I realize that meteorology isn't an exact science. I understand that it is impossible to predict the weather and be right 100% of the time. All I'm asking is that you shoot for some more modest goal like...I don't know...how about above 50% to begin with.
I read/heard/saw a story somewhere (I forget where) that some kind of event somewhere was suing some kind of weather service (don't you just love how specific I'm being) for giving an incorrect forecast of rain for the weekend causing attendance of said event to be low (it was an outdoor event). As it turned out (surprise, surprise) the forecast was completely wrong, the weekend turned out to be beautiful and a shit-tonne of money was lost by the event-holders.
When I heard about the lawsuit, I thought to myself, "Well it's about fucking time someone held these ass-hats accountable!"
How does that joke go? Being a weather forecaster is the only job where you can be wrong 80% of the time and still keep your job. Is it still a joke when it stops being funny?
Now I'm not a proponent of frivolous lawsuits and I don't know what became of this suit (it was probably thrown out of court) but I hope more of these stories begin to pop up because someone needs to hold these people responsible for their irresponsible predictions!
Take this past weekend for example.
Now I had a great weekend with the wife and the kid...and the reason we had a great weekend was because we chose to NOT listen to the weather forecast.
According to them, Saturday was going to be the best day—warm with no chance of rain, Sunday was not going to be pleasant as it was supposed to rain on and off most of the day. Then Monday was supposed to be perfect with 0% chance of rain again.
So Saturday, the wife, son and I went out to a splash pad so that Owen could play in the water. We packed some food and planned to stay the afternoon. The SECOND we got there the dark clouds started rolling in. Thankfully, Owen got in some good playing time before the clouds opened up and poured on us forcing us to pack up and leave early. Granted, it only rained for about a half-hour and then the sun came out the rest of the day, but those clouds threatened for the better part of the afternoon.
Sunday was supposed to be the write-off because the forecast said it would rain off and on all day. Despite the warnings, the family and I went up to my buddy's place and hung out around the pool all day. It was a beautiful day...a GORGEOUS day...no threat of rain whatsoever.
The forecast had changed and instead of rain all day Sunday it was going to be rain all day Monday.
So after a perfect Sunday, we figured we'd spend the day at home on Monday. We hung out in the backyard for most of the day. I mowed the lawn, Owen played in his pool and I got a bit of a sunburn...once again...NO FUCKING RAIN!!!
For the most part, this summer has been pretty miserable weather-wise. We haven't enjoyed a whole lot of warm weather, it has rained more days than I can remember, it has been pretty crappy thus far. The last thing we need are these know-it-alls telling us that yet another weekend is going to be crappy forcing people to change their plans (or, heaven forbid cancel them).
It's a good thing this past weekend I chose to ignore their warnings and had a good time anyway.
These people need to be held responsible and to do my part (I know I haven't done this in a looooooooooooong time) I'm going to predict that for all so-called weather forecasters out there, I see their futures as being partly cloudy with a 100% chance of BITCH SLAPS coming right up.
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