I did you a favor by putting ‘rant’ in the title so you can tune me out if desired. No offense taken. π
We hear a lot of talk about ‘fake news’ but what about the way weather has become such a major part of our life that we consult weather apps multiple times a day in order to be able to do anything, leave the house or plan an activity.
Last week, we had some wicked weather across a large swath of the US including New Hampshire with dangerously low temperatures, high winds, and heavy snow.
There – did you get the idea? Stay indoors if possible, travel safely if you need to go out, and remove snow when the temps are at their highest and the winds at their lowest.
I’ve lived a long time and grew up on the east coast knowing that in the winter there could be winter weather. I know – that is stilly. π Winter weather, at some time, could include snow, light or heavy, even blizzard conditions which would restrict visibility, and along with that could come high winds or ice.
Now, in order to grab our attention, we describe approaching snow as:
Blizzard warning
Blizzard watch
Blowing snow advisory
Bomb
Bomb cyclone
Bombogensis
Cyclone blizzard
Extreme cold watch
Freezing rain advisory
Heavy snow warning
Ice storm warning
Lake effect snow
Lake effect snow advisory
Lake effect snow watch
Nor’easter
Polar vortex
Sleet storm warning
Snow advisory
Snow devils
Whiteout
Winter bomb
Winter hurricane
Winter storm
Winter weather advisory
And, are we so far removed from having just plain old common sense that we need state governors to tell us to be careful, travel safely if we need to go out, check on our neighbors, shovel our sidewalks, and ‘don’t crowd the plow’? Who in their right mind would crowd a 60,000 lb. snow plow?
I also loved hearing the weather channel talking head tell us it would be beneficial to park our car in a garage during the winter but be sure to back it out once you started it. Every car owner in the world would have a garage, if it was humanly and financially possible, but it’s not. And, are we so stupid that we need reporters to tell us to open a garage door before starting and backing out a car? I guess they think so.
“The good old days” were not all good, but the simplicity of just reporting the weather and the news factually sure would be a welcomed change. But, I think I’ll have to settle for the mute and on/off buttons.
Or maybe, wait for it –Β I’ll open the blinds and look outside or I might even go so far as to step outside to check the temperature. Egads, what am I thinking? π
Couldn’t agree with you more!
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And naming winter storms??
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Have you figured that one out? Because, I would love someone to explain that to me. I didn’t understand naming hurricanes, and I certainly don’t understanding naming snow storms. It’s ridiculous, but I accept I’m in the minority who thinks so. π
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Kill your television!! Or, yes, mute it while checking the cancellations/late openings running along the bottom of the screen!
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I watch so little news and weather these days, I wonder why I even have a TV. π
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I am in total agreement. My wife and I were watching the local news, very early AM during the snow storm, while my boss and I were deciding whether or not to close the office. One newscaster said: “If you get out on the highway and don’t feel comfortable driving, by all means pull over to the side.”
My wife and I both yelled “No!” If you don’t feel comfortable driving, don’t get on the highway. If you did get on, GET OFF NOW! But don’t set your car as an obstacle to the plows and other drivers.
I swear, the squirrels have more sense. I don’t understand why we have to have someone tell us what to do. Just tell me what the forecast is, I can figure out the rest.
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Amen. Give us the facts, and we can collaborate with family or business and decide what is safe. Yes, Sammy would have more sense. π
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(Well said, by the way! May we stop being dormant little ol’ nanny states, soon.)
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I couldn’t help it. After days of hearing about the ‘bomb,’ I just had enough. It was snow, folks, and lots of it. But, that is all it was. π
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Thank you, Judy! I needed a good rant, and I feel much better having read yours! But I find your suggestion of using common sense dangerously revolutionary. I used to lift the latch on the bottom of the storm window and stick my finger out to judge the seriousness of the snow. Accuweather at its best.
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I love your accuweather, and the smile and chuckle it allowed me. π
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Amen my friend. I wanted to make a comment, but I’m laughing so hard I have to make a beeline for the bathroom!! πππ
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Well, you can always come back later. π Have a good day.
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Thanks for my morning chuckle
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You are very welcome. π
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I feel like it’s because people are dumb and don’t know the difference between 20 cold and -20 cold. I feel like, living in the north, it’s part of life, and there’s no reason to get all afraid about something that literally happens every year.
I’m with you on the terms, too. I think my brain still hasn’t recovered from that polar vortex thing a few years back. “What’s a polar vortex?” I wondered. Well, it’s snow and wind. Hmm. Feels like we’ve always had snow and wind. And this thing where they name every snowfall?!? What’s with that?
But I guess before, people used their senses — including common.
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I had a paragraph in the post about the naming of every storm and decided I probably would push the topic too far. LOL But, I wish someone would tell us the purpose of naming them. We’re not going to exchange cards nor invite them back. π
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Love the weather channel / garage one. LOL!
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Yes, wouldn’t everyone park their car in a garage in the winter IF they had one. LOL π
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You started my day with a chuckle!!!!
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We can never have too many chuckles so I’m glad I could provide one for you. π
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These days the overuse of hyperbole in describing weather is so ridiculous that no one takes anything they say seriously any more. Which is also the reason why they need to exaggerate even further when there is a serious/dangerous weather event to let people know about.
Even here in Canada for crying out loud, where it snows…A LOT….EVERY WINTER, the weather channels make such a big deal over each cold snap and every snowfall – ugh!
Perhaps we should all use the mute button and just look at the numbers. After all 14″ of snow or minus 23 temps are the same today as they were 30 years ago.
That’s a lot of snow and it’s damn cold out, so use common sense and act accordingly.
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You have a good point too – they are so desperate for ratings they have to use the word ‘bomb’ with expected snow. I love a good mute button. π
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Loved this! “The good old days” to me meant plowing on foot through deep snow to school 4 blocks away. My sisters and I were sent out the door without a worry by a stay-at-home mom who would have lunch waiting for us at noon. No school bus, “weather advisory,” or phone alert that brutal wind chill meant a canceled day. Recess was outside regardless of the temps, and boys would throw snowballs and get in trouble with the nuns for doing it. We girls would smirk in our seats while they wrote 100 times “I must not throw snowballs.” Not only have we screwed up the weather, but our reaction to it as well!
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I walked to grade school as well, and the nuns didn’t call snow days. You just got there or you knew there were consequences. I walked back home for lunch, and I made sure I was back in that school yard before that bell rang too. π SC towns down here still cancelled school today – the temperature is suppose to hit 50. I got a good chuckle. π
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Your rant made me smile. Since weather became a news channel, I think these announcers are tripping over themselves to create exciting new terms.
I still think “bombogensis” is rude (smile), because it’s partly a Jamaican swear word – actually, the first half of that word is one of the worst!
This weather is the kind best enjoyed inside, methinks. Happy snow day!
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You have an interesting point – maybe this did all start around the time the weather became a news channel. And, I thank you for the smile that this new word may not be exactly what they thought it was. π
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Loved this post! We are guilty of having several weather apps on our phones and always chuckle because they never agree on current temperature. Our best ‘weatherman’ is our son, a pilot, who alerts us to anything unusual coming our way. He is the most accurate of all. π
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Now, I’m impressed – you have an ‘accurate’ weatherman in the family. π I will pick up my phone, and I always laugh when there is a message there from the weather app saying it is going to rain within the next 15 minutes. I look outside, and the sun is shining. π
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LOL! Love it! You said it well, no more needs said. Thanks for the laugh!
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You’re very welcome. π Sometimes it gets so ridiculous, we have to speak up even if we aren’t going to really influence anything to change.
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At the same time my sister is frying in 115 degree heat in Sydney – hottest ever. 6 degrees Fahrenheit is too cold!!!
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Wow – now, that is hot. Hope she stays safe with a weather challenge on the other end of the scale. π
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Those temperatures are way to cold for me. Mt. Washington I know is always cold, but -93 Yikes.
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I do hope it gets better for you all
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I don’t even think it’s about the weather, or the forecasters, really. We’re all just a little grumpy over here these days, Derrick. : )
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Hardly surprising X
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Thank you for the excellent rant, Judy- That BOMB CYCLONE crap had me shaking my head.
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As a Minnesotan, my southern and eastern friends have been telling me to “Shut the “h” up” while they complain about the cold………. I just wanted you to know that is what I am doing here. π
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Exactly what Garry says. Exactly.
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LOL. I am hesitant to admit I use my phone to track the weather in the five places my sisters live, two of them in NY state. Scary isn’t it. Here in northern Virginia, the high yesterday was about 22F and on Friday it is supposed to be 62F. Go figure. Mother Nature is playing tricks on us. π
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I get using an app for that. My husband tracks the weather where his brothers live too. Mother Nature has surely been taking us for a ride these last few years and pointing out who is in charge, and it’s not us mere mortals. π
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I absolutely cannot stand tv weather reporting any more. It’s sensational and also as you say insulting to our intelligence. Some of the weather forecasters seem to take a great deal of glee and pleasure in reporting on extreme weather, when it is actually quite dangerous to many people. I miss the weather reporters and meteorologists I grew up with.
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I was watching a report from Boston, and the reporter was standing on this huge hill that looked like snow. But, as I’m watching I realize that’s not snow is a salt pile. Towards the end of the report, they panned out and acknowledged that it was salt. I just shook my head and wondered why – sensationalism, I’m sure. π
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I’m pleased to hear weather reporting is the same the world over it seems. I did wonder about a bomb cyclone…what is that supposed to mean? News reports over the Christmas period, here in Australia, are full of breathless reporters looking for a story….I just wish weather forecasts would stick to the facts….the trouble with common sense is, it is not that common!
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Good to know we’re not alone over here. I do wonder when we lost common sense and all of this came into being. In NH, we average about 5-7′ of snow a year. So, it is pretty interesting when they are reporting about snow, and the reporter picks up a handful to show us. As if, we don’t know what snow looks like. π
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You’ve given me an early morning laugh, Judy. I’m always intrigued when the news reports talk about a “weather event”. It’s just weather, like any other day except more extreme. I feel sorry for people who have the same name as a weather disaster – to be forever associated with a hurricane or cyclone would be annoying. I hope the temperatures have warmed up a little for you.
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Yes, the storm names are strange at the very least. Who knew that weather was going to be such a production. It use to occupy a supporting role to life, but now it has moved up to a starring role. I guess we all just need to maintain a good sense of humor because I only see it getting worse. π
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Weather? What’s that?
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Okay, forget I asked. I just wrote about our ‘rain’.
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You have me laughing…Oh, my goodness….if I had a quick link I would give you the link to this other blogger’s posts on her manual that came with her KIA….I read it every now and then because it makes me laugh so hard. If you are interested I will look for it….I can find it without too much trouble.
Sometimes I think common sense is a thing of the past….
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Oh, by all means, send me the link if you run across it. π One can never have too many chuckles.
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There are two posts about her new Kia:
http://snapperone.blogspot.com/2013/11/eek-geek-position-open.html
and:
http://snapperone.blogspot.com/2013/11/eek-geek-position-openpart-2.html
I am sitting here with tears in my eyes from laughter…mainly from the second one, but the first prepares you for the second post.
Leave me a note on how you like them, or tell Sandra I sent you…or both.
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Good ones. π Thank you for sharing. I left comments on both.
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Your rant is completely understandable! Glad you survived the wicked weather.
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Love it – you’ve voiced what most of us are thinking!
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Hope your temps are leveling out. π
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Above freezing today, first time in weeks. Rain and 50 on Friday – the antithesis of the prior week. I’ll take it!
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Odd I had to come find you on my WP reader to see the comment box.
I loved your rant and couldn’t agree more!
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Hmmm. I didn’t know I had any hiccups here, but on my MG blog, I lost the entire right side and am still awaiting info from WordPress on how to bring it back. π
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π¦ At least I’m not landing in your spam box. When I changed themes somehow I ended up in 3 bloggers spam folder when I commented.
I hope you get that sorted out.
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I thought you would find this of interest. I heard from WordPress, and bless the gentleman who fixed it for me. He said that a photo I had used contained HTML that took out all the widgets. I received the two photos from a fellow gardener. One was a photo of her garden and one was a seed packet. I received them in email, downloaded then and then I uploaded into the post. Now, if I just knew how to avoid it in the future, but I don’t.
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Oh wow. I wonder if I even know how to avoid that? I would save as a JPEG and hoped that worked.
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Oh, I wish there were more folks seeing it as plain as you (and I) do. Great post!
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Who knew there is a whole group of us really tired of sensationalizing the weather and news. Thanks for stopping by. π
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Good rant
I understand there are people that might not take bad weather seriously or understand wind chill, wet bulb and such. Still, I dislike the way weather reporting hammers away at dangerous weather in a tone as if it is the end of the world. That kind or reporting is more alarming that helpful. It is also annoying to see reporters standing close to a slippery roads, flooded rivers, hurricane force winds and such. They do not set a good example.
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Glad you enjoyed it. π It has become like fear mongering to the point that instead of using good common sense to stay safe, we should just never venture out – too scary. And, yes, like it is the end of the world, and then they stand somewhere to show how bad it is but tell us not to go there. It is just plain ridiculous to anyone with a brain. Did I say actually that? π
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Wait a minute–aren’t you in South Carolina?? Do I have the wrong blogger? Whatever–I completely agree with you! But when the weather channels became Weather Channels they wanted to make big money and the means turning the weather into DRAMA. So silly. I like the approach taken by Jimmy Griffin, former mayor of Buffalo, in the face of the Blizzard of ’77–“Get a 6-pack and stay home.”
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Yes, I’m in SC, but we stay in touch with NH weather because of family still having to survive it and were watching news from Boston. Down here the weather is called, First Alert, and some of the schools are still closed today and the temps are suppose to hit 58. π
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It sounds like we’re going to get even more nasty weather this weekend! Freezing rain and other yuckiness! Can i come hang out with you??
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You betcha – sun is shining, waves are crashing, and it’s going to be 60. Coffee is on, and I even have the ingredients to make a batch of toffee. π
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Amen to that! They just want you to watch them all day when all you have to do is look out your window. Bomb cyclone…give me a break.
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Media certainly like to dramatize everything. Even the common place has to have new dramatic sayings, and often said with the sound of inverted commas around them “if you know what I mean…”!!!
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Im with you on this one. Everything has to be sensationalized these days. I miss simpler times. Itβs snowing and cold in winter? shocking! Temps are high in August? Unheard of! My son just got let out if school 2 hrs early yesterday and had a 2 hr delay this morning because of an ice storm that ended up passing us over.
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We are visiting in SC, and they closed schools yesterday because of last week’s storm. Why, I have no idea. The temperatures hit almost 60. π It seems that the fear mongering with regard to weather goes on from day to day. They find something somewhere in the world and keep hammering away about it. Today it is the mudslides in CA. Is that tragic? Of course, it is. Is it unexpected after their massive fires? Not, if you have a brain in your head.
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You are the best, Judy!Spot on! Oh, and by the way, don’t put your hand on the top of the woodstove, the folks ‘who know’ and have our best interest in mind (ha!) have indicated that the surface gets hot!
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I am so glad you read that somewhere because now I can stop worrying about you burning your hand by laying it on a wood burning stove. And, let me remind you not to pour your hot coffee on your body this morning either. π Have a good Wednesday, friend.
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Hi, i can’t type because i can’t see from tears in my eyes, i read the post and laughed so hard hubby came and i read it out loud to him. at times i could hardly talk for laughing. you might be my sister i never met. these are all the things i think about. and about your new car OH MY that makes me be happy i can’t afford a new car. Hubby said when i read your comment on my post and this post She is someone i would like to know… thanks for the comments and my first laugh of the day. will let Rose know i MET you.
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I never had a sister, so I have space in the family. I will gladly adopt you and hubby as my new blogging sister and brother-in-law, and we can share our outrage at the ridiculous state of affairs in today’s world. Stay safe today – drink that coffee and don’t pour it on your lap. π
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i have only one brother. but i do have 3 blog sisters. Rose is one. i forgot to comment that when i go shopping i use the weather radar to tell when i can run between stores. in Florida our storms move around and only cover small spaces, not the whole area, i will see a gap in the pattern and think, that is an hour away. i love tech stuff but i think we did fine without it
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I think the various apps have wonderful applications that can be of value to all of us. However, I use the information they provide to assist me but not restrict me. Maybe, I just don’t like to be told what to do. π
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Loved your post! It is so true how asinine weather reporting has become, as if no one has any common sense. You are right on! You just did great factual and humor infused reporting of the situation! Oh and by the way, when did snow storms start getting named such as this one “Grayson” ? Or is this just an east coast thing where some of the high profile networks reside? Enjoyed your writing. Thank you.
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You made an interesting observation – is it an east coast thing. I don’t know, but maybe it is just that. I think it is so absurd to name storms, but I’m sure those that do don’t care about my little old opinion. Thanks for stopping. π
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I suspect the people who need every tiny detail of a weather forecast are the people who can’t tell that an egg that smells horrible is bad, even if it is still within its use-by date!
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I think you nailed it on the head. π
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Rant away, Judy. This is also a pet peeve of mine. Weather has become news, and news is 24/7, which means each report has become overly dramatic to gain attention. They are no longer simple reminders to exercise common sense – and yes, we do need to be reminded occasionally of common sense – but weather reports now actually scare people. In advance of an expected storm, or in its early beginnings, traffic is worse, and behaviour on the road deteriorates as people are rushing to get to where they are going before the “bomb drops”. Seriously. This is irresponsible.
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It’s months after the fact but your weather rant, though specific, the concept of the dumbing down is antagonistic and yet sadly has an actually place in this society. Isn’t it something how you receive detailed instruction about how to face the weather, the possible side effects of most of the drugs prescribed, and foods and clothes are seasonal, but common sense, and respect for life, and people seems to no longer exist.
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I am still in muting the weather mode. It seems simple to me. There are current conditions and those that will arrive later. But, the weather section is now part entertainment, fear, and trying to impress you with words that have been created to further entertain and cause fear. And, telling me I need to wear a jacket and carry an umbrella when it is 40 degrees and raining just insults my intelligence. There I go again. Sorry. π
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Insulting intelligence for some, using too many big words for others. We need balance.
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