5 Ways That You're Using Weather Networks Wrong

When it comes to checking the weather forecast in an area, finding accurate data is important. Whether the forecast is revealed by using a laptop, a phone, the T.V., or even the radio, this information is used to manage everyone’s daily activities. An accurate weather forecast helps people make informed decisions regarding their daily schedules, and it can even impact an individual’s mood for the day. Not only this, but weather networks release information regarding alerts that have the potential to harm individuals living in certain areas, like severe weather alerts, tornado warnings, and other negative weather watches. Because this information is so critical to such a wide range of people, almost everyone uses weather networks as a way to obtain information that they couldn’t have received by any other means. But these weather networks are often used incorrectly. Here are 5 ways that you’re using weather networks wrong.

1 - Fully Trusting The Forecast

The weather forecast that’s presented to the public will always be at least slightly inaccurate because the atmosphere is ultimately unpredictable. There are multiple and various steps involved when it comes to preparing a forecast of the weather. Generally, a snapshot is created of the globe and is put onto a 3D model of the world, and the model expands from the surface of the Earth to the stratosphere above the Earth. After this, the snapshot model is modified to present future conditions, and the weather forecaster then interprets the data that they see. They transform the data they received from the model into a presentable forecast that they can then broadcast on a weather network.

Not only this, but the atmosphere itself is basically unpredictable. The butterfly effect is defined as the notion that a small change in one certain location creates many other changes on a larger scale. And these small changes are almost impossible to predict or envision for the future. As a result, the butterfly effect proves that the atmosphere is malleable and that its future conditions cannot simply be predicted perfectly.

2 - Listening to Forecasts for Months Ahead

There are plenty of weather networks that broadcast forecasts displaying the weather weeks or even months in advance to the current date. These forecasts are not only inaccurate, but they’re also misleading. Typically, to make forecasts for the future, meteorologists often use data presented by the planet’s positions, information about how the Moon affects the Earth, and the activity of sunspots present on the Sun. This data may assist forecasters in predicting the basic features of future weather, but the probability of these features occurring how the data presents them is currently unknown. The accuracy of weather forecasts increases as the future approaches, but when the forecast is released for weather that’s weeks or even months in advance, then the likelihood that it’s accurate is slight.

3 - Only Using One Source for Forecasts

Whether a person uses a laptop, a T.V., a radio, or a phone to retrieve their weather information, different weather networks usually release different results for the future weather. This is because each weather network uses their own specific systems as well as their own formulas to predict the weather for the future. Ultimately, all networks use the same information that’s gathered from satellites, radars, and weather stations, but the way in which each weather network processes and interprets each piece of information from these sources differs, resulting in different future forecast results being released by each network.

4 - Forgetting to Check the Weather Forecast Right Before you Leave the House

Whether someone is either traveling, spending time outdoors, or leaving their house for plans that they have around town, everyone should be checking the weather forecast each time before they travel. There are multiple convenient ways for everyone to check the weather forecast. Most people use their phones to view the weather, and they usually either have an app or simply use the weather information that may come in default on their phones. There are also widgets that can be created on any phone, and this allows for the weather to be quick you displayed without requiring unlocking the phone. Checking the weather before traveling is also important because it informs everyone of any weather warnings, alerts, or watches that may be listed.

5 - Not Taking Advantage of Radar Apps

As previously revealed, the weather forecast is almost always slightly inaccurate. Because of this, the probability that the percentages presented on a weather forecast being correct is slight. So downloading a radar app or simply viewing the weather radar can be extremely helpful. Not only does the radar show the likelihood of precipitation occurring in exact locations, but radars are always accurate, since they present information that is directly collected from satellites above the Earth.