Why Do Weather forecasters get paid??

[Kuki]

While I've been wintering in Scottsdale I have 4 different weather forecasting sites that I check in on. One is Accuweather, the other 3 are posted next to each other using Bing.

The differences in weekly forecasts are quite incredulous. Seven days out the forecast hights are often as much as 15 -20 degrees different.

I haven't really wasted any time yet tracking to see if one is any more accurate than the others, but I'm guessing non are accurate. Yet, people are being paid to provide them... then we laugh at people who pay good money to see psychics?!?

Can you think of other professions where people are paid to be neither right nor wrong?

[Aerogirl]

I'm so with you on this. I find myself asking the same question a few times a week. The mor technology they have the worse they get. Something to be said for the old days!

I think the media falls in to this category.

[ready2board]

One trend I've noticed here in the midwest with most tv stations is they do their forecasts to keep you tuned in. I'm not saying they exactly lie when bad weather is on the way...But I think they make it sound as potentially extreme as possible to make sure you either keep tuned in or tune back in on a regular basis. Weather on these stations is a big ratings draw.

[kandajones]

Hi Kuki, they are no better on this side of the water. Like you I have often wondered how anyone can get a job so wrong every day & still be employed.

I prefer to use an old method of weather forecasting - Seaweed. The idea is that you hang some seaweed outside your house and open to the elements. Then check it each morning .....

If it is white, it is cold
If it is wet, it is raining,
If it is warm, then it is sunny
If it is not there, then it is damned windy

Alan