We have a weather app on the laptop. Every so often a red triangle with an exclamation point appears to let us know there's an alert of some sort. Some of those advisories make sense. You know, if we're in Missouri or some other part of the country prone to tornadoes, I'd like to know that severe thunderstorms with the possibility of tornadoes are moving into the area.
On the other hand, exactly what is the point of a "winter weather advisory?" If you live in one of the northern states, e.g., Michigan, and it gets to be the time of year where temperatures routinely drop below freezing, do you really need to be warned that winter weather is possible? Winter on the calendar may not officially begin until late December, but everyone knows winter in reality has already begun. This is, after all, the land of "nine months of winter and three months of rough snowmobiling." Do we really need to be told snow is possible? Snow's been possible for over a month. And if I want confirmation that winter weather is coming, all I have to do is look out the window. There's this white, fluffy stuff covering everything. It looks suspiciously like snow. Gee, if there's snow, I guess I should worry that winter weather is possible -- because without the weather app telling me, how else would I know what that white stuff on the ground means or that it's time to dig out the mittens and scarves?
The converse of this useless advice, of course, falls in July and August, especially down South, where the weather service feels obliged to dole out "heat advisories." Does anyone in Texas or Mississippi really need to be reminded that during the summer months it can get Hot outside?
"Partly cloudy with increasing darkness by nightfall." Does anyone ever look outside, or for that matter, actually go outside and look up? Looking at the calendar, as you suggest, is also a place to get a clue.
ReplyDeletewhen it's August in Texas and the weather comes on..everyone changes the channel to espn or cooking channel..we know he's going to say it' 102 today and it's going to be 103 for the next 5 days..so fuckit.
ReplyDeleteThis new world can not function without technology. Can you imagine what would happen if all cell phone service ceased and the internet shut down?
ReplyDeletethe Ol'Buzzard
Some famous Brit flung his barometer which was registering fair and sunny, through the window into pouring rain with the admonition that it should "see for itself".
ReplyDeleteWeather happens.
ReplyDelete