Do you think the weather service is overdramatic?

Question

it seems like every time a thunderstorm rolls into my area we get a severe storm warning..

Answer 1

The answer would depend on weather those warnings were for storms that really were severe.  Warnings are only put out for storms that the forecaster thinks will be life threatening and/or will do significant property damage.  If the storm does not produce any weather that is considered dangerous to life or property, it will be considered a false alarm and  will be placed on your performance record.  

A performance review are done at least twice a year for every weather service employee.  Part of this review is how you did with your warnings if the employee has the  responsibility to issue warnings.

If the forecaster decision on whether to warn or not to warn was considered poor and resulted in the lost of lives, not only can you lose your job, but you may find yourself called to the front of Congress to answer why you did what you did.  And yes you can lose your job on a poor to warn or not to warn decision.

Sometimes a forecaster would try to cover the bases by listing a large amount of possibilities because his confidence were not high on a certain storm event.  But the forecaster can find himself to be in deep hot waters if he used warnings just to cover all the bases without good reasoning for each warnings he puts out.

Answer 2

For sure, especially the Weather Channel. I guess all they have by way of drama to entice viewers to watch is whatever fear they can inject over the weather... "A severe sunshine alert is coming, high risk for sunburn, story at 10!!!"

Answer 3

Well it depends where you live and the strength of the storm, but the weather service suffers from the same malady as the rest of the media does: They sensationalize everything unwarrantedly.

Answer 4

I don't think they are overdramatic. IN order for a thunderstorm to be severe it must meet the following criteria:

- Wind speeds 58 MPH+

- Hail 3/4" +

-Possibility of producing tornadoes

Lightning is not a severe weather criteria since lightning is an element in all thunderstorms.

The National Weather Service issues severe thunderstorm warnings only if special atmospheric conditions are present.

Joe

my weather website: www.stormchaoswx.com

Answer 5

It could be that every storm that rolls through your area is severe.  They consider it to be a severe storm if the wind is a certain speed, lightning....things like that.  

The weather service has nothing to gain by overreacting to weather.  It can change in an instant.  They have to keep people informed.

Answer 6

I think they are just being cautious. Liability; it's better when people are prepared. I appreciate the warning, even though I can't hear my TV show when they give the warning.