How TV Weathercasters Work | STUFF YOU SHOULD KNOW

Summary

The Stuff You Should Know podcast episode titled "How TV Weathercasters Work" explores the world of broadcast meteorologists and TV weather personalities. The hosts note how the career of weather people is highly competitive and has low turnover rates, and residents in local areas often bond with weather personalities they trust, know, and love. The job of a weather person is to have a deep understanding of how weather works and communicate that in an understandable way while manipulating images on a green screen. They must possess poise, a good personality, and likability.

The history of weather on TV can be traced back to Jimmy Fiddler, who created the first personality-driven weather reporter in the late 1930s and was also the first human to be on television reporting the weather. In the post-war years, local TV stations began broadcasting weather forecasts, and a variety of forecasters emerged, including the dry types, wacky men, and weather girls. Notable personalities from this era include Lewis Allen, Clint Ewell, and Carol Reed. However, the pendulum began to swing back towards more legitimate meteorologists who were certified and had the respect of their peers.

The episode also discusses the technological advancements that changed weather forecasting, including geostationary satellites in 1975, green screens in the 1980s, Next Generation radar (Nexrad) in the early 1990s, and Doppler radar for more in-depth and detailed forecasting. Today, weather presenters often work very early hours, sometimes doing their own hair and makeup, and may have to work alone in smaller markets. A significant part of the job is going on-site amid dangerous weather to report, which is a recent trend.

The episode highlights the tough life of a weather caster and discusses how they have to research and cover non-weather topics like celestial events, pollen counts, and fishing forecasts. They also have to coordinate with news managers to determine whether any of the weather warrants news coverage and to provide local events to put the weather in context. To build their brand, weather casters are active in the community and on social media, and they have to create pictures of the weather by putting together all the data from various sources.

The podcast concludes by discussing how weather anchors are often the bright shining star of local news, despite not always being treated that way. The hosts note that weather anchors are increasingly being spotlighted on news programs, and some are taking a different approach by interpreting weather in the context of climate change. This trend allows weather anchors to evolve into science reporters, putting weather patterns and events into context for viewers and helping them better understand the effects of climate change. The podcast ends on a lighthearted note, with the hosts reading a listener email about fillings in dental school being dubbed "Dolly Parton bands" due to their busty appearance.

Overall, the podcast provides a fascinating insight into the world of weather presenters, their history, evolution, and the challenges they face. It is an engaging and informative episode that showcases the crucial role weather anchors play in local news and how their influence is expanding beyond just reporting the weather.