Once again, we've been deluged with "Winter Storm Warnings" in the Midwest
[...]
showing all of us that it is -- *gasp!* -- actually SNOWING outside!

Of course it's about ratings. But it's also about liability. I
remember reading about some people who went out boating on a lake in
upstate NY on a gorgeous day after seeing weather forcasts that were
equally glowing, and a freak storm came up and they drowned. The
weather station lost the lawsuit. (no, I don't have a cite, maybe
somebody else remembers)

If the forecasters go overboard with "Oh my god it's raining STAY
INSIDE!", then a lot of money can be made by putting out calming and
supportive weather information. Those stations will be more accurate
more of the time, their reliability will become known, they will make
more money, and then one day they will make a mistake.

Every agency that relied on their sunny forecast and is now stuck with
a foot of snow, six dead children, and schoolbusses stuck sideways
across the guardrails will forget all the time, money, and lives saved
by =not= overreacting in the past, and will eat their lunch.

Think "VFR not reccomended" is any different?

Jose
--
Money: What you need when you run out of brains.
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