Who can say which TV station in a market gives the most accurate weather forecast? WeatheRate claims it can. WeatheRate says it’s the only independent, nonpartisan, weather verification company that certifies the accuracy of daily local TV weather forecasts across the country. And only one TV station can be the most accurate in each city. […]
Who can say which TV station in a market gives the most accurate weather forecast?
WeatheRate claims it can.
WeatheRate says it’s the only independent, nonpartisan, weather verification company that certifies the accuracy of daily local TV weather forecasts across the country. And only one TV station can be the most accurate in each city.
“We research 85 cities for a full year from March 1 through Feb. 28,” said Bruce Fixman, president of WeatheRate.
According to Fixman, a meteorologist, WeatheRate employees review the forecasts from TV stations. The forecasts are then fed into WeatheRate’s patented software which compares the forecasts with the actual observed weather conditions to determine which TV stations are the most accurate. WeatheRate tracks high and low temperatures, sky cover, precipitation, snow accumulations, wind and fog as well as timing of severe weather.
WeatheRate then offers the stations with the most accurate weather forecast the opportunity to license their seal of approval for a year for a fee, based on market size.
WTVJ, the NBC O&O in Miami, is the most recent station to license the “most accurate weather forecast” seal of approval.
Larry Olevitch, WTVJ’s general manager, said the distinction “is a nice validation for our team and our technology.”
According to WTVJ, it’s the only station in town using live, local radar, providing a six-minute advantage over its competitors.
“There’s strength in the data,” said Olevitch,”the facts are undisputable.”
“This WeatheRate distinction confirms that WTVJ provides viewers with the critical information they need to be prepared for whatever Mother Nature may bring,” said Chief Meteorologist John Morales. In his 24th year in South Florida, Morales is the longest-tenured broadcast meteorologist in the market.
WeatheRate has been in business for 11 years and WGRZ, the Gannett-owned NBC affiliate in Buffalo, N.Y., has been a WeatheRate client for 10 years.
“What’s more important in weather forecasting than accuracy?” asked Jim Toellner, WGRZ’s general manager. “The distinction gives confidence to viewers that they’ve made the right choice.”
Out of the 85 markets tracked by WeatheRate, 39 stations rated as giving the most accurate weather forecast have opted to license the seal of approval, according to Fixman.
For a complete list of WeatheRate-certified TV stations, click here.
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