Tom...to switch gears a bit and get off the MSU debate...here's a new and interesting debate which should attract conversation...

Now that the fall-out from Hurricane Georges is over, I must say it was not a total forecasting nightmare. But a major problem in dealing with the forecast track did arise not only once, but about three times before landfall.

We use Accu-Weather, and they came up with their "own" forecast for the track of the hurricane, rather than using the official NHC forecast. What makes this great is that many of us use NHC to figure out where storms should head...and many media outlets base their forecasts on the NHC. But the problem that results is that you have conflicting sources of information. The public already has a tough time accepting the blown forecasts that occur with respect to hurricane tracks and forecasts. And now, you have the dilemma of, what I would call the "official source" of tropical info, versus another source of info. Who is the public to believe?? We know so little about tropical weather systems...why confuse the people anymore than necessary?

Let's hear some debate on the dilemma this poses for all our viewers out there.

Thanks....

Jim Loznicka
WTOK-TV