What are the qualifications for a TV Weather Person?

Question

Regularly, doubters post the opinion of someone that reads the weather on TV. Does that job really qualify a person to have any significant knowledge about climate science?

Do people think TV weatherman typically take graduate level courses in atmospheric physics? Any graduate level science classes? Bachelor degrees? High school diploma?

OK doubters, present your case for why you consider a TV weather person qualified as an expert witness in the debate over AGW?

Or is this a classic case of the appeal to authority logical fallacy?

Answer 1

It seems to me the main qualification seems to be more about cup size, or how tight she can wear her skirt.  I for one would listen to meterologists but I doubt they could provide much new information that would change my opinion much, but I would listen and possibly observe again depending on cup size.

Answer 2

One 'skeptic' cited meteorologist James Spann as an "expert" on global warming.  As far as I can tell from his own bio on his own website, he never even went to college.

http://www.jamesspann.com/spann.html

I konw if I was writing a little autobiography, I wouldn't leave out my college degrees!

To be a TV weather person you can range anywhere from a high school diploma to a PhD in climate science (like Heidi Cullen, who Spann had attacked).

http://climate.weather.com/articles/bioc...

If a person wants to present the opinions of a meteorologist with a PhD in climate science, I'll listen.  If you want to present the opinions of a TV weatherman with zero college education, I'm not interested.  Being on TV talking about the weather in Birmingham does not qualify you as a climate science expert.  Not by a long shot.  h**l, I'm more of an expert than Spann.  At least I have some degrees in physics and have researched the subject.

The thing is, meteorologists with climate science PhDs like Heidi Cullen agree with the AGW consensus.  But I'm sure that's just a coincidence.

Answer 3

Well, they are often fed whatever the government tells them to say.  Like saying that aluminum and water-absorbing polymers (good at reducing rainfall, which prevent us from collecting our own water when IN rationing takes place--as seen in UN Agenda 21) sprayed into the air is good for us an is simply "chaff" from military testing.  They even say this is what the military told them.  And anything else they say has to go through the corporate media first--they're not working independently.  So I guess they might have more qualifications than the average person--and a lot more than Al Gore, for sure.

I didn't title those videos, lol (but the content is still real)!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qc0TWVtoz...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7Gw5Wmtu...

Real chaff:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDJOEnuLP...

UN Agenda 21:

“Cities with potable water consumption greater than 100 liters per capita per day will adopt and implement policies to reduce consumption by 10 percent by 2015.”

http://www.libertymatters.org/newsservic...

The UN intends to force us to use only 26 gallons of water a day!

Answer 4

From what I have seen from various weatherpeople throughout the United States, the qualifying factor is to be able to speak without stuttering. You do not have to say anything of value, but be able to fill up air time, with your ramblings.

Answer 5

I don't know and don't care, if one has a opinion on global warming that is their right, is it a expert opinion who really knows.   The experts I have dealt with in my life have had impressive credentials and couldn't find their left hand with their with one hand marked.

  I like to learn about people and hopefully gain insight for myself, that is why I enjoy this forum.  I really don't care about the opinion of a weather person, I like to hear the opinions expressed here if they happen to be a weather person more power to them.

Answer 6

A TV weatherman doesn't need any degree whatsoever, although I'm sure some have degrees in meteorology. Just look at Jillian Barber (I think that's her name) from Fox Football Sunday (she sure doesn't have one).

But, of course, they need to know basic TV weatherman terms (i.e. jet stream, heat wave), but this doesn't turn them into an AGW climate expert.

Mostly TV stations just look for a pretty face.

boatman: that looks like the course requirements for an earth science major. The question asks what are the qualifications needed for a TV weatherman, if any.

Answer 7

Well here is the degree requirements from one University--

http://www.uml.edu/college/arts_sciences...

Answer 8

Two things blew the whole illusion of the 'Weatherman as God' for me some years ago; seeing Bill Murray's character in "Groundhog Day" deliver his report, and visiting CNN and doing the behind-the-scenes tour.  After that I couldn't watch that part of the weather anymore, because you know they're looking at the TelePrompter, and it just blows the whole illusion.

I don't know what the base level of competence is for TV weather people nowadays.  I think it has slipped from an older standard.  Maybe once these guys had a clue about interpreting the weather.  Now, I think mostly they look good and talk nice and their type rates well when tested with TV audience polls.

I wonder if you'll get any serious attempts at answers, or just the usual spiel.

Answer 9

Most TV personalities must have either big b*****s or nice legs. Public speaking abilities are nice, but not necessary.

Answer 10

Well, it's whatever that particular station decides would be in their best interest.  However, the American Meteorological Society does offer a couple levels of certification for broadcast meteorologists: "Certified Broadcast Meteorologist" and "AMS Seal of Approval."  To be a Certified Broadcast Meteorologist requires something like a Bachelor's degree in meteorology.  The seal of approval does not require that, but shows some demonstration of understanding of weather and technical competence.

John Coleman, founder of the Weather Channel and in the news a lot recently for his opposition to the theory of AGW, is not a Certified Broadcast Meteorologist; James Spann is.

http://ametsoc.org/memdir/seallist/get_l...

I doubt that either of them have training in climate science.