ONE MAN’S GAIN IS ANOTHER MAN’S LOSS

For a broadcast meteorologist, delivering an accurate forecast is only half of the battle. You must also understand how the forecast will impact your viewers. When I was very young, I remember watching the morning forecast one day with my dad before heading off to work on the family farm. The season had been extremely dry, and our crops were badly in need of rain. The local meteorologist was on air talking about the “beautiful sunny weather” and how it would be a great day to head to the beach. My dad just shook his head and said: “I don’t care about going to the beach- we need the rain!”

It’s easy for meteorologists to lose site of the impact that even “innocent” weather patterns can have on folks. Personally, I’ve been enjoying all of the nice, warm weather so far this winter. It didn’t even occur to me that many of the major ski businesses in the western Carolinas have really been hurting financially because of the unseasonably balmy days. Viewers themselves are sometimes guilty of not seeing “the big picture”. Snow lovers (my family included) will often hope for several inches of the white stuff, even though winter storms can lead to long & dangerous hours for DOT employees and emergency workers.

And speaking of snow- don’t give up on “Old Man Winter” just yet. We’re not even 1/3 of the way through the season! In fact, 4 out of the 5 top snows of all time happened during February in southeastern North Carolina. Over a foot of snow fell in coastal counties back in February of 1973 alone. And who knows, this may be our year to see another big March snow (winter officially lasts through part of March for a reason). Wilmington and surrounding areas picked up over 6 inches of snow back in March of 1980.

And regardless of your definition of ideal weather, just remember the valuable “advice” often quoted to new coastal residents. If you don’t like the weather, just wait five minutes. It’ll change…