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A Few Basic Questions

A Few Basic Questions


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Hi,

I am a high school sophomore and my dream is to become a meteorologist.

Which computer model runs do you use for the 6 PM broadcast? (12z or 18z runs)

Do you use the same model runs for the 11PM broadcast?

Do you verify your temperature forecasts?

Do you verify your precipitation forecasts? If so, what method do you use?

Sincerely,

Charles F.

**********************************************************

Awesome career goal! Be sure to study up on math and science along with your communications courses.

For a 6 pm show we will use likely a blend of both models. When we get into the office in the early afternoon, often times the 18 Z run is not complete. Z is a time it corresponds to Grenwich Mean Time. 18 Z right now is 12 noon. It really just depends on if the run is complete or not. Some models finish running before we arrive into the office and some are not ready.

We will check the latest runs for the 10 pm shows for sure.

Do we verify? Sure! Do I keep records of my forecast personally, not really. We don't have to, sure, we can if you like! We verify each day and look at the different models to see how they did and how we did. Obviously, if there's bad errors or we're off, we have to figure out why! As far as a method, if we're being really into verification we'd use a spread sheet. Otherwise we just would compare our forcast with what actually happened, the climate data.

Good luck in your studies!

Answered by KSL Meteorologist Dina Freedman.

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