05-19-2008, 07:14 PM
[quote Don Kiyoti]Here in Tucson, the high temperature forecast is of increasing interest this time of year. I've been looking at my weather widget quite often and when I see a figure that's rather alarming (106º for Tuesday) I compare it to what the National Weather Service says. I find that "Accuweather" consistently adds 4º to whatever NWS says. In other words, it'll really be 102º on Tuesday. Right now, NWS indicates 94º with a heat index of 89º. "Accuweather" is saying 93º with a "RealFeel ™" (god how I hate marketing) of 103º which is complete BS.
So, I suppose the inflated and alarmist forecast numbers must be designed to increase the hit rate on the "Accuweather" web site. Could there be a better explanation?
I recall a few years ago that Rick Santorum wanted to prohibit the NWS from providing weather information directly to consumers in order to promote the free market, advertising-driven services like "Accuweather" and weather.com (which incidentally shows data much closer to reality). Thank god that didn't happen! Yes, there is a better explanation.
It is called a MicroClimate.
My front and back yards vary by three degrees with the same digital thermometer.
Also, the RealFeel temperature that you fear is actually more accurate to humans then just the raw temperature, it takes into account humidity, look up Heat Index.
There are Weather Widgets that don't tie into AccuWeather.
Instead of fearing things, why don't you get your own temp/humidity hardware??
BGnR
So, I suppose the inflated and alarmist forecast numbers must be designed to increase the hit rate on the "Accuweather" web site. Could there be a better explanation?
I recall a few years ago that Rick Santorum wanted to prohibit the NWS from providing weather information directly to consumers in order to promote the free market, advertising-driven services like "Accuweather" and weather.com (which incidentally shows data much closer to reality). Thank god that didn't happen! Yes, there is a better explanation.
It is called a MicroClimate.
My front and back yards vary by three degrees with the same digital thermometer.
Also, the RealFeel temperature that you fear is actually more accurate to humans then just the raw temperature, it takes into account humidity, look up Heat Index.
There are Weather Widgets that don't tie into AccuWeather.
Instead of fearing things, why don't you get your own temp/humidity hardware??
BGnR