It is truly disheartening to hear some of the animosity and absolute nonsense that individuals throw about concerning this topic. To tell the truth, when I began studying atmospheric sciences at Cornell, I had no idea that the major was so difficult. The major is HARD to complete in FOUR years, let alone two.

But that aside, I believe that anybody can learn to read data and surface progs. Anybody could read MOS and say this and that, but doesn't the public deserve something a little better? Granted I don't solve the 3D frontogenesis or quasigeostrophic-omega equations on a daily basis, but don't you think it might be helpful to know what the computer is integrating to give you a temp=30, pops=60? Or is it just simply giving a good guess, and if you are completely wrong, well it is the weather were talking about?

I don't want to get too philosophical about the entire thing, but personally, if the NWS calls for 35-40 (plucks the MOS numbers), and I predict 32 as a high and that is right, I get a personal sense of gratification. Maybe the viewers have no idea, or my fellow workers have no idea, but to me, it is important.

After four tough years of college learning every aspect of the atmosphere, I'd like to think that putting together a forecast is more than a five minute task.

And concerning that one individual who loves stating that we meteorologists are somehow upset because all that math and physics we learned is not applicable. I would be very concerned about a meteorologist who in the course of a day does NOT, do at least some shorthand concerning forecast highs or skew-t's. A calculator can be very useful.

Richard Caniglia
Meteorologist
WETM-TV
vort-123@aol.com