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ASK THE METEOROLOGIST
“How long does it take you to gather the data for your weather forecast?”
Cameron, Mae Richardson Elementary
There is a short and long answer to this question. The short answer is a couple of hours. The long answer involves the steps we take and everything we utilize to put together our forecasts each day.
Every meteorologist is different and has their own habits and methods, but for the most part, we use a chronological sequence. We first look at what’s happened in the past. For instance, we look at the past 24 hours to see if the recorded temperatures, rainfall, cloud cover, etc. match up to what we forecasted for the day. We then look at what it happening currently. That includes looking at temperatures around the area, radar and satellite imagery, winds, etc. Once we have a good handle on both of those things, we can start looking forward.
Weather prediction is aided in large part by forecast models, which present scenarios for the atmosphere at different levels. For example, the jet stream, then the mid-levels, then the surface. After analyzing the model predictions, we then weigh the validity of the models and form our own opinions of what will happen, ultimately creating our forecast.
Of course, the atmosphere is fluid and the behavior of storm systems changes from day to day, so our forecasts are regularly tweaked and modified. That’s why there is much less emphasis placed on long range forecast as opposed to a forecast that’s 24 to 48 hours in advance,
Chief Meteorologist Kate McKenna
