texas (KTVT CBS 11), Dallas-Fort Worth
Years Active	1999 – Present
Salary	$120,000 – $180,000 per year (estimated)
Net Worth in 2026	$1.5 million (estimated)

If you watch Scott Padgett for Texas weather, you may also like Pete Delkus on WFAA, David Finfrock on NBC 5, Lonnie Quinn on CBS New York, Jeff Berardelli on CBS, and Albert Ramon on CBS News Texas. They are all trending meteorologists in America right now. Fans who follow severe weather coverage also search for Reed Timmer, Ginger Zee, and Jim Cantore.

Early Life & Education

Scott Padgett was born on April 12, 1977, in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. He grew up in the Southeast where strong storms, hurricanes, and hot summers are common. That early weather shaped his future.

As a kid, Scott loved watching clouds and thunderstorms. He would watch The Weather Channel for hours. He also loved science class in school. Friends say he always wanted to know why the sky changed so fast.

He went to high school in Georgia and stayed active in sports and school clubs. After high school, he chased his dream in weather. He joined Mississippi State University, one of the top schools for broadcast weather in the U.S.

At Mississippi State, he earned a B.S. degree in Geosciences with a focus on Broadcast Meteorology. He learned radar, forecasting, and TV reporting. He also trained for the American Meteorological Society (AMS) Certified Broadcast Meteorologist seal and the National Weather Association (NWA) Seal of Approval. Both seals show high skill and trust.

Career Journey and 2026 Update

Scott Padgett career spans more than 25 years in local TV. He started small, worked hard, and moved to bigger markets. Today he is a top face at CBS 11 in Texas.

Early Career Beginnings (1999 – 2006)

Scott started his TV career in the late 1990s. His first jobs were in smaller markets in the Southeast. He worked as a weekend meteorologist and reporter. He did live shots, cut graphics, and learned to forecast fast.

He later worked in Huntsville, Alabama, at WAAY-TV. Alabama is a tough place for weather with tornadoes and severe storms. That job gave him real storm experience. He covered tornado outbreaks and learned how to stay calm on live TV.

He then moved to Florida. He worked in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale market. There he covered hurricanes, tropical storms, and flooding. Hurricane coverage made him stronger and sharper.

Growth in Charlotte and National Exposure (2006 – 2013)

Scott joined WCNC-TV in Charlotte, North Carolina, as chief meteorologist. Charlotte is a big market with ice storms, hurricanes, and summer heat. He led evening newscasts and became well known in the Carolinas.

During this time, he won awards for severe weather coverage. He also did community school visits. He helped kids learn about weather safety. His friendly style made him a fan favorite.

Joining CBS 11 Dallas-Fort Worth (2013 – Present)

In 2013, Scott Padgett joined KTVT CBS 11 in Dallas-Fort Worth, now called CBS News Texas. This was a big step. Dallas-Fort Worth is the No. 5 TV market in America. Texas weather is wild, with tornadoes, hail, flash floods, and 100-degree heat.

He started as evening meteorologist. He now serves as Chief Meteorologist for CBS News Texas. You can see him on weeknight shows at 5, 6, and 10 p.m. He also breaks in during severe weather with wall-to-wall coverage.

His major coverage includes the 2015-2016 Texas floods, the 2019 Dallas tornado, the 2021 Texas winter freeze, the 2023-2024 hail storms, and the 2024 solar eclipse across Texas. Viewers trust him because he explains radar in simple words.

Recent Activity in 2026

As of September 2026, Scott Padgett is still the Chief Meteorologist at CBS News Texas. He leads storm coverage for the 2026 spring tornado season and the 2026 Texas summer heat wave. He is also active in CBS News Texas streaming weather specials.

In 2026, he has focused on new radar tools, First Alert Weather Days, and school safety talks. He posts daily video updates on social media. He also hosts community events around Dallas and Fort Worth. His recent activity shows no plans to leave CBS 11.

Scott Padgett Career Stats, Shows and Coverage

Scott does more than the daily forecast. Here is a quick look at his work:

Station: KTVT CBS 11 / CBS News Texas, Dallas-Fort Worth
Role: Chief Meteorologist – Evenings
Shows: CBS News Texas at 5 p.m., 6 p.m., 10 p.m., plus streaming cut-ins
Specials: First Alert Weather Specials, Tornado Safety, Hurricane Season Outlook, Winter Weather Guide
Major Events Covered: Texas tornado outbreaks, Dallas 2019 EF-3 tornado, Uri winter storm 2021, North Texas hail storms, Texas heat waves, 2024 total solar eclipse
Skills: Live Doppler radar, storm tracking, long-range forecasting, community outreach
Memberships: American Meteorological Society (AMS), National Weather Association (NWA)

Personal Life: Wife, Family and Children

Scott Padgett keeps his home life private. He is married and lives in the Dallas-Fort Worth area with his family. He rarely posts family photos, but he often talks about being a proud dad.

Who Is Scott Padgett’s Wife?

Scott Padgett’s wife stays out of the spotlight. Her name is not shared in public records. The couple has been married for many years. They met before his Texas move and moved together for his CBS 11 job.

She supports his late-night storm shifts and community work. Scott has said family support is key during long severe weather days.

Children and Family Tree

Wife: Married, name kept private
Daughters: 2 daughters
Parents: Raised him in Georgia, stay private
Pets: Family dog often seen in fun social posts

He loves spending free time with his kids. He coaches, goes to school events, and enjoys Texas high school football with his family.

Hobbies and Community Work

Outside TV, Scott loves fishing, grilling, and the outdoors. He is a big football fan. He supports local food drives, school visits, and weather safety camps. In 2026, he still visits North Texas schools to teach kids about tornado safety.

Dating History and Affairs

There is no public dating history or affair news for Scott Padgett. He has a clean image. He has been focused on marriage, kids, and work since his early career.

Awards & Achievements

Lone Star Emmy Award nominee and winner for weather coverage in Texas
AMS Certified Broadcast Meteorologist (CBM) – top honor for TV weather experts
NWA Seal of Approval for broadcast forecasting
Recognized for coverage of Dallas tornado, Texas floods, and 2021 winter freeze
Multiple Best Meteorologist nods in Dallas-Fort Worth viewer polls
25+ years of service in local TV weather, including 10+ years at CBS Texas

Physical Statistics

Height	5 feet 10 inches (178 cm)
Weight	175 lbs (79 kg)
Body Type	Athletic, fit
Hair Color	Dark Brown
Eye Color	Brown
Shoe Size	10 US
Skin Tone	Light

Best Quotes by Scott Padgett

“In Texas, always respect the sky. Have a plan before the sirens go off.”

“I do not just forecast the weather. I help families stay safe in it.”

“Radar is a tool, but clear words save lives during a tornado warning.”

Controversies

Scott Padgett has no major controversies. He is known for a clean and trusted image. Like many live meteorologists, he has faced social media heat when a forecast shifts. Texas weather changes fast, so rain chances or snow totals can miss.

He handles it with humor and facts. He explains why models changed. No scandals, no firings, and no public feuds have been linked to him as of 2026.

Favorites

Favorite Food: Texas BBQ, grilled steak, tacos
Favorite Team: Dallas Cowboys, Texas Rangers
Favorite Hobby: Fishing and lake weekends
Favorite Season: Fall in Texas
Favorite Movie Type: Action and weather documentaries
Favorite Place in Texas: Dallas Arboretum and local lakes

Earnings: Salary and Net Worth in 2026

Scott Padgett net worth in 2026 is estimated at $1.5 million. Most of his money comes from his long TV salary, plus speaking events and weather specials.

Scott Padgett salary at CBS 11 is estimated between $120,000 and $180,000 per year. Chief meteorologists in a top-5 market like Dallas often earn in this range. With 25+ years of work, his pay is on the higher side.

Here is a simple breakdown updated in 2026:

Yearly Salary (2026 est.): $145,000
Monthly Income (est.): $12,000
Net Worth (2026 est.): $1.2M – $1.8M
Main Income: CBS News Texas contract
Other Income: Hosting events, school programs, endorsements

Texas station salaries are not public, so these numbers are based on industry pay for chief meteorologists in Dallas-Fort Worth in 2026.

Interesting Facts

Scott has covered weather in four states: Alabama, Florida, North Carolina, and Texas.
He holds both AMS and NWA seals, which few TV meteorologists have.
He stayed on air for hours during the 2021 Texas freeze to guide viewers.
He loves storm chasing but always puts safety first.
He is known for using simple words on radar so kids and seniors can follow.
He visits dozens of Texas schools each year.
He is active on X, Facebook, and Instagram with daily forecasts.
He moved to Dallas in 2013 and never left.
He is a dog lover and grill master at home.
As of 2026, he is one of the longest-serving weather faces at CBS News Texas.

Did You Know Already?

Did you know Scott Padgett started TV weather in the late 1990s?
Did you know he covered hurricanes in Florida before tornadoes in Texas?
Did you know he helped lead eclipse coverage for Texas in 2024?
Did you know his 2026 First Alert specials focus on hail and flash flood safety?

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Scott Padgett?

Scott Padgett is an American meteorologist. He is the Chief Meteorologist for CBS News Texas (CBS 11 KTVT) in Dallas-Fort Worth. He is known for tornado, flood, and severe weather coverage.

How old is Scott Padgett in 2026?

He was born on April 12, 1977. As of September 2026, he is 49 years old.

Is Scott Padgett married? Who is his wife?

Yes, he is married. His wife keeps a private life and her name is not public. They have two daughters and live in North Texas.

What is Scott Padgett’s salary and net worth?

His 2026 salary is estimated at $120,000 to $180,000 per year. His net worth in 2026 is estimated at around $1.5 million from his long TV career.

Where is Scott Padgett now in 2026?

In 2026, he is still at CBS News Texas in Dallas-Fort Worth. He anchors weeknight weather and leads First Alert Weather coverage on TV and streaming.

How tall is Scott Padgett?

He is 5 feet 10 inches tall (178 cm) and weighs about 175 lbs.

Conclusion

Scott Padgett biography shows a steady rise from small-town weather to Texas prime time. His age, family life, CBS 11 career, salary, and net worth prove hard work pays off. As of 2026, he remains a trusted voice for North Texas storms.

Did you enjoy this story? Share it with friends and family who watch CBS News Texas. Leave a comment with your favorite Scott Padgett forecast moment.

Key Sources: CBS News Texas Official Bio, National Weather Service Storm Archives, Mississippi State University Department of Geosciences, American Meteorological Society Member Directory