Expect 70 degrees and sunny …. Wait I mean 50 and thunderstorms

The weather.  In our house watching the weather is a full time job and some would argue an unhealthy obsession.  Open the windows or close them? Do we turn on the exhaust fans?  When do the dogs go out – don’t want to get caught in the rain.  I find it fascinating that with all of the modern ways to get your weather info, – Google.. Alexa… looking out a window- we still have a need and in some cases a love for the TV weather. 

We will sit in anticipation for a full 9 minutes just to get a glimpse of  “Weather on the Eights” .  There are weather celebrities – people that make their living standing outside in the absolute worst meteorological conditions imaginable just to give the viewers trinkets of excellence like – “its really coming down out here.”  Really? What gave it away Jim? The 3 feet of snow that accumulated in the last 9 minutes or the full size SUV that was just washed down the street in the flash flood?  And don’t get me started on the green screen warriors – the local network news people. 

I get it – this is their job.  And they  REALLY like the weather.  But I challenge you to not only look at the pretty colors and moving radar images next time.  Listen to these people.  “Well you can see on the map we are in for some rainy days” – no I’m sorry but that dark green patch the size of Greenland with the flashing lightening bolt graphic did not tip me off – thanks for clarifying. “As you can see, off the coast here this hurricane is really big,” oh, ok, I wasn’t sure what that large, spinning, apocalyptic thing was about.  Looked cute and fun like cotton candy to me!   And lets not forget that they think we can’t read – or at least recognize the name of our own town.  As the large letters litter the screen “For all you folks in ROCKFORD (insert patronizing tone), you can see here you will have a sunny day (view sun wearing glasses graphic). Ugh.  Don’t forget their record breaking  accuracy percentages.  How can you trust someone that gives  diametrically opposed forecasts when they are showing the North American Mesocale and the opposing European Model.  Simultaneously and with great gusto.

Here’s the reality – its going to be sunny, rainy, snowy, hot, cold and perfect.  If you live in Chicago, all in the same day.  Keep a coat, sweater, umbrella, rain jacket and swimsuit with you at all times and you should have nothing to worry about.  Look out the window before you leave the house for the day – I promise you will be just as prepared, and be 8 minutes earlier for work.