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1. Homer
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   Wow, is it just me or are the weather'men' around this area doing a terrible job this year! I mean, I like them as people and their personalities, but what's the deal with all of them calling for rain and it being sunny, and calling for sun or clearing and it starts to pour? It seems polar opposite from what they forecast even just one day before!

   Could it be they aren't well versed in forecasting anything but sun and warm so far into June/July? ;-)

   Just sayin', they seem worse than normal this year! Such as today, the 4th. Was supposed to be cloudy start and burning off mostly (or at worst, just cloudy) for the fireworks just yesterday....what's all this rain! Oh, have I mentioned how much they're paid for this job....man, I'll take it!

   Posted 1 year ago #         

2. pam
   Member Profile

   Are you eavesdropping at our door!?!? That is a conversation we have here all the time - can you imagine being wrong that frequently at your job? You'd be fired! Oh man.... don't get us started!

   Posted 1 year ago #         

3. Homer
   Member Profile

   

   LOL! I know, and they even have all of this super expensive technology and powerful computers! It's like they're being over-optimistic this year but it's screwing with my planning! They are pretty much paid to be wrong! I'd be rich if I did that at my job! ;-) Seriously though, yes, computer models can change at the last minute but it seems like EVERY forecast lately is wrong....Pretty much gonna pack my sunglasses and rain coat wherever I go!

   Oh, and they almost never admit they're wrong, they just update their forecast like nothing ever happened and this is what they expected...at least own up to it once in a while!

   Posted 1 year ago #         

4. The Velvet Bulldog
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   I prefer to follow Cliff Mass' weather blog--you get an explanation of why the weirdness is happening: http://cliffmass.blogspot.com/

   Posted 1 year ago #         

5. Homer
   Member Profile

   

   Actually took a class from Cliff back in college...nice guy and yeah, his blog seems to be right on! So, if you don't get paid a ton, you have a more vested interest and you do a better job....this must be the lesson here....sounds like he loves doing it and he's gotten good for his job and fun, not just for the job.

   Posted 1 year ago #         

6. miws
   Member Profile

   

   And you've been eavesdropping in my head, Homer!

   I like our weathercasters as well, but yeah, for the last month or so, it's like they'll say; "Well.....it's gonna be wet for the few days, but, on Tuesday, we're expecting sun and in the '70's!"

   Then come Tuesday, is the same, cold, crappy, murky weather that's been ongoing for awhile!

   Of course, even with all of their fancy gadgets they aren't right 100% of the time, but at least occasionally they'll have a wrong forecast that will actually be much better than they had earlier predicted.

   Mike

   Posted 1 year ago #         

7. JanS
   Member Profile

   

   well, let's just hope that the rest of the week turns out the way they predict - lol. Sunny in the 80's...and maybe we can dry out just a bit..especially since next weekend is WS Summerfest :)

   How long do you think it'll take before someone says "Hot enough fer ya"? hehehe

   Posted 1 year ago #         

8. ws4ever
   Member Profile

   Forgot who warned about bad weather during fireworks, but they were right on! Glad I didn't have the usual deck party because it would have been(or I would have felt) dismal 'splainin'.

   Posted 1 year ago #         

9. EmmyJane
   Member Profile

   

   Funny, we pretty much comment on this daily but had a big discussion about it this morning. My mom says "I can't imagine being wrong so often at my job and keeping it!" I guess this is one of the hardest areas to predict weather, but you would still think the accuracy rate would be a little higher.

   Our solution is that every day the weatherpeople just need to predict cloudy with a chance of rain, possibly turning to sun in the afternoon. Accuracy would be near 100%.

   Not to mention the 10 day forecast. Jeez, why do they even bother? There is no way to accurately predict weather that far out.

   Posted 1 year ago #         

10. herongrrrl
    Member Profile

    When I took atmospherics in college, I remember our professor saying that they sent weather forecasters here to teach them humility. In other parts of the country, it's much easier to predict the weather accurately. Here, between the geography, the jet stream, and various other factors, it's a much tougher job.

    Generally I don't listen to the weather forecasts anymore. I've learned enough tricks for reading the clouds that I usually get a little warning before it rains, and there's not much I do where it really matters if it's raining. I may eat those words next month, though, when I'm counting on dry weather so I can paint the house!

    Posted 1 year ago #         

11. Mater
    Member Profile

    I have been thinking the same thing. I left to buy a ticket for the Brewersfest for my husband for Father's Day (only a few days before). Before I left it was predicted to be 70 on Father's Day. I got home after purchasing the ticket and it changed to 66 and the next day they said 63 and rain! And yes, it rained all day. WTF?!

    Posted 1 year ago #         

12. Homer
    Member Profile

    

    I know, this is so bad this year...sorry Mater, wonder how the Farmer's Almanac did this year in comparison?

    Posted 1 year ago #         

13. JayDee
    Member Profile

    Trust in the 2-3 day forecasts, and read the NWS forecast discussions--it is like the 2nd derivative of the forecast--it says what the forecasters think about the forecast.
    -
    Even Cliff Mass will say that any forecast around here greater than 5 days is a dream. But the official forecasts (not these recent "upper low" forecasts) can be pretty darn accurate 5-6 days out. Heck, Cliff (and the NWS) called the transition to sunny clear and warm weather last Thursday. So not all hope is lost. But the TV guys have financial pressure to project 10 days ahead, but it is fictional.

    Posted 1 year ago #         

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