I am befuddled by Jim Loznicka's logic. Why should any forecaster display the NHC forecast track if he or she disagrees with it? I would call it irresponsible for a meteorologist to tell their audience to ignore a watch or warning issued by NHC, however why should our hands and minds be tied?

I have a lot of respect for the folks at NHC, but frankly I disagreed with their tracks for Bonnie and Georges. If I disagree with my local NWSFO about a snowstorm, I have absolutely no compunction about going out on a limb and forecasting what I believe to be correct. Why should this be any different when forecasting hurricanes?

As a consultant, I saved companies thousands of dollars in 1996 by telling them that Fran was probably not going to hit Charleston, SC as predicted by NHC, but rather more likely to hit North Carolina. The point is that I won't put lives in danger, but I will deliver MY forecast.

If you're worried about confusion, a tactic that you might want to try is saying something like "the official National Weather Service forecast is calling for (such and such) but right now, I'm calling for (this and that)." Another tactic is to say "You might have heard (such and such) is going to happen, but I don't think so... Here's why..."

This allows you to display your expertise (if you have any) and to show your viewers (hopefully) you know what you are talking about. The people at NWS are not gods, often they are no more qualified to deliver a forecast than you or I. However, I respect their products and wouldn't think of going on the air without at least checking to see what they were calling for. If our goal is homogeneity, we'd all be out of jobs. There would be people with great looks and stunning personalities reading zone forecast copy.

I see enough of that already. Frankly, I think our system is better. Most cities have three or four news stations so that they can each deliver a competitive product. The GOAL should be to distinguish yourself as the most accurate forecaster; the one that the viewers should turn to first. That is the business we are in.

--Jason Cali
Chief Meteorologist
WICZ TV, Binghamton

P.S. If your station pays for a forecast/graphic service like Accu-Weather, you are stuck with their forecast/graphic products. I am in the same boat at my station, but once again, you can point out updates and/or changes to your viewing audience.