Weathermen being sensationalists for CYA?

[Cienega32]

My local forecasters have of late been more wrong than more right in regards to storms. It almost seems as if they're trying to over-predict the severity in order to be sage-like. Of course, when it doesn't pan out anywhere close to their prediction... "Well we got lucky this weekend!" is the mantra.

Are they merely victims of over-aggressive models and predict using the worst case scenario loaded with "What if.." or are they just trying to look "smart" should those models actually work out?

Our weekend rain turned into a couple of swipes of the wipers and it seems to be a trend.

[ocala]

I don't know what kind of track record these mets have so I couldn't comment on their motives but sometimes those models do get very aggressive. A couple months back NWS Jville had us for a slam dunk severe weather event. The schools canceled all after school activities and business's sent employees home early.
Nothing happened.
Trying to predict the weather is tough. Look at all the models out there. Half say this, the other half say something else. Combine that with local climatological knowledge and make your best guess.
 Your local guys as well as any TV mets have the added problem of public opinion. You miss a forecast and people aren't ready then you get toasted. On the other hand, as you current weather played out, nothing happened and people will still complain.
Damned if you do and damned if you don't.

My self I read the forecast discussions for my area as well as surrounding area's. Look at the models and monitor radar trends. I never go by what the TV guys say.

[CookevilleWeatherGuy]

My local forecasters have of late been more wrong than more right in regards to storms. It almost seems as if they're trying to over-predict the severity in order to be sage-like. Of course, when it doesn't pan out anywhere close to their prediction... "Well we got lucky this weekend!" is the mantra.

Are they merely victims of over-aggressive models and predict using the worst case scenario loaded with "What if.." or are they just trying to look "smart" should those models actually work out?

Our weekend rain turned into a couple of swipes of the wipers and it seems to be a trend.

As someone who has stood in front of the green screen, I can only speak for myself. The goal was to inform and to get it right. Nothing more, nothing less. I didn't try sensationalism. I made it funny and memorable, but the forecast was still the forecast. People still come up today saying 'when will we see you on TV again'.....

Does sensationalism happen? Occasionally, but do most men and women who choose Broadcast Meteorology want to do their best? Of course.

Like Ocala said, they are second guessed and there are a lot of amateur 'meteorologists' in the public!   

[WeatherHost]

As someone who has stood in front of the green screen, I can only speak for myself. The goal was to inform and to get it right. Nothing more, nothing less. I didn't try sensationalism. I made it funny and memorable, but the forecast was still the forecast.

I could unload a bunch of questions on you.  Our local station is useless.  They've got such a bunch of goofballs that the entire newscast is almost unwatchable.  The weather segment is so full of catch-phrases, buzz-words, gimmicks, slogans, mottos and other useless fluff, that it's hard to pick out the actual forecast.

Total contrast to the next nearest station who puts on a professional broadcast.

[HailHunter]

We actually have the opposite problem in our market. Our meteorologists are hesitant to say even say "thunderstorms." The standard word for any cell on the radar (unless they have to admit that it is a storm) is "thundershower."

In times of predicting severe weather, they will go out of their way to mention it as least as possible, and then say "a few storms could be severe" rather than "there is a good likelihood we see some severe weather."

Although, credit where it is due, they tend to be on top of their game when there are severe weather outbreaks, and have only disappointed me a handful of times with their lack of response.