"Weatherguessers" and graphics

[bk42261]

Is it just me, or do the 'forecasters" get even LESS accurate with the more "visual aids" they put on the screen?

 

[Rustyt1953]

I get all my weather forecasts from Ollie Williams.

He's never wrong.

 

[Greyman50]

One of the few occupations that get paid when they are Wrong more than right…..

 

[bamashooter]

I feel that local weather types do less and less forecasting and just pull much of it "off" the wire so to speak.

 

[The Last Standing Knight]

Used to be more accurate when the news just had "weathermen/women" and a chart than meterologists with the latest warp-powered super mega doppler radar of death.
I usually go to NOAA's website for my forecasts...they are often radically different than the newscasts....and far more accurate.
Besides, everytime there is a small thunderstorm, these meterologists have so much doom and gloom/end of the human race predictions and forecasts they should play "My Heart Wil Go On" or "Nearer My God To Thee" when giving them.

 

[sceva]

I use a weather rock. It is suspended from a tree branch in the back yard.

If it's wet - Rain
If it's moving - Windy
If it's white - Snow
If it's in shadow - cloudy
and
If it's sticking straight out to the side - head for the basement

 

[JimW]

Just wet the tip of an index finger and hold it straight up in the air…job done.

 

[Bullet Bob]

"...get even LESS accurate with the more "visual aids"..."

Is that even possible?

 

[Retired W4]

I will check the aviation TAF (Terminal Aerodrome Forecast) for various airports in the vicinity. If you know all the abbreviations you are golden. If not they give it in "plain English" as well.

For example: An airport I flew out of for 7 years.

National Weather Service

forecast.weather.gov

 

[oldbrownhat]

Used to be more accurate when the news just had "weathermen/women" and a chart than meterologists with the latest warp-powered super mega doppler radar of death...

We have a gen-u-wine meterologist up here. Johanna Wagstaffe is the on-air meteorologist, seismologist and scientist for CBC VANCOUVER NEWS and CBC NEWS NETWORK...

Not just a pretty face, though:

...She graduated with an honours degree in geophysics from The University of Western Ontario. She was first exposed to weather forecasting as a summer intern at the Environment Canada Severe Weather Centre, then obtained her post-graduate meteorology certificate from York University...

...She got her pilot's license when she was 17 years old and still flies with her father in a 1943 Aeronca on the weekends.

 

[65-2x2]

I have a different take on the weather forecasting issues. If you grew up in the 50s and 60s like I did, you may feel like weather forecasting has advanced by light years. Our local forecasts are usually spot-on. If they tell you to expect rain by 2:00, you better close your windows.

 

[Bald1]

the local news out of Buffalo on ch4 (CBS AFFILIATE) is pretty good. They are always rated most accurate in the area. Just facts. They don't (usually) exaggerate snow forecast or winds. They tell you what's possible but then what is likely. …. I keep an eye on the Atlantic this time of yr because of our Naples Fl property. The national guys are a joke. I go right to Naples News or NOAA hurricane tracker

 

[oldbrownhat]

I use a weather rock. It is suspended from a tree branch in the back yard.

If it's wet - Rain
If it's moving - Windy
If it's white - Snow
If it's in shadow - cloudy
and
If it's sticking straight out to the side - head for the basement

These seem to be popular

 

[Rustyt1953]

Iggy's favorite.

 

[Rudi]

I spoke with a gentleman some years back. He had been a meteorologist for the USAF in Germany in the '60s He said they do a much better job of "forecasting" now with all the extra goodies they have. Hard to believe. But predicting most future events is not easy in any case.

 

[fiasconva]

A lot of us old farts have our own weather forecasting bodies: Knees start aching, it's going to rain.
And if rain is needed all I have to do is wash my truck. It will rain for the next 3 days.

 

[prairieviper]

I wonder if accuracy is the priority or whether it's more about hype and making sure you stay tuned. Every local station here in cornfields and cows country is pitching their weather app so you can "stay connected." We normally get our weather from the internet and NOAA.

 

[sparkyvega]

I call them "Weatherliars". Anymore it's more about sensationalism that getting the forecast right. It's all about pushing the fake climate change agenda. The newest shill is heat advisories in Alaska, I kid you not!

NWS Issues First Heat Advisory Ever For Alaska This Weekend | Weather.com

The National Weather Service office in Fairbanks, Alaska, has issued a heat advisory for Sunday. This is the first of its kind ever issued for the state of Alaska – but there's a catch.

weather.com

 

[NYlakesider]

I have thought for many years the more/fancier toys the weather people get the worse the forecasts will be. Another of my views is that the weather reporters are under some constraints from management to give the best possible forecast that they can. (Just short of downright lying!) If they cannot justify that they then give the most drear (The end of the world forecast) that they can get away with!

Being I live on a large lake in a tourist area I see that starting out on Mondays forecast, the weather clown will say something like very slight chance of showers for Saturday. Next day the percentage for rain/snow increases. Next day report is expect about a 20% chance of inclement weather. Thursday now the forecast for inclement weather is up to 40%. Friday and Sat/Sunday get here and we get at least two days of heavy rain.

Next Monday the cycle starts up again!

 

[SMSgt]

"...get even LESS accurate with the more "visual aids"..."

Is that even possible?

"Most accurate" weather reporting is like claiming to be the best shot--because you came closest to actually hitting the barn.