This past week of weather for North
Carolina has been, well peculiar. Just from a local standpoint, here in Boone
we have experienced just about every type of weather. At the beginning of the
week we were in the mid 50’s with a little bit of rain to start the day. Two days later we
received class cancellations in the form of white flakes, some call it “snow.” Yesterday we had sunny skies and the high of 61 degrees.
It was called Remus, but we don't really care about the
names, right? Well, regardless of the name, it wasn’t a correct forecast. They only called for less than an
inch on Tuesday when in reality we got 3 inches. But the storms weren't over
just yet, Thursday the Southeast was hit with a huge bash of snow.
As we can see from lack of preparation of the salt trucks,
the media plays a huge part in being proactive. The way that a meteorologist
predicts the forecast can be the deciding factor if town officials can be
ready. "Conditions are still dangerous out
there," said City Manager Ron Carlee of Charlotte, "Being out there a
little bit earlier myself and seeing a number of the roads, my biggest concern
right now is that people will be lulled into a disastrous sense of false
security."
Today
turned out much nicer than advertised. Sun broke through and temperatures west
of the Blue Ridge soared. Meanwhile temperatures along the Blue Ridge remained
rather cool. A front moves through tonight from the West with clouds returning
and some light rain continuing into early Monday.
-Jamison
Hi Jamison,
ReplyDeleteI like that you look at the disconnect between sensationalized weather coverage and preventative measures on the behalf of DOTs. How do you think the reliance on pathos to present the weather perhaps helps people understand big concepts like climate change more effectively? Keep working to explain the significance of your quotes. Also, remember, you are supposed to be covering three sources. Did you look at any other news stories that were similarly critical of the way the weather has been covered recently? What did they say? Did they support your reading?
-Ms. Jorgenson