Survey: When Do You Want Your Forecast?
Please help, I’m a little confused after working the 3am to noon weather shift the past few weeks. It’s been years since I worked the early morning shift and I’m wondering if the weather forecasting rules still apply in the fast-paced technology world of today. At the bottom of this post, click on “comments” to let me know when you want or check your forecast during the day. I’d also like to know what most important piece of the forecast information that you are looking to hear. Below is the conventional thinking I learned from my many bosses and TV consultants over the years. Do these rules apply to you?
1) Morning Forecast: Focus is on what people need to know as they head out the door. People want to know what type of clothing they need to wear and whether they need an umbrella or not. The extended forecast isn’t very important to viewers since people are rushing around and not thinking about future plans.
2) Afternoon Forecast: A detailed look at what can be expected during the late afternoon and early evening for any activities. This is also the time when many people are in planning mode for the next day or the weekend so the extended is very important.
3) Late evening Forecast: People are preparing for the day ahead. The day part forecast is the most important. People know what errands they have to do the next day and they want to know what the weather will be like at specific times. Extended forecast is given but not the most important focus.
So does the above-thinking apply to your weather wants and needs? Let me know in the “comments” section below.
-BK
Comments
Bill,
I think you're pretty spot on. I would only add that I'm really interested in extended forecasts throughout the day.
I like the Plus five, it's good to plan ahead, and would advocate putting that on as much as possible.
Keep up the good work!
Posted by: Tag | March 22, 2007 07:24 PM
It doesn't matter to me that much. I usually check the web to get data that is most important to me.
That said, I like to see radar and maps, and cool weather pics that are going on in other places.
Posted by: Jenna Brash | March 22, 2007 08:33 PM
I work overnights, so I'm probably not your target audience! :)
On national forecasts, I want to see where there is bad weather. On my local forecast, just give me the details on what to expact for the day, week, etc.
Posted by: Diego | March 22, 2007 10:28 PM
1. Want 7 day forecast in all newscast.
2. Want rainfall amounts for previous day by general location, including Stephenville/ Mineral Wells/Granbury area (Have ranch there).
3. % chance of rainfall by day important.
4. Just show current/forecasted temperatures by city--don't read them to me.
5. Channel 8's recent "cap information" was very informative--didn't see it on Channel 5.
6. Channel 5 Weather is my 1st choice of channels.
7. Adding a "weather info" feature would be informative, e.g. weather radios, what is a dry line, weather cap, etc.
8. Wind direction and speed is important due to outdoor activity as is sunrise and sunset.
With the many new arrivals to Texas (like me), knowing why Texas weather is vastly different (severity and varibility) than midwest or east coast weather (which are considerably more predictable and consistent) is both interesting and important.
Posted by: Bill Porter | March 23, 2007 11:24 AM
I like the "Best and Worst" weather that you guys do on MSNBC.
Posted by: Stevie GB | March 23, 2007 03:42 PM