what happened to matt devitt

Matt Devitt, the longtime chief meteorologist at WINK News in Southwest Florida, was recently let go from his role after about a decade at the station, and is now operating under “Matt Devitt Weather” as an independent brand on social media and beyond. There is no indication that anything happened to his health or safety; the change is about his employment and career direction.

Quick scoop

• Matt’s time with WINK News ended in early January 2026 after roughly 10 years as chief meteorologist, following a management decision at the station.

• Viewers in Southwest Florida reacted very strongly, with many public comments saying they were shocked and unhappy, and praising his hurricane coverage and calm style on air.

• He has shifted to using the “Matt Devitt Weather” name on platforms like Facebook and Instagram, suggesting he plans to continue doing weather content independently or with a future outlet.

• As of early 2026, he is still posting normal weather updates and general life messages, which indicates he is okay personally and professionally regrouping.

What changed with his job?

The key change is that WINK News ended his employment as chief meteorologist, rather than him publicly announcing a voluntary departure or retirement. Online discussion in local forums and comments describes it as a station or ownership decision, and many fans call it a “major loss” or “poor business decision.”

From the public posts visible now, there is no detailed official explanation of why the station made the move, only that his tenure there has ended. Commenters frequently reference recent ownership or management changes at the station when speculating about the decision.

How is Matt Devitt responding?

On social media, Matt has thanked viewers for their support and acknowledged their disappointment, while keeping his tone professional and positive. Messages from fans highlight his work during major storms like Hurricane Ian and stress that they will “go where you go” and continue following him.

His branding and page names are being updated to “Matt Devitt Weather,” which points toward a next chapter focused on his own weather brand, whether online- only or at a future TV station. At the same time, he continues sharing Florida weather photos, sunset images, and fun “firsts of 2026,” showing he remains active in forecasting and outreach.

Is he okay?

Nothing publicly available suggests that Matt is dealing with a medical emergency, accident, or personal crisis; the news is about career movement, not harm. His recent posts are upbeat weather content and thank-you messages, indicating he is moving forward and spending time with family while planning what comes next.

Note: Information here is drawn from public social media posts, local forum discussions, and other publicly visible online sources as of January 2026.