What's In A Name?

weather.authority.bmp

In this week's media recap we turn to TV, or more specifically the nomenclature behind the local weather programming. The Gothamist appreciates the effort these stations put into marketing their specific weather segments. Allow us to take you though a few.

First, consider Fox 5's Weather Authority. Between the muscle bound Mike Woods to �Hey Nick?� Gregory, this is apparently where you can find the �legal and rightful power� over the weather.

Second, we often tune into to the Channel 2 weather report because it boasts an entire Weather Center. This is no stepchild of an operation for the local news, but an entire �center� to ensure we�re getting the correct weather report.

Speaking of accuracy, we encourage you to check out Channel 7's Accu-Weather forecast before making any wardrobe decisions for the week.

And, finally, there are channels who simply choose to go with the meteorologists name. The pressure is really on for people like Mr. G. and Joe Moreno to get it right.

This has been a Gothamist Definitive Doppler 9,000 Weather Hub report.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

April 18, 2004 11:07 PM

Comments [rss]

joe s

I would guess that most TV newscasts either use the National Weather Service forecast, or buy a forecast package from companies like Accuweather or WSI (the people behind intellicast). The other stations have meteorologists on staff who make their own forecasts, or tailor the Weather Service forecast for their specific city, but I doubt they are using their own code on their own supercomputer to make a forecast.

Leslita

yeah, i know what you mean. Joe told me the Fox5 website, for example, just re-purposes Accuweather forecasts in their frameset. pretty lame. as far as how much is done on the spot in the studio/office, i bet Joe would know. and i think you're right in assuming not much!

jake

if you notice, the image on this post is slightly to large, and breaking the box. the pictures need to be no larger than 450px.

and leslie, my question is this: all the newscasts have those impressive looking weather corners or weather rooms on the sets, but they just download the forecast from some national center, right? i mean, are they really processing like the data on site, and trying to come up with their own forecast? b/c that seems pretty unlikely.