Hype Heats Up

| July 11, 2011 @ 1:19 pm | 16 Replies

Long time readers know my concern over increasing levels of hyperbole in the weather world. Before anybody gets their back arched here, this is not a criticism of any person, media outlet, or agency, this is a post critical of the overall system in which we work. The culture of weather hype. A challenge for all of us to tone it down.

Today is a great example… just got a note from a producer that wanted to lead with “heat” on our early evening news on ABC 33/40. In their defense, they saw a report that called today’s heat “a dangerous situation in which heat illnesses are likely”. I could see how a news producer might want to make this the lead story of the day.

I know, some of you think this “pretty TV boy” that sits in a cool studio “all day” knows nothing about heat and how it impacts people that work outside. First off, I am sure no pretty boy, and I have already spent some time outside this morning. Growing up in Deep South Alabama as a young child, I spent most summer days outside in the heat from sunup to sundown. I totally get it… I know Alabama heat better than most from many, many years of experience. YES, IT IS HOT.

Let me say here that Alabama heat CAN be dangerous. The summer of 1980 is a great example; a total of 120 people died statewide, with a long duration period of excessive heat, including a high of 106 in Birmingham, and eight consecutive days with a high of 100 or higher. There was not a drop of rain at any time during that heat wave. Nationally, the death toll was near 10,000. Now this was a big news story.

But…. I suggest today’s heat is not really extraordinary. Yes, dewpoints are up in the mid 70s making the heat oppressive and rather smothering. Certainly uncomfortable. But dangerous? Guess that is a matter of opinion. I see most places have failed to reach 90 as of midday, and we have a nice batch of showers and storms on radar in the broad area from Anniston to Montgomery. Looks like most places will see a high in the low to mid 90s today, with some neighborhoods to the east struggling to reach 90 due to the morning showers. The 1:00 data set has just arrived, and Birmingham is reporting only 88. What makes it feel so nasty is that dewpoint of 76 degrees. But, 88 is just not dangerous heat in my book for Alabama.

If today’s heat is “dangerous”… then driving, swimming in the ocean, flying, even walking around your neighborhood is dangerous. The point is that they all CAN be dangerous if you don’t use common sense. I believe the public has the common sense not to stand in the middle of the road, jump out of an airplane, and stay out of the water if you see a nearby shark fin. And, they have the sense to take care of themselves on a hot, humid summer day.

The weather is supposed to be hot in Alabama in July! I promised our readers here that we won’t insult your intelligence this summer. So many TV stations run “heat tips” on hot summer days… the anchors have a grimaced look, and tell you to go into an air conditioned room, drink water, and don’t “over exert” yourself. I say our readers are perfectly capable of figuring out those highly enlightening and revealing tips on their own. Quite frankly, those that read this blog are pretty smart in my opinion.

C’mon… this is Alabama in summer. It is hot. Always has been, and always will be hot. Let’s hold the heat hype until we really do have a dangerous situation. By the way, just got a note from the producer that “heat” won’t be the lead at 5:00. Good call.

Category: Alabama's Weather

About the Author ()

James Spann is one of the most recognized and trusted television meteorologists in the industry. He holds the AMS CCM designation and television seals from the AMS and NWA. He is a past winner of the Broadcast Meteorologist of the Year from both professional organizations.

Leave a Reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.