It struck me as funny...
By BarBaraPrz
@BarBaraPrz (47274)
St. Catharines, Ontario
February 13, 2009 10:49am CST
I had some dental work done yesterday (a very blustery day) and the dentist asked the assistant if she had heard the weather forecast for the weekend. She replied, "No. They lie." and went on to say she could do just as bad a job of forecasting the weather as they do for half the money.
What do you think? Do the forecasters know what they're talking about?
1 person likes this
7 responses
@foxyfire33 (10005)
• United States
13 Feb 09
I'm sure some try but no, I don't think they know what they're talking about half the time. I was recently amused by a radio forecast: (keep in mind it's towards the end of our winter)
Announcer:" This weekend the temperatures will probably be in the 30's-40's, with some sun and some clouds, and a chance of either snow or rain" Umm, yeah buddy, you sure covered all the basics there...
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@foxyfire33 (10005)
• United States
13 Feb 09
LOL...no, but he did remind us that temperatures would be coolest during the overnight but would begin to warm up after daybreak...oh, that's what that big shiny thing in the sky is for!
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@goldeneagle (6745)
• United States
18 Feb 09
Overall, I think they do a pretty good job of giving us an IDEA what to expect. No one truly knows what the weather is going to do until it actually happens. Weather forecasts are nothing more than predictions made when the data provided by satellite and radar systems is analyzed. It is true that they leave themselves room for error by making generalized statements like the ones listed above, but overall, I think they do a pretty good job most of the time. It is truly better than having NO idea what to expect...
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@TheCatLady (4691)
• Israel
24 Feb 09
When I lived in San Francisco I never paid attention to the weather forecast. It was easier and more accurate to look out the window and see what kind of a day it was. The weather reporters were wrong almost as often as they were right when it came to weather for that day. When they were reporting long term forecasts they were a bit more accurate, but I don't care about the weather 1 week from now, I want to know what to put on before I go out the door in the morning.
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@BarBaraPrz (47274)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
24 Feb 09
When I lived in Vancouver I always took my umbrella with me, even if it wasn't raining. It was a rare few days in July that I could safely leave it at home. Not that it constantly rained, but if I didn't take it, I would almost certainly get caught in a flash shower.
@spalladino (17891)
• United States
14 Feb 09
I think some areas of the country are harder to forecast than others. When I was in Maryland it was hard to predict storm tracks because the mountain range to the west could stop or divert them in a different direction. Now that I'm in south Florida we depend heavily on our weather forecasters during hurricane season and they all do a good job as far as I'm concerned.
@Opal26 (17679)
• United States
14 Feb 09
Hey Barbara! You know I think she might be right! I think they
know some of what might happen, but kind of guess the rest!
They usually over predict the snowfall amounts I think just
to be on the safe side! I notice they never get that right!
They have all that equipment, but I swear they don't really
know what's going to happen! I only half pay attention to
what they're saying! I just hope they get the temperature
sort of right so I know how to dress to go outside!
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@BarBaraPrz (47274)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
14 Feb 09
If there is a call for rain and I have to go out, I'll usually take an umbrella. (Didn't yesterday because of the wind, but didn't need it anyway even though it was supposed to rain.)
@jessi0887 (2788)
• United States
13 Feb 09
I think they are not always right. Wednesday rain was suppose to have 80% chance. It only sprinkled once in one area of our metro area for less than ten minutes. It was more like 5%. I was wanting the rain as well. Its suppose to rain today and tomorrow. I better see it too.
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@BarBaraPrz (47274)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
13 Feb 09
Yeah, we were supposed to have freezing rain (maybe snow) yesterday but only got a few sprinkles, too.
I guess the wind blew the rainclouds away.
@mysdianait (66009)
• Italy
13 Feb 09
If it's any consolation I think they go to the same school as ours here in Italy.
Yesterday they said that here in the north we were in for a cold spell coming from Russia which would last through the week-end. This morning we have brilliant sunshine! Today's forecast started by saying 'well the sunny weather in the north has settled as predicted...'
I am still trying to remember whether 'cold' mreally means a sunny spell 
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