Weather Forecasters

[no color]

What gives with the Weather Network these days? It seems that they are off to lunch or something. The weather is usually the opposite of what they forecast. Has it always been like this?They had foecast rain for today, however we have so far not seen a drop. There was no rain intended for yesterday, and we had several thundershowers. A couple of weeks ago, I recall one evening they had clearly forecast 0% chance of rain for the following day. The next day, sure enough it rained.

I had never really paid attention to the weather till recently as I have a project to do around my home which involves lots of cement. I need to have good weather for the entire day, otherwise it's a no go. I had planned on observing the forecasts for about a week to see the weather patterns and the safe range (say up to 20% chance of rain) to go ahead with my work. However, I learned that the weather hardly ever matches the forecast. I guess I'll need to hire a contractor to do the work as it will be his responsibility to know when it won't rain (how he'll do it is beyond me ?????).

What I'd like to know is, what's the purpose of having meteorologists? I'm surprised the Weather Network is still on the air. Would be nice if you could hold them liable for any mishaps caused by bad weather that was not forecast.
:-|

 

[#juan]

I use http://www.weatheroffice.gc.ca/city/pages/bc-20_metric_e.html

They aren't always right but they are usually pretty close. You can set it up for any city in Canada as I'm sure you know. They are generally right for the next day but as you add more time to the forecast, the more chance for errors.

 

[Tonington]

Pretty much every region I've been to in Canada has the same saying, "Don't like the weather? Wait fifteen minutes." That sums it up pretty well. Weather is unpredictable, the discrepancy between the forecasts is due to the different models used by the different forecasters.

 

[Outta here]

10:00 am and it's already 26 degrees.

I may have to go stick my head in the freezer by noon. Anyone got a better idea for keeping cool?
:glasses7::sunny::glasses7::sunny:

 

[karrie]

10:00 am and it's already 26 degrees.

I may have to go stick my head in the freezer by noon. Anyone got a better idea for keeping cool?
:glasses7::sunny::glasses7::sunny:

We're thinking West Edmonton Mall, or the Telus World of Science for our activities today. We're already hiding in the basement. My ultrawhite kids just can't take this much sun.

 

[#juan]

10:00 am and it's already 26 degrees.

I may have to go stick my head in the freezer by noon. Anyone got a better idea for keeping cool?
:glasses7::sunny::glasses7::sunny:

I see you are supposed to get up to 34 degrees. (93.2) You could find an air conditioned bar...

 

[IdRatherBeSkiing]

Don't beleive any weather forecast except for current tempature. I've been told by the weather network it is pouring rain while looking out at bright sunshine. 7 day forcasts? Give me a break. Its all black magic and basically they don't really have a clue how weather really works. Maybe someday, someone will unravel the mystery.

 

[Outta here]

lollll Juan... yesssssssssss - I see great merit in your solution.

Karrie, I don't know if you've checked out "THE MALL" yet, but if you've got the stamina for that joint at the height of tourist season, hats off to ya. :confused2:

Hate to say it, but given a choice between scorching my butt off in 34 degree heat or finding refuge at "THE MALL" I might have to opt for the heat.... unless I was going to plant said butt in one of their many air conditioned bars. :laughing6:

 

[karrie]

lollll Juan... yesssssssssss - I see great merit in your solution.

Karrie, I don't know if you've checked out "THE MALL" yet, but if you've got the stamina for that joint at the height of tourist season, hats off to ya. :confused2:

Hate to say it, but given a choice between scorching my butt off in 34 degree heat or finding refuge at "THE MALL" I might have to opt for the heat.... unless I was going to plant said butt in one of their many air conditioned bars. :laughing6:

I don't mind West Ed, but, I think I've planned cheaper ways of spending the day. The library at Londonderry is one definite idea (and puts us near their pool if we so decide). And, we have a membership at Telus World of Science, so it won't cost us to go enjoy their airconditioning. If I didn't have the kids, I think I'd be planted at the local sports bar. lol.

 

[Outta here]

Karrie - On the fly here, but have you checked out Borden Park yet? It has a free outdoor wading pool for the small fry, and another one with an entrance fee that's also an outdoor pool. Wonderful for scorchers like today. Also has picnic tables and bbq's and plenty trees for shade, areas to play boccie or frisbee etc. Great place to spend a day with the family. Rundle park is another good one. A full playground, lots of paths for walking, access to the river valley, and if I remember correctly, a skateboard park. Oh yeah, also Castledowns has an outdoor waterpark. But stupidly, the planers didn't include trees for shade, so the kids love it cause they never come out of the water, but the adults sit there and melt while their kids shoot water at each other with the water canons lollll.
Gotta run, hope you manage to stay cool.

 

[karrie]

Thanks for the suggestions Zan. But, my kids have been sunsick for a bit now (seriously, they are white white white kids, my cousins make fun of it constantly). Indoor activities are the agenda today. On a cooler day, I'll be sure to check out those parks though. I drove past the CastleDowns one recently, and had considered it for today, but decided against it for lack of shade. lol.

 

[no color]

The Weather Network Sucks

I know I may be a little harsh to say that the Weather Network Sucks ... but it sure as hell does suck!

I left the home to do my grocery shopping this afternoon. However, prior to leaving I paid close attention to the day's forecast on the weather channel. They clearly forecast 0% precipitation for this afternoon and this evening. As there was ZERO chance of it raining, I took the pickup truck. Upon leaving the grocery store, it was a little cloudy, but not raining, and recalling that there was no chance for rain, I placed the grocery bags in the bed of the truck. Sure enough, five minutes after I left the Loblaw's parking lot, it had started raining. After I got home some 20/25 minutes later, the bags were all soaked.

I am not a weather forecaster nor am I familiar with the science that supports it. However, to forecast NO RAIN with a zero percent probability, and it poured this afternoon, then I wonder how these folks could still be in business. Had they forecast 20% or even a 10% chance for rain, I would have accepted their forecast, but now it appears they have no credibility as this is inexcusable. I wish we could somehow sue them for forecasting the wrong weather.

I really feel for the folks out there who were doing major renovation work around their homes (based on the no rain forecast), such as repaving the driveway or redoing the shingles on the roof. They probably would like to have the option to sue as they surely are not responsible for any additional costs added to their project due to the rain which was not forecast. All they can do is try and get reimbursed by their home insurance which will ultimately go up.

 

[no color]

Does anyone know how to determine for sure whether it will rain? In Montreal, the Environment Canada site currently calls for "Mainly Sunny" skies today. I am looking out the window right now and it is overcast, looks like rain.

I need to spray a significant amount of very expensive anti-weed liquid onto my lawn, however I need to ensure that the lawn stays dry. I waited till today to do this work as the forecast called for sunny skies today.

Also,does anyone know of a "reliable" site that actually forecasts the correct weather.

Thanks ...

 

[lone wolf]

Not really.... If it's cloudy to the west, it might rain. My dog gives at least four hours' warning if there's boob-boom coming....

 

[IdRatherBeSkiing]

Does anyone know how to determine for sure whether it will rain? In Montreal, the Environment Canada site currently calls for "Mainly Sunny" skies today. I am looking out the window right now and it is overcast, looks like rain.

I need to spray a significant amount of very expensive anti-weed liquid onto my lawn, however I need to ensure that the lawn stays dry. I waited till today to do this work as the forecast called for sunny skies today.

Also,does anyone know of a "reliable" site that actually forecasts the correct weather.

Thanks ...

God. But if you can't get ahold of Him, you need to look out the window. There is no reliable forcast. They all have models which all behave differently but none of the models match real life 100%. If they did, they would have 1 model.

Look at the weather radar, look out the window, and plan your day accordingly.

 

[TenPenny]

Look at the radar images on line, that will give you an idea.

 

[lone wolf]

Britt weather radar has spared me 'n' Dizel many a drenching. Imagine.... A lab who doesn't like getting wet....

 

[no color]

They got the weather mixed up again. The weather forecasters called for a storm yesterday in Montreal, and instead it looks like we're getting it today. I was outside earlier, and there is blowing snow everywhere. There was no forecast of a storm today. Really odd.

 

[damngrumpy]

Weather for any given area is spread out over a wide area. For example the weather office
says it will rain in an area it does not have to rain in the entire area just any portion of it.
Percentage figures are misleading as well it gives a lot of leeway for error.
Besides weather masses are often very unstable leading to rapid change or opposite conditions.