Atlantic Canada Online Weather Watchers -> Forecasted winds

Forecasted winds

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Davebo

Posted: Jun 18 2012, 11:04 AM

Regular Member

Group: Members
Posts: 730
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Joined: 27-April 04

QUOTE (cfogarty @ Jun 17 2012, 04:51 PM)

Formal logging of complaints is much better done through these methods:
Weather.INFO.Meteo@ec.gc.ca

The public/users can see http://www.weatheroffice.gc.ca/mainmenu/contact_us_e.html for contact information (NIRT) and the web form.

Chris

I'm way ahead of you, Chris. I bring it up here to DISCUSS with the rest of the membership. Some are seeing what I'm seeing, it turns out.

Here's their response, from May 17. Basically boilerplate - changes nothing - the forecasts are inaccurate on a regular basis. And it's not just here in this river valley. It's province-wide....

CODE

Thank you for sending your feedback to Environment Canada.
We understand your frustration about the lack of accuracy of the forecasts and warnings and wish to explain some of the limitations that we face in making and communicating predictions about the weather.
Although our meteorologists use some of the best radar, satellite and computer model technologies available, there remain deficiencies in our knowledge of the science of meteorology and the past and present weather conditions upon which our meteorologists and computer systems rely in preparing and distributing forecasts.
One big challenge is trying to take into account all the "local effects" caused by the geography of an area where the weather can be substantially different in one place compared to the rest of the region because of the effects of valleys, hills, mountains, or proximity to water. Another is the brevity with which we have to communicate information about often complex weather situations. The accuracy of the forecast is usually better for the near-future, and decreases in the long term as errors associated with the deficiencies in our knowledge of the detailed state of the atmosphere grow over time.
We take the tracking of our forecast performance very seriously and monitor the accuracy of the weather forecasts. Although we are able to see that our predictions have been improving over time, there are occasions where nature sometimes deals us a scenario that is extremely difficult to forecast with the kind of accuracy that we would like and perhaps you expect. We are undertaking efforts to continuously improve our forecasts and to improve our measurements of their accuracy. Rest assured that the technologies are improving and the global knowledge of meteorology is improving with every event that is investigated.
All the complaints we receive regarding the quality of our forecasts and warnings are sent to the appropriate managers of the forecast centres for their information.
Regards,
National Inquiry Response Team
Meteorological Service of Canada
Environment Canada

cfogarty	Posted: Jun 18 2012, 11:12 AM
Meteorologist [PhD] Group: Super Moderators Posts: 9,530 Member No.: 10 Joined: 29-April 04	We've pretty much beat this one ... you've got my information on the factors at play and the official response from my colleagues. That's about all I can personally do for ya Dave. Cheers, Chris

Davebo

Posted: Jun 18 2012, 11:31 AM

Regular Member

Group: Members
Posts: 730
Member No.: 4
Joined: 27-April 04

QUOTE (cfogarty @ Jun 18 2012, 12:12 PM)

We've pretty much beat this one ... you've got my information on the factors at play and the official response from my colleagues. That's about all I can personally do for ya Dave.

Cheers,
Chris

That's fine, Chris. You can still participate as someone who experiences weather, though. ;)

I'm just not satisfied with the response from EC. I tried again subsequently, but no response. I keep bringing it up here to see what the other members are experiencing, and I'm seeing similar instances of the winds being forecasted inaccurately.

It's worth discussion, especially when the weather is stable like it is. If I wasn't here beefing, this place would be dead ;)

cfogarty	Posted: Jun 18 2012, 11:33 PM
Meteorologist [PhD] Group: Super Moderators Posts: 9,530 Member No.: 10 Joined: 29-April 04	Don't forget that the 'response from EC' is more than what you received via the online submission. I am with EC. LOL. Is my response here Saturday night of any enlightenment? Chris

GBNova	Posted: Jun 19 2012, 07:12 AM
Administrator Group: Admin Posts: 7,204 Member No.: 1 Joined: 27-April 04	I applaud you Dave for trying to spice things up during this difficult time. :) I thought the response from EC was pretty good. At least in part they are saying that sometimes they don't know what it is going to do, and in part that they don't have enough money to take the time to improve it. An honest self-assessment I would say.

Davebo

Posted: Jun 21 2012, 10:23 AM

Regular Member

Group: Members
Posts: 730
Member No.: 4
Joined: 27-April 04

QUOTE (cfogarty @ Jun 19 2012, 12:33 AM)

Don't forget that the 'response from EC' is more than what you received via the online submission.� I am with EC.� LOL.� Is my response here Saturday night of any enlightenment?�

Chris

You know what I'm talking about, Chris. Of course I know you're with EC - you're not alone here, either. My point to you was you can still participate as someone who enjoys the weather, but might not be able to be as forthcoming as they would like, as you work for 'the man'. ;)

I appreciate the response from EC, either from the folks here or the feedback from the official channel.

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