National Weather Service

[oldballs]

Gentlemen,

About a month ago the NWS installed a new radar picture. I thought the old radar was fine, especially now that I see the new version. But hey, I'm just a ordinary person. Maybe I need some classes in esoteric radar images. What do you all think?

Cheers,
Mike

 

[rademamj1]

I was not aware they installed new radar, but they need to install more qualified staff who understand weather predictions better. Here in Texas on a daily basis they are typically wrong on temperatures. If they get within plus or minus 5 degrees accuracy, I would be quite happy. Good example is this current Artic cold front. They predicted lows of 12F degrees, but we actually get 3F degrees. That's a 9 degree error. The high for today was predicted to be 31F and the actual high was 21F. That's a significant error in predictions. I just don't remember seeing such errors very common 30 years ago. Maybe the climate specialist today's lacks basic fundamental understanding of weather systems, or they need improved computer programs.

 

[MossRoad]

I was not aware they installed new radar, but they need to install more qualified staff who understand weather predictions better. Here in Texas on a daily basis they are typically wrong on temperatures. If they get within plus or minus 5 degrees accuracy, I would be quite happy. Good example is this current Artic cold front. They predicted lows of 12F degrees, but we actually get 3F degrees. That's a 9 degree error. The high for today was predicted to be 31F and the actual high was 21F. That's a significant error in predictions. I just don't remember seeing such errors very common 30 years ago. Maybe the climate specialist today's lacks basic fundamental understanding of weather systems, or they need improved computer programs.

I'm 60. I cannot remember how young I was when I realized how many people complained about how inaccurate the weatherman was, but it was probably since I was 2.

 

[the old grind]

I'm 1/2 mi from the township line. I remember getting a sprinkle while working in the driveway and along the twp line & East they got 3/4" of rain in 20 min.

Ditches were full the next morning when I got to the near corner where my friend lived and was watching his sump pumps, both going WFO. (was my home in the '90s)

My pavement 1/2 mi West just got wet, downspouts only dribbled. One of us thought the weatherman was about right.

 

[oosik]

I can drive five miles down the county road and experience totally different weather. That's just the way it is.

 

[MoKelly]

I can drive five miles down the county road and experience totally different weather. That's just the way it is.

We can get that here - but primarily only in summer with respect to rain. It can be sunny at my place yet raining like crazy 3-4 miles away.

But, the temps are pretty consistent all around and in winter the conditions are consistent.

MoKelly

 

[workinonit]

They solved the issue in our area. Now they just predict rain every day. It's a fairly safe model. Give a 10 - 20% chance, if it rains you are good, if it doesn't you are golden. We haven't had many no rain days in the last 6 months.

 

[polo1665]

I'm 60. I cannot remember how young I was when I realized how many people complained about how inaccurate the weatherman was, but it was probably since I was 2.

I complain, I'm consistent about it though. I complain about it just as much now as I used to.

 

[kenmbz]

When I was in LA, wethermen had to find something to report about, nso made up smog indexes etc.
Here on my side of the hill, can be somewhat different than the other side of the hill, both temp and precipitation, though this hill is not all that big

 

[Diggin It]

Gentlemen,

About a month ago the NWS installed a new radar picture. I thought the old radar was fine, especially now that I see the new version. But hey, I'm just a ordinary person. Maybe I need some classes in esoteric radar images. What do you all think?

Cheers,
Mike

Most NWS Forecast Offices offer various classes on Storm Watching, Spotters and readiness. This includes reading radar images. Classes are free, but some require pre-registration. Nearly all are on line now for obvious reasons, but they will go back to in person classes eventually.

This map should help you find something local to you:

Kansas NWS SKYWARN(R) Program