Tom Loffman's The Weathercaster Editorial/Commentary/Issues

As I entered the Salary Survey comments it became obvious that there continue to be nagging, unresolved issues that are very troubling to weathercasters - and the pressure is increasing. So, I thought this page would be a natural extension of the discussions we get into every year at the broadcasting conferences and never have time to deal with. UPDATED: DEC. 3, 1999 Marks latest contributions Latest comments... I am shocked at the amount of petty bickering and childish finger pointing...(12/3/99) That was a refreshingly dumb letter, anonymous one. Thanks!...(9/17/99) I'll take you on in your forecasting contest anyday...(9/17/99) RE: I believe that the NWA is a much better seal than the AMS...(9/1/99) RE: AMS Seal - does it make a difference? (3/7/99) RE: a test for AMS Seal? (2/24/99) This is in reference to the quote " Here are my two cents..."...(1/25/99) I want the individual who wrote a letter about proposing legislation to contact me because I have some ideas...(1/22/99) Here are my two cents on the subject of the Mississippi State broadcast program...(1/21/99) ...if any of you have not been through the programs, either one, than you need to take a chill pill...(1/21/99) ...we also have a little problem with the way the "official" temperature is recorded here in Little Rock...(1/21/99) I need some information on a severe weather alert system...(1/21/99) If this Shoptalk item is valid (and probably is), the fat lady is singing...(1/21/99) If you can't handle the fact that others, who in your opinion, are not worthy, get the gig, go and teach at the university.....(12/30/98) I just posted this on my Sacramento Web Page..by Tom Loffman..(12/26/98) ...I've met numerous people who have graduated from a reputable school, and hadn't learned a dang thing...(12/26/98) ...I have to believe most stations are "hanging their hat" on weather nowadays..(12/26/98) RE: WSI/Time Warner folo...(12/19/98) There are so many variables in this conversation, I thought I'd give you my two cents...(12/19/98) Does anyone else see the huge conflict of interest problem this raises?...(12/7/98) Hey nobody is perfect with the forecast...(12/7/98) I don't presume to know everything about meteorology, and I have never met anyone who does...(12/6/98) I am new to this web site and am writing about consultants being weather friendly...(12/6/98) and we need to be careful about throwing stones, it just gives others something to throw back...(12/6/8) Is there really a difference between an AMS Seal and a so-called Meteorology license?...(12/6/98)" TALK ABOUT BUSTING FORECASTS... NWS forecast for Ithaca today. Note the time of the forecast and the 11am observation...(11/11/98) My first comments about MSU and the profession of television weathercasting - by Tom Loffman Editorial by Tom Loffman (6/3/98) Response to editorial..(7/25/98) Passionate response and further comments about MSU, weathercasting..(8/16/98) My response to the above..and my second comments about the profession - by Tom Loffman (8/16/98) Regarding Mississippi State University and the state of the industry..(10/2/98) Response to Larry Cosgrove above by Don Paul (10/3/98) Should TV Meteorologists display/forecast a different hurricane track than the "official" NWS forecast? To switch gears a bit and get off the MSU debate...here's a new and interesting debate which should attract conversation...(10/20/98) Why should any forecaster display the NHC forecast track if he or she disagrees with it?..(10/21/98) If a forecaster wants to go out on their own and show their own track..be ready to deal with the responsibility...if they are wrong...(11/5/98) Who may display the Seal? "..someone who purposefully defies the rules & bylaws?"...(5/10/98) Who should call him/herself a meteorologist? Let's consider the latest definitions from the NSF/AMS...(2/13/98) Do A.M.S. Seal mets really forecast the weather or do they just regurgitate the NWS forecast - and if so, why does a station need a meteorologist? Not that many people...care all that much about these concerns..(1/23/98) Jason Cali makes a valid point...(1/25/98) I always credit the NWS with their forecast if that is what I am using..(1/23/98) It is truly disheartening to hear some of the ...absolute nonsense...(3/12/98) As far as using NWS forecasts...MSU is a...(3/16/98) Can someone with a certificate from Mississippi State call him/herself a met - and if they do, is there anything anyone can do about it? Should MSU grads call themselves "meteorologists?" (1/25/98) I have to differ with the comment that is already on this page...(2/16/98) As a student at MSU that has a Bachelor's Degree in Meteorology...(2/19/98) I am a graduate from the on-campus program at MSU...(2/20/98) As far as M-S-U goes...as a graduate...(2/20/98) I am sure there are some MSU graduates that know their stuff...(2/22/98) I continue to have concerns about MSU grads...(3/8/98) The viewing public wants a personality...(3/21/98) There are many meteorologists who can give you the science plus a great personality....(3/23/98) "Those of you....need a reality check." (5/15/98) "I am saddened at the venom that comes out of some of your mouths."(5/15/98) "I too am mail order..." (6/3/98) "About the MSU issue..." (6/3/98) "Those who complain about MSU should really get a life..(8/2/98) It's time for me to weigh in on this MSU debate..(8/27/98) I would like to offer a few observations on the matter of the MSU program..(8/27/98) MSU DOES have a 4-year program...(8/28/98) Let me rebut...about MSU..(9/9/98) I strongly feel that having a degree in meteorology does not make you a meteorologist as having a law degree makes you a lawyer (10/2/98) What would it take for the AMS to issue a test.. (10/3/98) Much of the academic aspect of meteorology is not needed in television "weathercasting." (10/4/98) That nameless letter of 10/4 concerning the label "Meteorologist" is as classic an example of hubris as I've seen lately...(10/6/98) If you failed my small list of questions, then you, my friend, are NOT a METEOROLOGIST, no matter where you graduated from!...(10/7/98) While I'd like to see high standards - one shouldn't have to have a DOCTORATE to earn that title....(10/9/98) But the rest of the questions, including baroclinic instability are vital to understand, and if you don't know them, then yes, you fail as a "meteorologist", and should go back to school...(10/10/98) Here are some questions that most meteorologists should know...(10/20/98) I've been reading several sound ideas and many unfounded comments regarding the MSU program, who is or isn't a meteorologist...(10/20/98) We all know degreed mets who are incompetent, uncaring, awful representatives of the meteorological profession..(11/5/98) If you have a problem with some of the people that have been in the program, take it up with them, not the program...(11/5/98) AMS Seal - Does it REALLY make a difference?" AMS Seal - does it really make a difference? (3/1/98) To the viewer, they see TV stations promoting crap all the time which has little impact on their viewing habits....The AMS Seal is no different...(11/10/98) While it may be sacrilege for an AMS Broadcast Board member to agree, I have to say George Flickenger raises some valid points about the Seal...(11/11/98) Are some consulting firms "weather friendly" or "weather hostile"? I've only worked with Magid, but I've found them to be very weather hostile...(2/18/98) If you have any ideas or comments please send them to me: Email to Tom Loffman Also, please let me know if you want your comments posted with or without your name. Tom Loffman

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