Commentary, Posted: 6/29/04
Just the weather facts, maíam
No one will argue that weather is an important part of our lives. It affects our moods, our plans, and even in some cases, our livelihood and our safety.
Allergy sufferers like knowing what kind of misery they are in for on a particular day.
Of course we need to know when itís time to head for the basement or cover our tomato plants, but outside of that, the weather just doesnít need that much of an explanation.
Ninety percent of the time, all we need to know is:
1. What is the temperature going to be?
2. Is it going to rain (or snow)? If so, how much?
3. When will things change?
Instead, we get an in-depth explanation of WHY the weather is the way it is. High pressure systems, troughs, areas of low pressure, storm fronts, Doppler radar, storm-tracking.
Itís great that there are people working behind the scenes and keeping track of the weather patterns, but I donít think itís necessary for them to explain WHY the weather is going to be the way they say itís going to be.
I know television stations pay lots of money for the latest meteorological equipment and have highly trained personnel to run it, but Iíd prefer it if theyíd take a low profile until thereís something significant to talk about.
Do we care that the warmer weather is a result of a weakened low pressure system over the Hudson?
Thereís a tongue-in-cheek saying that everybody talks about the weather but nobody does anything about it. Itís precisely because we canít do anything about it that we donít need to know whatís behind it. Helping us understand the weather doesnít change how we feel about it. And for those who are really interested in the whys and wherefores, thereís always the weather channel.
Maybe this is just sour grapes from someone who managed only a ìCî in her weather and climate course in college. Maybe smart people really appreciate the details. As for me, just tell me this:
Can I take the down comforter off my bed now?
Caledonia Argus
314 West Lincoln St.
P.O. Box 227
Caledonia, MN 55921-0227
507/724-3475
E-Mail: editor.argus@ecm-inc.com