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326 Questions

Last Answer on December 24, 2019

I'm not scientifically knowledgeable, but I've wondered why California and the southwest with the major drought problem couldn't siphon ocean water into Death Valley and the Salton Sea, let it evaporate and come down as rain?

Asked by flcfly@gmail.com over 10 years ago

Creative thinking. Probably a huge cost to transporting that water but even if you could get it there the prevailing atmospheric winds would carry the water vapor to east, away from the areas that need it. Keep thinking!

1058 Votes

I have a question about global wind patterns. I understand the Coriolis Effect and its effect of turning winds in the northern hemisphere to the left. Why, then, do the Prevailing Westerlies in the northern hemisphere turn to the RIGHT?

Asked by Melinda over 11 years ago

Great question, Melinda. In addition to the Coriolis Effect there is vertical motion known as a Hadley cells, rising and sinking air, creating something of a "loop". http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hadley_cell Hope that helps Thanks!

1058 Votes

Are you chummy with other meteorologists in your market? Is there really all that much difference between the way each of you gives the weather for the same region?

Asked by FB over 11 years ago

Some cities are more competitive than others but in general I think we are usually friendly with each other. I had lunch with a competitor a few weeks ago. And, to beat that, I married one of the meteorologists from a competing station when we met at a live event! Sometimes managements frown on hanging out with "the enemy". We all draw from the same sources of forecast data. The differences can come from time spent in the market, preference for one computer forecast model over another in a given situation and overall experience. Usually the biggest differences will come during bigger events, like a snow storm or tropical weather, or there is no agreement among the different computer forecasts. Great question, thanks!

1057 Votes

I like to take gigapan pictures. What weather pattern should I look for to predict extremely clear visibility (i.e. no haze, fog or pollution)?

Asked by Paul over 10 years ago

Might depend on your location. Broadly I would say look to be behind a cold front. You are looking for an airmass change to one cooler and drier, perhaps with an origin in Canada.

1053 Votes

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When I grew up I feel like TV weathermen were usually older men, but now I'm seeing a lot of attractive young people (both men and women!) - is that a trend in the industry?

Asked by Eric over 11 years ago

I would say yes, Eric. Which is a little unnerving since I'm a broken down old man!

1053 Votes

You wrote that weather segments aren't scripted. So how do you know what to say? Or have you just done this so much now that you can basically speak off the cuff without stumbling?

Asked by KV over 11 years ago

Well.....most of us are highly intelligent. :) We take visual cues from the maps that are behind us. We can see the maps in the teleprompter that the anchors use for their scripts. Since we have prepared the forecast we can pick a couple of things from each graphic to talk about. Actually pretty easy with some practice. Great question, thanks!

1050 Votes

Could it in theory be possible for a hurricane to travel up the warm waters of the Gulf of California and hit the US along the California/Arizona border?

Asked by Joe about 11 years ago

Possible and does, Joe! http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/?epac

1050 Votes

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TV Meteorologist

Ask me anything!

What do YOU do?

I'm not scientifically knowledgeable, but I've wondered why California and the southwest with the major drought problem couldn't siphon ocean water into Death Valley and the Salton Sea, let it evaporate and come down as rain?

I have a question about global wind patterns. I understand the Coriolis Effect and its effect of turning winds in the northern hemisphere to the left. Why, then, do the Prevailing Westerlies in the northern hemisphere turn to the RIGHT?

Are you chummy with other meteorologists in your market? Is there really all that much difference between the way each of you gives the weather for the same region?

I like to take gigapan pictures. What weather pattern should I look for to predict extremely clear visibility (i.e. no haze, fog or pollution)?

Also on Jobstr...

When I grew up I feel like TV weathermen were usually older men, but now I'm seeing a lot of attractive young people (both men and women!) - is that a trend in the industry?

You wrote that weather segments aren't scripted. So how do you know what to say? Or have you just done this so much now that you can basically speak off the cuff without stumbling?

Could it in theory be possible for a hurricane to travel up the warm waters of the Gulf of California and hit the US along the California/Arizona border?

TV Meteorologist

Ask me anything!

What do YOU do?

I'm not scientifically knowledgeable, but I've wondered why California and the southwest with the major drought problem couldn't siphon ocean water into Death Valley and the Salton Sea, let it evaporate and come down as rain?

I have a question about global wind patterns. I understand the Coriolis Effect and its effect of turning winds in the northern hemisphere to the left. Why, then, do the Prevailing Westerlies in the northern hemisphere turn to the RIGHT?

Are you chummy with other meteorologists in your market? Is there really all that much difference between the way each of you gives the weather for the same region?

I like to take gigapan pictures. What weather pattern should I look for to predict extremely clear visibility (i.e. no haze, fog or pollution)?

Also on Jobstr...

When I grew up I feel like TV weathermen were usually older men, but now I'm seeing a lot of attractive young people (both men and women!) - is that a trend in the industry?

You wrote that weather segments aren't scripted. So how do you know what to say? Or have you just done this so much now that you can basically speak off the cuff without stumbling?

Could it in theory be possible for a hurricane to travel up the warm waters of the Gulf of California and hit the US along the California/Arizona border?

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