I was glad to see some of the national cable networks using experienced meteorologists during their coverage of hurricane Rita yesterday. Seems like CNBC and Fox News Channel are contracting with AccuWeather since Joe Bastardi was on both channels. I don't agree with Joe all of the time, but I think he is brilliant and has a tremendous understanding of tropical meteorology. He knows what he is talking about.
On a regular basis, most of the cable news channels have some very nice looking people doing the weather segments, but they are people who in MOST cases clearly have no working knowledge of the science. Sure, they are very good looking people and speak very clearly. And, they have very nice clothes. But, putting somebody like that on the air doing weather during a dangerous hurricane is dangerous in itself.
I will be the first to admit I am not good looking, I have no hair, and I don’t have particularly good taste in clothes. And, I have a south Alabama drawl. As a young child I lived in Greenville for many years, and my southern accent has deep roots in Butler county. I am not your standard TV person. I love the science of meteorology, but am not overly thrilled about being on TV.
But I have studied meteorology for a large percentage of my life. Not only in college, but also in this weather office, and the other weather offices where I have worked over the past 27 years. I still have so much to learn, but experience is a great teacher.
I upgraded my American Meteorological Society Seal of Approval to the new “certified broadcast meteorologist” designation earlier this year so people watching can know that I am serious about what I do. I have a real passion for weather, and I have tried to learn from many mistakes over the years. And, the learning process continues every single day.
I will assure you all of the meteorologists in our operation (there are four of us employed by ABC 33/40, and three more that are on our team from The Weather Company, for a total of 7) are serious about the weather. I think long time blog readers understand that.
Surely after this hurricane season the cable channels will invest in qualified meteorologists for their on-air weather positions. I was at my mom’s place yesterday installing a piece of electronic equipment for her, and the TV was on a national cable channel. I was shocked at the inaccuracies and misinformation.
Nope, I have absolutely no interest in any national job; I am here to stay. But, this is a call for Fox News Channel, MSNBC, and CNN to continue to seek out certified meteorologists in the future. I think the public will and should demand it. Those pretty people can review movies or interview movie stars. Maybe even read the news.
On a regular basis, most of the cable news channels have some very nice looking people doing the weather segments, but they are people who in MOST cases clearly have no working knowledge of the science. Sure, they are very good looking people and speak very clearly. And, they have very nice clothes. But, putting somebody like that on the air doing weather during a dangerous hurricane is dangerous in itself.
I will be the first to admit I am not good looking, I have no hair, and I don’t have particularly good taste in clothes. And, I have a south Alabama drawl. As a young child I lived in Greenville for many years, and my southern accent has deep roots in Butler county. I am not your standard TV person. I love the science of meteorology, but am not overly thrilled about being on TV.
But I have studied meteorology for a large percentage of my life. Not only in college, but also in this weather office, and the other weather offices where I have worked over the past 27 years. I still have so much to learn, but experience is a great teacher.
I upgraded my American Meteorological Society Seal of Approval to the new “certified broadcast meteorologist” designation earlier this year so people watching can know that I am serious about what I do. I have a real passion for weather, and I have tried to learn from many mistakes over the years. And, the learning process continues every single day.
I will assure you all of the meteorologists in our operation (there are four of us employed by ABC 33/40, and three more that are on our team from The Weather Company, for a total of 7) are serious about the weather. I think long time blog readers understand that.
Surely after this hurricane season the cable channels will invest in qualified meteorologists for their on-air weather positions. I was at my mom’s place yesterday installing a piece of electronic equipment for her, and the TV was on a national cable channel. I was shocked at the inaccuracies and misinformation.
Nope, I have absolutely no interest in any national job; I am here to stay. But, this is a call for Fox News Channel, MSNBC, and CNN to continue to seek out certified meteorologists in the future. I think the public will and should demand it. Those pretty people can review movies or interview movie stars. Maybe even read the news.
on September 20, 2005, 8:17 pm
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on September 20, 2005, 8:37 pm
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