KSHB: Weather: Action Weather Blog: Severe weather and coverage

Ingredients are coming together for severe weather Thursday. We will go into all of the parameters on Tuesday evening. In the mean time I have a question for you. How should we cover severe weather? On March 12th we must have received 500 emails and comments. There seems to be no middle ground. Either you value the continuous coverage we provide, or you condemn it. What do you see as the best way to cover a serious severe weather situation? For example: A line of severe thunderstorms is developing to our west and we are under a tornado watch. It is now moving into the Lawrence area and tornado warnings are issued. How should we handle this? Keep in mind if we are not in coverage and someone else is we get emails saying "you don't know what is going on", when you know we do. O.K. the debate is on.

And, more later on my vacation. It was a good, relaxing one. And, I did present my weather pattern theory to the Director of Meteorology of the University of Oklahoma. He gave me some great advice and some interesting ideas on how to take my theory further. More on this in the coming weeks. By the way, this next storm fits perfectly with the pattern we are cycling through.

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ya know.. i think its kinda selfish for people to complain that they are not getting to watch whatever it is they were watching b/c a "stupid tornado is not even near me what do i care, i just want to watch my show. So what if people die b/c they dont know a tornado is comming. not my problem."

I think if there are storms out there you should be in severe weather coverage.. i mean its not like they pay to watch NBC. You are providing free TV and people complain about what is on.

Mike Smith

Mike,

Thank you for helping!

Gary

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Hey I have a comment regarding how you should cover severe weather. I believe that anytime a tornado warning is issued for your viewing area you should break into a programed television show. You should not put peoples lives in danger just because someone else will miss the "Apprentice". I'm not saying you do this, this writing is for all those who believe you should not do anything until their lives are in danger. Another thing could you get the team to put St. Clair county on your map when there are severe thunderstorms. Thanks for everything you guys are the best. P.S. how good are the chances for severe weather and will it be another "March 12" severe weather breakout.

Daniel,

Thank you for participating, the debate is on!

Gary

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I, for one vote for the intense coverage..and here is a couple reasons why...1. Tis the season for severe storms, and its fair to cover potentially severe weather with life and property at risk. 2. I find it interesting to learn and watch the analysis. 3. I think it gives the public some insight of the workings that have to happen in forecasting. 4. Anytime the SPC makes note of potential severe [mod or high risk, not low] situation, it normally pans out into something the public should follow closely. 5. With the tone set by the last storm, people will naturally be on edge and need more info. 6. Better safe than sorry..though I understand ratings/programming warrants financial consideration.

As far as your theory, I look forward to upcoming blogs with some thoughts. I find it interesting to know how the cycle starts and ends. I understand the summer jet stream likely breaks it, but when/how does it start up again? I think Thurs will be pretty wild...I am getting geared up to do some spotting.

I also still think there is a tie into abnormal outbreak seasons and la nina...doing some additional research on this...

Glad you enjoyed your vacation...welcome back!

Scott,

Great points! But I don't think La Nina has anything at all to do with severe weather. Thank you for helping out.

Gary

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When lives are in danger by mother nature I could care less about what programming is interrupted. I know when that weather is in my area I feel helpless as can be so I totally rely on as much weather information from the tv as the weather outside allows (meaning as long as the weather doesn't obstruct the signal or lose power). Learning about the current situation and knowing when to ease my jitters because of someone who has more knowlege and knows what areas no longer need to worry is something i really rely on.

I can't count the many times you (Gary) and others on the weather team have said on tv, to a specific area, not to worry anymore because they have significant less threat of severe weather because of certain circumstances, even though it seems the weather outside is saying otherwise. That kind of information is priceless. As well as skytracker. I enjoy knowing exactly where the storm is and skytracker really helps put in perspective where things are and whats going on outside with out putting myself in danger looking out the window.

Now I am not saying I don't get frustrated when programming is interrupted but most of the frustration is due to severe weather happening again and I have to worry again about keeping my family safe especially since I live in a duplex with a lack of a basement.I value life more than I do a show that can be seen again some other time or a sports show. It will quickly not matter if you are one of the unlucky ones to get hit severely by the storm.

So that being said. I enjoy as much weather air time as possible regardless if its in my area or not because when it's in my area I look for all the information I can get like How long will these events occurr? How bad is it really? What's in store after this event happens? How perfect is the atmosphere for these conditions to occur? Percentage?....etc

Keep up the good work KSHB weather team.

Chris,

Thank you for helping out. We could have some severe weather on Thursday.

Gary

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Gary,
As you are well aware, you can't please everyone. But having grown up in a rural area outside St. Louis that was rarely covered (at that time) during severe weather, I know that all of the viewers in the area deserve the right to know if they are in danger and value such coverage. People rely on their favorite news station to provide warnings, whether they live in Kansas City or a rural area. My thoughts are that you should be unapologetic for covering tornado warnings if anyone in the viewing area is affected. I know this is inconvenient for those who wish to view the regular programming. If it saves one life, its worth it and how selfish we are to complain about it. I would suggest that if programming is preempted in such a case, maybe it could just be replayed later in the evening (say in the overnight hours) and those announcements made during the coverage.

Jamie,

Thank you for participating!

Gary

Hey Gary,

Personally I enjoy the nearly wall-to-wall coverage that you provide as the storms move thru our area. But I know it can be difficult to "fill" time when there are lull's in the storm or nothing new is happening. So, I have a couple suggestions:

1. This may be an engineering question -- but can you have KSHB-TV show the weather while KSHB-DT shows regular programming?

2. Or, you could stay with the storm until it moves, lets say, 50 miles outside the metro area. After that, you could break in when there are emergency situations (tornado confirmed on the ground approaching a city), otherwise use the county map and scrolling text.

3. Finally, you could keep it on KSHB when in the metro, but then switch the weather over the 38 the spot once it gets into outlying areas.

Just my .02. Great idea to throw it to the bloggers!

Tim

Tim,

Great thoughts! We will be able to utilize our other digital channels soon, but most people will not be able to see those channels at least for a few more years. And, we could throw it over to channel 38, but I doubt my boss would want to do this if the weather is really serious. The outlining areas may not get channel 38. But, you are getting us to think in that area.

Gary

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Hi Gary!! Maybe you can interupt the commercials more instead of the regular programming all the time. My thought is if a tornado warning is issued in my area I am in the basement and not watching TV so I would not see your coverage anyways, plus alot of times in the area of the tornado warning power is out and you could not watch TV if ya wanted. Just an idea and thought. I love watching the coverage cause it gives me rush..hahhh!! Good luck figuring this all out. Your not going to make everyone happy no matter what ya do.
Monica

Monica,

The trend has been to cut into the national commercial breaks. But, if sirens are going off or thunderstorms may be producing damage to lives and property then I think we should be on.

Gary

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I would have to say that live coverage should be used to cover any counties that are under a tornado warning. With a severe thunderstorm warning the county affected should just be illuminated with no live coverage unless it is an extremely intense severe storm that could produce a tornado.

Devin Kellerman

Devin,

I pretty much agree with you. But, there are a lot of scenarios.

Gary

Hey - I say you have to cover it. Who cares what the other stations are doing. Like for me I am a loyal NBC watcher. You are the first station I turn on. If there is severe weather approching, I expect to see updates when I turn on NBC.

Yeah sometimes it is over kill - but rather the over kill on the TV coverage, then covering over kill on the deaths becvause there was a lack of coverage!

So in this case, if there is an err, err on the safe side. It is worth it in the long run. Besides no matter what you do, you will not make 100% of the people happy 100% of the time!

Leonard

Leonard,

It is more like we will not make 10% of the people happy, at least this is what it seems like.

Gary

In my view if we have severe weather moving into or in the Greater Metro area then coverage is important. But going "wall to wall" when the system has moved out of the metro and the sky is clearing is a bit much.

There is enough technology out there so you can get information out yet not completly overtake regular programing.
I guess I'm trying to say if a tornado is coming at my house, I want to know about it. But if it's 100 miles away, moreso if it is to the east of the metro it doesn't have as much importance to me.

Art,

This is one of those interesting concepts. You say that we should cover your area, but if it is affecting someone else then we shouldn't cover it? What if you lived in Oak Grove?

Gary

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FCC licenses are granted to broadcast stations with the intention that they will serve the public. Entertainment, though it takes a high priority for a station's schedule, should still be secondary when it comes to severe weather. There is no other source for viewers to get this information if television does not provide it.
Knowing that a tornado is on the ground in a storm that is heading your way allows a family to plan and adjust their schedule. I appreciate it as we live in the country, out of earshot of tornado sirens. Your coverage is even better than the computer generated info on our weather radio.
Keep it up.

Dwight,

Thank you! Great comments.

Gary

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Your severe weather coverage is excellent Gary I think if there is threatening weather approaching the viewing area or is developing in our area we should be notified by it and to break in programming because our lives are more important than watching ER, if a program has been entirely preempted they should reair later that day like after your 10pm news or something,also your weather theory is real interesting keep up the good work.

Jeremy,

This is probably an area we need to be prepared for. If a program is missed then we should have it set up to reair sometime overnight or later in the week. But, these details are hard to get approval from the network.

Gary

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I agree with Daniel. Anytime a life threatening situation arises--such as a tornado warning--you should break in on whatever is showing and keep people up to date on the situation. People seem to forget, or maybe not realize, just how volatile and unpredictable severe weather can be. The weather may not be in their immediate area, but there may be something developing along with the current storm or behind it that will be in the near future. Or a storm may track slightly differently and suddenly they are in the cross hairs of a dangerous storm. I think that if anything, you should have stayed on the air longer for the 12 March outbreak, but understand why you didn't. Thanks for all you do protecting us, even those of us not in the immediate metro area.

Mike,

On a day when there have already been tornadoes, we have to be even more sensitive. A thunderstorm coming across an area that has already been hit will have many viewers wanting the reaffirming information on the approaching thunderstorm.

Gary

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I very much want to believe that people appreciate what you all do during times of severe weather. I know I do! If you want my opinion, it is this.... When you break in with weather coverage, I feel protected, aware, and warned. Personally, my trust is in YOU to keep me and my family informed. If the coverage is going on and on, then there must be a reason. Keep up the good work.. we count on ya!

Jennifer,

Thank you for the support. And, most viewers may be surprised to know that we only have to do the extended covererage a few times each year. Most years this only happens only about 3 days. I am afraid this season could have 5 or 6 days with this possibility, but the other 360 days a year we don't have to do this. Maybe this is how I should present it.

Gary

Gary and Team,

First off, welcome back. Now Jamie, Jeff, and Brett can maybe take a breather until this Thursday (haha).

I don't think you have much of a choice when it comes to TV/SVR TRSA warnings, you'll have to break in.

What we could do without (unrelated to WX coverage) is all the so called Breaking news at the beginning of the newscasts (hehe). Most of that stuff is not even worthy of being news at all. Breaking news should be reserved for events that might cause wide spread restriction of population movement, mass casualty situations, or really wide spread property damage or public service outages.

Back to the weather...I might be a little biased being a weather buff, but it's better to play it safe then someone potentially losing their life because you all were pressured into downplaying or not reporting at all on certain severe WX events.

What you can do though, if you really want to is not to try and come up with filler material. I've seen others go into panic mode and then just plain at a loss for words because they have used them all after being on the air for too long.

It's a fine line I guess, but I think you all will do just fine.

We'll be looking forward to this Thursday, even though I'll be at the spotters class in Parkville. Let's hold that dry line off for a few hours.

Take care.

Jeff,

Thank you for great commentary.

Gary

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I think that the wide coverage of the dangerous weather is a necessity. I think that if there is a possibility that there would be tornados anywhere in the viewing area that the show should be preempted. I know when I hear thunder and see clouds, I turn on NBC because I know that the correct information will be passed along. I think that it is little and selfish for folks to worry about missing a show....they have reruns. Whereas your life and safety doesnt have a rerun. I think you are doing the best job to assure the safety for the viewers. Keep up the good work. Thanks for looking out for all of us.

Dottie,

Thank you for the support. I agree with your philosophy.

Gary

this is a lose-lose for you guys.

my thoughts are, it would depend on the event, I don't think it's really a big deal to jump on the air for every severe thunderstorm warning, and i think most people would aggree.. but what if the severe thunderstorm is producing 90mph winds over overland park, or saint joseph, or trenton?.. perhaps a few cut ins would be worth it. again same goes for tornado warnings, if it's just one county, and there's no obvious threat there is a tornado cut in during commericals (and to satifisy those gripey people, run a crawl with the storm info and say "we will provide updates durning the commericals") now's its totaly different when a tornado is there, or in the case of a few weeks ago, a few tornadoes, if there is a clear sign a tornado is there cover it and let the gripey people watch something else.

just my 3 and 2/3rd cents.

Glen,

Thank you for your 2 cents plus more! As soon as a thunderstorm moves past a local area there are many who think we are all safe.

Gary

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I think you guys did an excellent job covering the tornados on March 12th. I think you should break in as long as there is a significant threat for severe weather and stay on. I really appreciate a station that doesn't keep there programs on while there is a tornado threatening my house.
Thanks,
Justin Payne

Justin,

I think you are saying that you like the coverage, as long as there is a threat of a tornado!

Thank you for participating.

Gary

Ok, there is really no middle ground for you or anyone else. For those affected the intense coverage is great, for those not affected and they are missing out on their favorite program and are a little miffed. Now I have a solution: Now that KSHB has a HD ability and has the rights to 41.0 - 41.9, on your main channel, (41.1) run the information on the bar and suggest to the viewers for more information tune into channel 41.2. But what about those people who don't have HDTV you ask? Then during the commercials break in and give us the information. Just an idea to utilize all the channels that you have available.

Kevin,

This technology will likely be helping us very soon. Thank you for the ideas.

Gary

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Gary,

I think the weather coverage is great and you all do a wonderful job. If people are upset about the coverage, thats just too bad. My thought is that it is affecting someone somewhere and just because it isn't in my backyard doesn't mean it is not important. Thank you so much for being so fun and interesting to watch and listen to and for putting up with the negativity that people choose to create.

Sincerely,
Sarah

Sarah,

Thank you! I brought up this topic for the Action Weather Blog as a result of reading all of the negative and positive reaction to the past two weeks of crazy weather. I think most people that miss their program are extremely frustrated and angry, but an hour later they hopefully get over it. And, it only happens a few days a year. Maybe 5 or 6 times.

Gary

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I have no problem with cutting into programming to give updates. I think when a majority of people get upset is when, and this tends to be a problem with all your competitors as well, there doesn't seem to be anything else to say so the same exact info keeps getting repeated over and over again. Of course, there is not a perfect balance.

Oh... don't even think of cutting into Earl or The Office on Thursday night!!! :)

Also, I have family in Sedalia and they appreciate the coverage once storms leave KC.

Hank,

Hopefully all of the thunderstorms are long gone by the time Earl and The Office comes on. Remember, these are my favorite programs too. The last thing I want to do is cover severe weather Thursday night, but at the same time it is something I must be at my best at. I wish I had control over the weather and could move it along fast.

Gary

Gary, I think you and your weather team do an amazing job--------you are the experts so it is obvious that when you are on the air it is out of necessity. I honestly don't think people realize how large a viewing area you cover so you are working hard to let all of us know what is happening. Here we are 120 miles from you and we rely on the information you get out to us. We greatly appreciate it. thank you--------maggie

Maggie,

Thank you for the support. Have a great day and let's hope nothing happens Thursday.

Gary

Gary and all, please continue to provide full coverage! I live out in the country and do not have sirens to warn my family. On Mar 12 we were watching you intently as a storm approached Fayetteville Mo and, minutes before you said it would hit, our satellite signal went out. We hit the basement and listened to the hail pound our home and cars. If not for you it is quite possible my children and I would have been looking out the window instead of taking cover. If the large stones had hit our glass it could have been a bloody mess. But luckily no glass broke and if it did we were taking cover....thanks to your team coverage and ONLY warning.

As far as missing regular broadcasts, is there not a way interrupted shows can be re-broadcast? And does not the President interrupt more a year than severe storms? There is a silver lining to missed shows: You now have a reason to pay attention to re-runs! So for those who complain because a storm is not affecting their area, chill out, find alternative entertainment, and let Gary and his team warn those in danger and potentially save lives or bodily harm from storms.

Jim,

Great comments and so early in the morning. Thank you! Others will be reading your ideas and we appreciate it.

Gary

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Good Morning Gary,

I for one really appreciate how you and the weather team stay with us during severe weather. During the last outbreak you stopped and took the time to talk to the kids, and my kids really responded to it. You did this as the wall cloud was passing over us in Westwood and heading your way on the Plaza, so I also needed and appreciated the reassurance!
At the end of the day, you can catch a re-run of a show or highlights of any sporting event but you can't get your life back.
Thanks for all you do and sharing your passion for the weather with all of us.

Angela

Angela,

Thank you very much!

Gary

I moved from Dallas a few years ago. Down there we had a TV channel that was just devoted to the current local radar 24/7. This was not a cable or HDTV channel. Any TV could get it. Is there any chance of getting a station like that up here? When I heard a rumble of thunder, I could turn on this channel and see how bad the storm was. If it was really bad, I would turn to the local news and they would be on. If it was just a little storm, I would know that it would be over soon. (yes I do panic durring thunderstorm) I'm all for breaking into programming when dangerous weather approaches, is moving through, and even after it leaves the metro area. There are many people in such a wide area that watch your forcast. Thanks for doing such a great (and difficult) job.

Daisy's Mom,

Thank you so much! We will be there for you this spring.

Gary

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It's obvious people that are in harm's way are going to want the coverage... and people that aren't affected will not want to listen to it. But you can't win in that situation. And it is your JOB to keep people informed... so I think most people will understand why you are on.

You guys have the best weather team in town!

Sara,

Thank you. This is the reason I am asking this because we want to be the best at everything we do, not just one aspect of what we do. So, thanks for the supportive comments.

Gary

I think you should have as much coverage as is needed. I dont' think you need to keep repeating the same information, but if new inromation develops you should continue it. I work nights, and was sleeping that Sunday. I was glad to see when I was awakened again by the sirens in the afternoon, you were finally on the air more often. I really only trust your weather information, so my first choice in bad weather is to get my information from you. I do think coverage can be overdone. Find that balance and you are good, LOL! Harder done than said I'm sure.

Kimberly,

Our new computer, ESP, helps tremendously allowing us to disect thunderstorms. This should eliminate a lot of the endless babble that has occurred in the past. But, unfortunately some of this is necessary. It is sort of like reality TV.

Thank you for participating.

Gary

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Gary,
I was reading your blogging comments on here and I was not very happy with Arts comment since I live in Oak Grove! I would want to know right away if there was a Tornado heading for me so I could get the kids to safety. I have had a couple of bad experiences with Tornados, so any interuptions into the programming is more then fine with me! I would rather miss some time of programming then lose someone or something then missing a show! You guys keep up the good work there and I will be keeping my eyes on the weather on Thursday as i am sure I will be a bundle of nerves if we do get more severe weather!
Thank you KSHB Team!!!

Stephanie,

Thank you for participating and we won't forget about you as the thunderstorms move east of Kansas City.

Gary

I can't believe this is even an issue! I live in Holden, MO. My husband is a volunteer firefighter here in Holden and when a tornado warning is issued they go out spotting rotation. Although I don't watch the news breaks when this happens because I'm already in the basement, you SHOULD NOT stop the coverage!You would somehow be blamed for lives lost for not covering it intensely. You guys are great and do a WONDERFUL job. And keep doing what you do. Don't change it in any way.

Firefighters Wife

Shannon,

Thank you. Your comments help a lot.

Gary

Gary, When there are severe storms, the heck with the regular shows, lives are at stake. The wall to wall weather is a great service and it saves lives. Although, not much is down for us down here in rural Missouri so please mention Rockville. We are just east of Rich Hill and we never get a mention. We ARE in your viewing area. Please don't forget us. Thanks for all you do.

Dorothy,

We do mention Rich Hill all of the time, but I will make sure we look for Rockville, so keep watching KSHB-TV, your NBC Action News Channel.

Gary

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Weather team

Keep the coverage on!!! I grew up in rural Missouri and we had no sirens to worn us of a tornadoe. We relied on the tv (as long as the power was on) and the radio. There is nothing worse than knowing there is a tornadoe out there and having no idea where because there is a ball game on or music playing. I think people in metro are a bit spoiled in the since that they do not realize how good the coverage is as compared to smaller markets. Gary your team is the best and the only one I turn to when I need weather information either on tv, on the weatherline, or the internet. Keep up the good work.

Jason

Jason,

Thank you very much! This is really helping organize our thoughts.

Gary

Gary,
I think it is important to report severe weather, the problem is that it is repeated so much. Why can't the reports be made then if it gets life threatning break into the program. Updates during comercials and if there is imanimate threats as a tornato touch down or getting ready to. The repeating of the same information over and over is making people turn to cable or turn their sets off, I really listen when the weather comes on for a short period of time instead on going on and on.
Barbara

Barbara,

Thank you for the ideas. Repeating the same information over and over again must be reduced, but at times it is necessary in case someone just turned on the television. This is why I asked for participation so thank you.

Gary

Hey Gary,
I just wanted to let you know that you guys are doing a spectacular job when there is severe weather (and when there is not severe weather). I say to heck with the people who miss their shows because of severe weather. They are not missing anything that they can't see some other time. I personally love to watch you guys during severe weather. Although I am usually outside trying to find the tornado rather than watching t.v. But i always tune in to you when i want to know anything about the weather. You guys are the best. So is it looking pretty good for severe weather on Thursday?? I hope so. I love it. Did you hear about the solar eclipse?? I know it's not here but it will still be cool.

Ryan

Ryan,

More on Thursday later today. I will blog about all of the possibilities this evening, but cover it at 5, 6 and 10 PM on the air. It is still 36 to 48 hours away.

Thanks for the feedback.

Gary

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Hey Gary, we have a pretty biased opinion poll here since most people who read a weather blog are going to vote in favor of extended severe weather coverage. Personally, I love your coverage and whenever severe weather is imminent I turn to you. The views from the helicopter are stunning.

However, I think there are a lot of people out there who couldn't care less about weather. In their case, I can certainly understand the frustration of having their favorite show pre-empted. I believe their being shortsighted, but the reality is, a lot of people simply don't believe severe weather will ever affect them. On March 12th, I was sitting in a bar in Johnson County with at least 40 other people during the tornado warning. Very, very few of us paid any attention to the situation at hand.

There's certainly no way to please everyone, but perhaps you could provide extended coverage only when there's a tornado warning for the four most populated metro counties. We know tornados generally have a limited scope so the chance of one hitting a populated area in a county with a lower population is less. I know, playing the odds is such a cruel game.

The one thing which bugs me is the rather large graphic that is constantly displayed in the corner of the screen when there is just a watch in effect. I long for the days when a trailer was ran across the screen every once in a while. Honestly though, what network channels do is of little importance to me. I spend nearly all my TV viewing on channels like Discovery, Science, The Learning Channel, or The History Channel.

Keep up the good work guys. I'm eagerly looking forward to Thursday.

Dave,

Great ideas! Every event is different so we must be careful how we handle each one.

Gary

WOW, 37 reponses! This blog is a hit!
It always amazes me how some people are extremely self-centered to care about othe peoples safety. I say keep the wall to wall coverage. Human life is way more important than inconvience.

One idea to help with the redundancy is to focus alot on spotter coverage around the city. I personally am a weather freak like alot of us here and during severe weather I have the TV going, weather radio on, and I'm constantly checking weather related web sites.

by the way, is it possible you could post some links to weather related sites that you guys find helpful or interesting?

Dave,

It is possible to add some links, and this is something we will be seriously considering in the next few weeks, so remind me.

Gary

I believe that if there is severe weather to our west, that scrolling a message at the bottom of the screen is enough. As it gets closer (Lawrence) or is within 30 minutes of KC, then cut in with messages. Stay on the air until the threat is out of the KC metro area with messages scrolling at the bottom of the screen unless there are tornadoes.

I think you have been doing a great job. I have lived here for almost 6 years now and your weather is the one that I rely on.

Mark,

Great ideas! This is not that far from our philosophy.

Gary

As I read the various opinions I find it very interesting what people are saying about storm coverage. I moved here from Michigan back in June, and even stations in Michigan were starting to do what stations here are doing.

It is a very tough call to provide this kind of coverage. What is interesting is I have read several opinions on this outbreak but the SPC only has a SLIGHT chance. Perhaps, the coverage should be given to a higher risk of severe weather such as moderate or High Risk. My understanding is that a slight risk of severe weather is only going to have 10% coverage compared to a high risk of severe weather which is where a major outbreak is forecast. That is a different topic all together.

Anyway, I think you did a good job. No matter what, there is always some time of just babbling. That happens on CNN!

I guess what I want to know is what is the difference when The Weather Channel has complete Hurricane Coverage for 36 hours? Yes, they are a "Weather Channel." However, all you hear is the same thing over and over, and all programming and even commercials are pre-empted.

Lastly, nobody has even thought about the cost for this type of coverage. On March 12th, there were NO COMMERICALS. That costs money for the station. Sure, they get rescheduled, but that is a nightmare for traffic people! I think it is better to be safe than sorry, and in my opinion, I know I can depend on you better than NWS!

Thanks,

Brian

Brian,

Thank you, and you are correct as management doesn't like missing the revenue. And, Michigan is not alone, it seems to be a trend nationwide.

Gary

I just tune out of continuous coverage, so it does no good for me. If normal programming continued but with warnings when there is a need, I would be better informed. I don't like most TV programs, so when you take one off that I like, it is really irritating.

The competitors "sky is falling" approach does not result in increased public safety because most people just turn it off. It is repetitive, and generally tries to make things look worse than they are. Please do not go to that much coverage.

Bob

Bob,

I don't disagree but if there is a tornado on the ground or damaging winds heading your way I think we should be on.

Gary

There's no question in my mind that you should be on the air whenever potentially deadly or damaging weather is striking any part of the area that can receive your signal. Is there any potential legal liability to the station, as in this scenario: someone was watching your station in rural Mo or Ks (no tornado sirens) and you didn't break in to talk about local severe weather, so this person, who happened to be in the path of the severe weather, was injured by flying debris as he sat in his living room and a tornado destroyed his house around him? The person might claim your station was negligent by not warning viewers adequately about the tornado. When the FCC grants licenses to radio and TV stations, don't they do it with the understanding that the station is to be a "public trustee?" Would it not be negligent for the station to not keep severe weather coverage on the air simply for the convenience of those folks who are not being affected by it? I'm just playing devil's advocate here. In this litigious society, I wouldn't put it past someone to sue the station over a scenario like I have outlined above.
By the way, I think you all did a great job on March 12!

Geoman

Patrick,

Great comment. Thanks.

Gary

Gary,

I'm sure there are many reasons why people decide to became a meteorologist. I have to assume that one of those reasons would be the fact that you could save lives by informing the public of potential weather hazzards. When I took the storm spotter training last month they told us a story about a flooded roadway. Several people lost their lives that night because they weren't aware of the conditions. And the trainers told us that if even ONE spotter had seen the hazzard and called it in, they could have saved those lives. They used this example to emphasize to us the importance we as spotters could make. I can only imagine the tremendous responsibility that you feel when it comes to warning us of a potential severe weather situation. How can you "over" cover the situation when all you are trying to do is keep the public safe and informed? Are we all so selfish that we would place more importance on a "make believe" tv drama than the REAL threat to our lives and the lives of our friends and neighbors? I think that you would have to agree that interrupting a tv program is a small price to pay for the possiblity of saving even one life.

Thank you again for your passion and dedication to your job. But more importantly, thank you (and your team) for your dedication to keeping us safe.

Janine

Janine,

Thank you so much. Great statement.

Gary

I think that if there is an active warning in the viewing area than you should break into regular programing and cover all aspects of the storm that could be life threating. The greatest tool for surviving a life threating storm is up to date information. If it is in the viewing area or storms that are forecasted to come into the viewing area then I think you should do full coverage. A show that we could miss is of little importance ,information to save a life is of greater importance.

John,

Thanks for the input.

Gary

To the poster requesting weather links:

I've emailed Gary a list of links that I use.

I'll also be making a temporary web page soon with those links for everyone to view.

If it's ok with the weather team I'll post the link here in the blog as soon as I get the page complete.

Jeff,

Send it to the blog and we will post it in your next comment. I will look through all of your links.

Gary

Gary, I honestly believe you need to stay on the air during severe weather. I live south of Kingsville, and we have no basement or any kind of shelter to go to in a hurry. I need all the time I can get so I can decide what to do, and where to go. I remember living in Bates City in a mobile home park where there was insufficient shelter for everyone, and NO SIRENS to warn us. We just depended on you. Keep up the good work everyone-I'll be watching Thursday!!!!

Kimberley,

We will be watching your area closely.

Gary

Hi Gary - You know how I feel - I like more coverage than less. I do like the usage of software to insert a small live radar picture in the corner of the screen even when there is no continuous coverage. While it is not a large map, one can get the idea of intensity and direction. I hope you all may in future be able to utilize that technology. Working evenings, I don't often get to see your coverage, but what I saw of your new software with the BWER (bounded weak echo region) was fascinating, and if enough folks really understood its significance to the possible development of mesocyclones etc... they would appreciate having access to that as well.

As for Thursday, from what I have read, a squall-line is more probable, with uni-directional winds (those not changing much direction with height)- in addition, if we get socked in with stratus, we won't have that much heating. However, given the strength of the system progged, and the speed of winds aloft, even mid-60s F can provide plenty of fuel for severe weather. Also, we are still not going to know absolutely what may happen until the morning of the event, in my humble opinion. Also folks don't forget, squall-lines can and sometimes produce tornadoes, especially at the breaks in the line, or near short bows in the line, so stay with Gary L. (he'll keep you advised!!! ha, ha - kind of a private joke between you and me Gary, hope you follow me!!!)

Keep up the good work.

StormDog

Storm Dog,

I just visited with Gary England for 2 1/2 hours last week in Oklahoma.

Thanks for the nice comments. Thursday will be interesting.

Gary

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I grew up in central Missouri and I have seen first hand what a tornado can do. Frankly, severe weather scares me to death. I am always comforted watching the radar and seeing exactly where the storms are and how close they are to me. Keep breaking in and keep me informed. Reruns were invented for this very reason. Keep up the great work!

Tina,

Thank you for participating. Hopefully we will help you get through this season.

Gary

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Ok folks,

Here's a crude web page my webmaster put together on the fly with the links I use the most. We'll enahnce the page more in the next week or so if everyone wants.

I hope you all will find these helpful.

http://www.onlinesimulationsolutions.com/weather

Jeff,

Thanks for the links!

Gary

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Gary,

About your outlook about the month of May... It has me a little concerned, to say the least. Like, how active do you think this month is going to be? If you don't know the answer, that's okay, because we're still in March and all that, and May is still a bit far off. But like, by active, you don't mean like May 2003 (or 2004, can't exactly remember which) active? Because if that's the case, then like... That's scary. ^_^

But like, I'm only 16 years old, and I have like this extreme phobia of severe weather. Whenever a severe weather event is about to happen, I tune to KSHB first because you happen to be the most accurate. Last Sunday when we had the tornado outbreak, I think I had the shivers and shakes just from being so nervous about the whole ordeal. That, and it started WAY too early in the morning for my own comfort (and it lasted way too long, too :P). I also understand that we might get some bad weather this Thursday!! Should I be nervous about this? What exactly are the risks for these upcoming storm systems?

Sometimes I wish I could move somewhere else that doesn't get tornadoes like we do... But then I keep realizing that if I did, I wouldn't be able to watch your forecasts anymore. :(

But that's all for this post, sorry if it seems like I rambled on and on and on about everything. ^_^

Nicole,

Thank you for sharing. May will likely be active, but it doesn't mean that the tornadoes have to be here. They could be across western Kansas and Oklahoma. Maybe we get the tame thunderstorms.

Gary

Gary, there are two local channels I feel do the best job of covering these type events. Of course yours, and I won't mention the other, but you are very familiar with them! I was born and raised here so I know the extreme difficulty in trying to predict our weather, especially this time of year. You guys are in a NO win situation because of the fact our viewing area is so large, not to mention the scrutiny all weather forecasters are under in this day and age of instant gratification. I like your coverage, just use YOUR best judgement in severe outbreaks, it is impossible to please everyone. Keep up the good work! From Greg in Olathe.

Greg,

Thanks for the support.

Gary

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Gary, we live in Columbia and greatly appreciate your severe weather coverage. Our local stations just don't have your technology so we depend on you to know what is coming our direction. I don't understand how people can think that local programming is more important than saving people's lives in the event of a tornado. Thanks for all you and your weather team do to keep us warned during severe weather. Your coverage is priceless to us!

LINDSAY:
Thank you for your feedback. We are getting lots of comments, and are taking all of them to heart! Our ESP is truly the best storm tracking software out there today... and it really gives us an advantage. Thanks for watching!
Jamie

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I just feel lucky to live in a place where we can expect a blizzard one day and severe storms the next. From reading the blogs, there are a lot of people in rural areas with no sirens and depend on KSHB. As far as how to handle the coverage? I wouldn't change anything, but I do have a different take on it. It costs the station money to go live with no commercials, but on the other hand having good coverage keeps those viewers there even there is to weather to speak of. I would leave the coverage up to you.
I would like to see more promotions for affordable weather alert radios. In spring, there are people that go camping, hunting, fishing, gardening, etc. You can have the most excellent coverage in the world, but it won't do any good for those not sitting in front of the TV.
Gary B.

GARY:
You make some good points. I also believe a NOAA weather radio is one of the most valuable tools you can have when it comes to staying safe during severe weather. I have seen how they can help, firsthand! We appreciate your feedback!
Jamie

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Hi Gary,

Love the look of your on air graphics. You do a great job of presenting and updating what you think will happen. I think there needs to be a radically different look to your station while severe weather is threatening or is possible. Instead of keeping the Network or whatever feed you have, you need to break it up into three different kinds of graphics. I worked at a CBS Affiliate in Sioux City, Iowa and was never able to present what I thought needed to be done before I was let go from there..gotta love small market TV, but You need to split screen coverage. When there is a watch...you need to take to a different screen that still shows most of the screen with the TV program. The remainder of the screen needs to show the counties where the watch is, and a small radar screen or something.When warnings come into the region, while still leaving the feed on the bigger box, you then have a smaller box with the storms in question, leaving the audio with the TV. If it is serious and threatening the metro KC area, then you go full screen, because most viewers are there. If there is a tornado warning with a tornado on the ground, Full coverage. The challenge becomes educating everyone of the coverage area. I think adding a digital channel for cable customers is an excellent idea. That would allow for programming to be on another channel full screen and would make it easier for people. If you want more details, let me know. Keep up the great work!!

AARON:
Thank you for your feedback. Today will be interesting, as we track another round of severe storms.

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I agree with the many others that have commented that our safety is more important than knowing who's getting fired on the Apprentice. Sometimes the reports can be overkill but better safe than sorry. We just moved to the KC area from the Southeast North Carolina Coast and talk about weather report overkill. Getting constant hurricane reports for insignificant storms that are days away is overkill. Tornadoes are unpredictable and scary! Keep up the great reporting! We really appreciate it.

TARA:
Hey, thanks for the great comments! We hope you are feeling at home in KC, and that you will stay with us through severe weather season and beyond!
Jamie

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Gary, and the other fine members of the NBC weather team:

As I'm sure that you know how valuable your coverage of severe weather is to many of us in the rural areas, I want to remind you that although you may never hear about it, but what you are doing saves lives.

The complete coverage does detour many from the thoughts of 'going on about their business' and then get caught in a potetially life threatening situation.

For us in the north eastern part of the viewing area, we use your information as the standard. There have been times that we watched the tornado pass by within a very close range, and not have the sirens go off until after the storm had passed us by. Yet we knew what was going on because of the information that we had from your continuous broadcast.

Thanks for erring on the side of caution. We've benefited more from it than we can count.

Thank you for your hard work for us.

LESA:
Thank you for letting us know how you feel. We have had a flood of emails from people just like you. Today could put our cut-in policy to the test! We will not forget about those of you northeast of the Metro!
Jamie

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Gary,

I think you guys do an ourstanding job covering severe weather! KUDOS!

Paramount to regular progamming is protecting the people within your viewing area. There are MANY people who depend on your coverage and wait for you to signal the "all clear" before leaving their basements, lowest level inner-most room, etc. As a person who has always been terrified of thunderstorms, your coverage is essential! There's no one I trust more!

Also, please be mindful of the people who don't have/don't want cable television. Please don't leave us behind! There are far too many people in your viewing area who don't have access to or simply don't want cable (like me, don't need it!)! I value the lives of people in the rural communities just as much as the people in the metro... continue covering until your ENTIRE veiwing area is out of danger. It's the responsible thing to do.

By the way, chances are the people checking this blog are into weather. My guess is most of them are going to want to see coverage. Perhaps you should raise this question to your viewers. You might get a more unbiased response.

Thanks for listening... and thanks for asking. Just another way that KSHB is looking out for us!

Emily

EMILY:
Thanks for writing in with your comments! We have asked this very question on the air before. Most responses are from people who support the continuous coverage... but there are those that do not think it is necessary. We have received an overwhelming response from everyone on this topic, and are taking all the suggestions to heart. We like the idea of maybe broadcasting the shows we have to cover up... over on another channel. That is something we will look into, but don't worry... for those of you that don't have cable... we will keep the storm tracking on NBC Action News.
Jamie

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I would rather have weather coverage. And correct me if I am wrong, but I seem to re-call in the past that if programming is interrupted, or totally missed, that it is usually replayed in it's entirity.

For those that just can't miss their programming, a scrawl @ the bottom of the screen telling people when the programming will be repeated would probably satisfy most people. You can always mention that the programming will be repeated on air as well, for those that hate or can't read!

Also, the day of the big hail storms and tornadoes a couple weeks ago, of which my car and house were unfortunate hail victims, being a NASCAR fan I was tuned into FOX to watch the race, and I liked what they did, which was show the race in a quarter of the screen, and they then provided weather coverage in the other three quarters. I didn't really need to hear the race, but appreciated being able to see it and the weather situation @ the same time.

DANA:
Thank you for your comments, and for watching NBC Action Weather! We agree, the double-box approach is good... but it seems like it would only really work for a sporting event. It wouldn't work as good if we had a sitcom on or something like that. But we are looking at all options right now!
Thanks again!
Jamie