Top Reasons Your Local Forecast is Wrong - A Tutorial

How often has your local meteorologist been wrong? (Come on! You know there have been at least a FEW times when you wondered how he or she keeps their job!)

Well, it isn't easy being a meteorologist and part of the reason is the high variability of weather systems. The outlook on a 10 day forecast is so poor, I think I would rather bet on a horse race. At least I know someone will end up the winner!

Although the old days of hand drawing weather maps are basically over, a forecaster still has to rely on many factors in the interpretation of data. In addition to the difficulty of putting together piles of data, these brave men and women (whom we often blame for being wrong!) have to know local and worldwide weather patterns since Earth is a system. In other words, weather around the globe affects the weather in your local newscast area. Add the pressure of being on camera and educating the community about weather disasters, and you have your local meteorologist. A tough job at times.

If you think you could forecast the weather, try this quick tutorial which will lead you through a series of symbols. Keep in mind these are just the basic symbols! Can you memorize them? Test your knowledge now!