***Official 2024 Weather Thread***

[mynameisjonas]

I don't like that. A colder regime?

Who woulda thunk it for mid January.

 

[KidSilverhair]

The Weather Channel doesn't really help either when they tag a name on a winter storm and then proceed to tell everyone how many hundreds of millions of Americans will be adversely affected by "Bob".

“Winter Storm Charmander”

They really do pick the goofiest names, and since it’s just the Weather Channel using them, they ride those names for all they’re worth.

 

[NorthCyd]

^^The exact reason why forecasters are almost more worn out by the days leading up to major weather events than the events themselves.

The random social media pages start putting out apocalyptic "forecasts" 10 days out. That forces us to respond & try to stop the hype train. People get deluged with posts and some of them almost seem to equate the quantity of posts with expected weather impact -- i.e. lots of talk = tons of snow -- even though most posts can be summarized as "Hey this might be significant, but it's just too early to know yet".

After days of that, the first reliable forecasts finally come out showing <4" of snow or something, and people feel like it's a bust and was overhyped just because they've been hearing chatter for a week or more.

Yeah, I can imagine that gets pretty exhausting. I'm not a meteorologist, but I do model natural systems as part of my job and I have a real appreciation for how accurate weather models are and how tough it has to be to look at the different models to come up with a good forecast. The accuracy the general public expects is pretty bonkers.

 

[SwirlyBird]

^^The exact reason why forecasters are almost more worn out by the days leading up to major weather events than the events themselves.

The random social media pages start putting out apocalyptic "forecasts" 10 days out. That forces us to respond & try to stop the hype train. People get deluged with posts and some of them almost seem to equate the quantity of posts with expected weather impact -- i.e. lots of talk = tons of snow -- even though most posts can be summarized as "Hey this might be significant, but it's just too early to know yet".

After days of that, the first reliable forecasts finally come out showing <4" of snow or something, and people feel like it's a bust and was overhyped just because they've been hearing chatter for a week or more.

Why not let the morons circle jerk and just report based on your models. Who cares if Richard from Sac City is getting amped up about 6 inches of snow.

 

[Tailg8er]

Bust written all over it folks

Bust? The post you quoted even said "minor impacts" - what else can they say (5+ days out, no less) for you to not be disappointed when it ends up being 2"?

If you're expecting some big storm with what's been forecasted thus far, I'd say that's on you.

 

[Cyclonepride]

Quad Cities afternoon discussion basically highlights the uncertainty of the track at this time, strong winds of 40+Monday night and then this gem at the end "Beyond this system a major pattern change to a snowier and colder regime is expected at least through the middle of January."

No

 

[knowlesjam]

“Winter Storm Charmander”

They really do pick the goofiest names, and since it’s just the Weather Channel using them, they ride those names for all they’re worth.

If the Weather Channel is going to drift into Pokemon land, at least use one that is ice/snow based instead of fire based.

C'mon guys...talk to your kids...

 

[cstrunk]

Why not let the morons circle jerk and just report based on your models. Who cares if Richard from Sac City is getting amped up about 6 inches of snow.

Because of all the idiots on social media that believe Richard from Sac City. Then when it only snows one inch it's the meteorologist's fault.

 

[BCClone]

Because of all the idiots on social media that believe Richard from Sac City. Then when it only snows one inch it's the meteorologist's fault.

Well, they are all nuts in sac city anyhow.

 

[nfrine]

Well, they are all nuts in sac city anyhow.

I see what you did there...A+

 

[Cydkar]

Because of all the idiots on social media that believe Richard from Sac City. Then when it only snows one inch it's the meteorologist's fault.

So what? Are they going to sue? If somebody is mad at me for something I DIDN'T do, I couldn't GAF.

 

[CYEATHAWK]

What needs to happen is those in the business need to stop using terms like "historic.....epic....extreme" every time they open their mouth.

 

[wxman1]

What needs to happen is those in the business need to stop using terms like "historic.....epic....extreme" every time they open their mouth.

I think you need to change your sources if that is what you are hearing.

 

[throwittoblythe]

^^The exact reason why forecasters are almost more worn out by the days leading up to major weather events than the events themselves.

The random social media pages start putting out apocalyptic "forecasts" 10 days out. That forces us to respond & try to stop the hype train. People get deluged with posts and some of them almost seem to equate the quantity of posts with expected weather impact -- i.e. lots of talk = tons of snow -- even though most posts can be summarized as "Hey this might be significant, but it's just too early to know yet".

After days of that, the first reliable forecasts finally come out showing <4" of snow or something, and people feel like it's a bust and was overhyped just because they've been hearing chatter for a week or more.

It's all click-bait news. They just want the viewers and the clicks. I forget which station it is (ABC?) but they have the same guy on the "big board" for all these "big" events now: elections, sports events, and weather. It's some nerdy looking guy with his sleeves rolled up and a stack of papers in his hand. It's all a farce. They want the viewers to think that guy has been up all night scouring data for whatever he's presenting. Unfortunately, people believe that crap is real.

 

[MushroomPinball]

It's all click-bait news. They just want the viewers and the clicks. I forget which station it is (ABC?) but they have the same guy on the "big board" for all these "big" events now: elections, sports events, and weather. It's some nerdy looking guy with his sleeves rolled up and a stack of papers in his hand. It's all a farce. They want the viewers to think that guy has been up all night scouring data for whatever he's presenting. Unfortunately, people believe that crap is real.

 

[Gunnerclone]

“Winter Storm Charmander”

They really do pick the goofiest names, and since it’s just the Weather Channel using them, they ride those names for all they’re worth.

Is this seriously called Charmander? Thats awesome. Hopefully it doesn’t end up evolving all the way to Charizard.

 

[KidSilverhair]

Is this seriously called Charmander? Thats awesome. Hopefully it doesn’t end up evolving all the way to Charizard.

No, I made that up.

 

[Gunnerclone]

No, I made that up.

TWC should hire you.

 

[ISUTex]

Why not let the morons circle jerk and just report based on your models. Who cares if Richard from Sac City is getting amped up about 6 inches of snow.

I don't follow Richard from Sac City. I rely on Frankie McDonald. He hasn't put out any updates on Katter Rapids, Iowa or the Midwest so I'm not too concerned.

 

[Cy Hard]

I don't follow Richard from Sac City. I rely on Frankie McDonald. He hasn't put out any updates on Katter Rapids, Iowa or the Midwest so I'm not too concerned.

You don't follow Dickie from Sac City? I've let him lead me my entire life.