There, I just invented a new ridiculous term for this storm we had. Or rather... semi-storm. Talk about a major disappointment and major goof on the part of the weatherman.
Should we be surprised though? No! Of course not. Every time it snows, their guess is as good as yours or mine as to how much snow will actually fall.
I gotta say that the entire sequence of news coverage just annoys me, and I'm to the point now where I don't really want to watch the local news anymore. Too bad I kind of have to in order to catch what the weather 'might' do.
Every frickin' time it's the same damn thing:
Day 1: Weatherman reports storm will be coming in 3-4 days
Day 2: Weatherman gives better 'estimates' of snow totals for storm that is 2-3 days away.
Day 3, the day before: Each separate news channel sends 3 different reporters to 3 different locations around the metro area. These locations include 1 grocery store, 1 hardware store, and either 1 more grocery store or a store where you can find salt or window scrapers. Proceed with ridiculous "storm mode" coverage of how the bread, milk, and eggs are flying off the shelves like wild monkeys so everyone can go home and make French toast! Observe! The Lowe's on Watson Road as customers flock out of the store in triumphant glory with their new snow shovel! And let us check in wiiiitthhh... Kathy, who is standing outside of the Walmart on Clayton, conducting boring interviews of maniacal shoppers about what they purchased before "the big storm."
Day 4: The snow/ice happens. We viewers are told to stay at home if at all possible. Don't venture out into the danger of all dangers. They treat us as if this is our first snowstorm ever and we have never heard this advice before, nor do we have any common sense. They remind us time and again that if you MUST venture out into this terrible weather: take it slow, keep a good distance between the person in front of you, and allow extra time for your commute. Again, all as if we've never heard it before.
Later on day 4: The snow amounts start to come in. Round two of each separate news channel sending 3 different reporters to 3 different locations commences. Kathy is in Illinois and says "Yes, the snow is in full swing. It is really coming down over here." John is in Ballwin and says "We are having quite a bit of snow over here." Steve in Wentzville says "The snow has hit, we are in the middle of the storm! Stay in folks, this one's gonna be a doozy." Steve bends over to pick up a handful of snow to further prove his point that: snow is indeed falling. We are left to conclude: the snow is falling. And we didn't even need to look out the window to figure it out! (And do I need to mention the irony that just 2 minutes before these reports, they reminded us not to travel in this stuff if we don't absolutely have to?)
Night of day 4: Snow totals are not as expected. They are lower. Weathermen launch into a laundry list of excuses as to why the totals are lower. Way lower. Way long list.
Likely scenario for day 5: Kids are home from school because school was called on account of predicted snow totals that did not happen. Therefore: a free snow day for no reason and another day to make up in June.
Living in Missouri is great...
Oh, Jamie, this is too funny (and too true). I think you need to read Jurassic Park (for its take on predicting the weather; not for the dinosaurs). Although the dinosaurs are pretty awe-some. And awe-ful. :D
ReplyDeleteI was seriously laughing out loud while reading this! So, so true! Good job :)
ReplyDeleteI know this is a little late... like I said, I had a bit of catching up to do... but seriously, the weathermen need to spend some time in Montana. Then maybe they will realize that life does indeed go on after a snow storm.
ReplyDelete