tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6095709393884268330.post6097641408695472134..comments2024-02-22T22:30:41.915-06:00Comments on MWN Blog: Progressive weather pattern yields rapidly-changing conditions & an important anniversaryMeteorologist Erik Proseushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16116114428520631122noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6095709393884268330.post-878083256398560032018-02-06T16:17:08.049-06:002018-02-06T16:17:08.049-06:00Looking back at the Channel 3 video, I am amazed a...Looking back at the Channel 3 video, I am amazed at how obvious it is the local TV meteorologists did not really understand what they were seeing. At one point about a minute into the video, the camera captures a series of power flashes (which the weather guys refer to later as “flashes of lightning” and “light flashes”), yet continues to pan the camera away from the flash. That can only mean they did not realize they were looking at strong evidence of where the tornado was actually on the ground. In fact, they just kept talking through it. As Gary England would say, “Power flashes, power flashes! Tornado on the ground!”. Where tornadoes are more common, even layman in the public know and dread the meaning behind power flashes. Maybe I am just spoiled from time spent in the Great Plains where severe weather coverage included helicopters tracking the tornadoes live on-air (even at night!) and where each local news affiliate had their own small fleet of trained storm chasers whose goal was to provide precise intersection locations of the funnel as it moved across an area. <br /><br />With an average of 14 tornadoes resulting in 5 deaths each year in the Memphis warning area, I am a little surprised that a more robust “offensive line” of trained and knowledgeable storm chasers has not developed in our region and/or that local media outlets do not draw more upon this resource in their storm coverage. These individuals are often the best source of information regarding real-time storm status and location in Tornado Alley.<br /><br />Regardless, three cheers for our local “weather persons”! They may be under appreciated here, but I know from firsthand experience there are other places in the US where they are virtual rock stars. May our local weather person community come to enjoy such support and recognition.Barfolomewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08564572647895477993noreply@blogger.com