***************
I don't need weatherate to tell me you are the best. You guys show it everyday.
Congrats on being #1 four years in a row.
-------------------------
Keri,

Thanks for being one of our biggest supporters!

Gary

********************
Gary and Team,
I tell people all the time that you all are the most accurate, and they all agree. great job!
also, Gary i have decided you need to start working on your weather theory papers. This is a huge discovery and could help forecasters every where!
have a great day, ryan
------------------------
Ryan,

If I can get some time off then I can start working on it. I plan on doing something this year!

Gary

*******************
Im very sorry i thought I would NEVER say this but.. HUGE MISTAKE!!!! We didnt need to know EXCATLY who was in 2,3,4 place. You DO know that this will spark a HUGE debate. Even with the other stations. Sorry Jeff, but that was the BIGGEST mistake ever in rating postings. And I thought this was 5YEARS not 4years in a row. 5 not 4. Isnt that correct? But on the bright side, good job....GREAT job. You should do a commerical showing how great you guys are at forecasting. I will look at the "other" blog and see what they have to say. Sorry if you think this is very rude, but it is sort of the truth.
----------------------
Alden,

Jeff wanted to do it and we thought that since they are the facts then let it be known! We can take the heat. It is not our opinion at all. Yes, we could take another approach. And, if any controversy comes from this we can defend it. There is really no debate. I understand your concerns. We will post all comments.

Gary

Gary and the weather team congrats. There shouldn't be any debate at all. Keep up the good work. As the winter is sliding away Gary will you do a summary of the winter? Also, what factors caused the decrease in snow in some areas and the increase in others? Was it expected? What surprised you? What surprised me were the lengths of cold days we had. Overall here in Topeka/Berryton the winter average is 41.67 for the high and 21.56 for the low. It has risen slightly because increase in temps and the warm December. Interesting to note though, many weather services predicted that Alaska and up through the northern part of Canada was going to be really warm because of the El-Nino, guess what, it was average to slightly below average. We have only two weeks till spring. I thought you might have heard that already but I wanted to share it with you. Keep up the good work. Michael Topeka/Berryton
-----------------------
Michael,

I hadn't seen that about the averages up there, but I am not surprised at all. This is the pattern that set up and as we said, El Nino would likely have an influence, but the overall pattern is what causes our weather.

Thanks for the supporting comments. And, I do plan on doing a summary of winter sometime soon. I may wait until the end of the month just in case winter has a finale.

Gary

**************
Great job everybody! This is why I watch you every night.

The website is looking better already. Just a few touch ups is all it took. A few more maps would be nice, but it is already good. I see the blog button is back:) I still hate the blog format. It is hard to look at, but I know you're working on it.

Last thing, I really don't mind that you posted station names, it is just the facts after all.

David
------------------------
David,

Thanks! The website will continue to improve over the next few days! And, I have a strong request in for the blog to at the very least go back to the cool look it had before the change.

Gary

***************
Quick question. On weatherate.com, where can you find the rating postings for throughout the weather rating season? I have always wanted to know where every station was during the season when you didn't have them posted. Just wondering. Also like in my last comment. You should do a commerical over this "great reward". But really, hasn't it been 5years since you were certified. I do remember in 2005 (or was it '04?) you having a commerical that said 3years. So it just figured.
-------------------------
Alden,

They had split it up into every 6 months that first year. But, now they just have one year at a time. It has been 4 years. Weatherate.com doesn't allow anyone to look at the ratings during the season unless you are at one of the television stations involved. And, what drives us a bit crazy is that at this moment we are tied. The new season began on March 1st. But, we feel good about today since we missed by 2 and most forecasts missed by 9 or even 10 degrees today. So, I am fairly confident that we have an early lead.

Gary

************
Congratulations seems such a small word to conotate what the KSHB weather team has accomplished in the world of weather forecasting which still seems to be closer to an art than a hard and fast science.

I'm not quite sure what Alden's problem is as keeping score and competition is what made this country so unique and great.

Bob
---------------
Bob,

I agree. Alden is just concerned because of the controversy this subject has caused in the past. Hopefully everyone will see this for what it is. Just the facts.

Gary

And remember..it ain't bragging if you can do it.

***********
Well well well...nothing feels better than shouting "SCOREBOARD!". Congrats team. This brings me to a question I have. How many features are included in your weather [ESP] package? Does it do temps/precip forecasts? If so, I am sure the other stations do as well. If that is the case, there could be an argument that this result is due to better software. Dunno. You all do a great job, no doubt..and I understand there is competition for viewership, and weather forecasting plays into that, but that is quite the sizable lead. To my own point, I would think if you took all the whizbang tools away, I still think you all would fair better. I think this result begins to illistrate the difference between weather reporters, weather software presenters, and weather forecasters as well as the technological advantages.

Nice job team.

One last question...do you all practice a bit with ESP on the Plus channel before broadcast? Seems I see you all play a bit more on the Plus channel with the features....what do ya think?
----------------------
Scott,

We have 3 1/2 minutes for weather on Weather Plus. But, without anchor tosses so this is a lot of time allowing us to experiment on our Weather Plus channel.

Everyone has basically the same equipment and computer technology. There are some advantages that each station may be able to claim. But, the one advantage we have is our forecasting. And, it is NOT the equipment or technology that separates us! It is the human factor. We all look at the same data. And this advantage should be the most important, don't you think?

Gary

****************
Wow you guys are great.And congratulations on being the first for 4 years! You guys were almost perfect on the forecast high today. It was really nice. I wish that it would stay warm for a while.(not that I would not like one more snow) But I think at least for us south of the city, our snow season is over.
-------------------
Brent,

We at least saw some snowflakes Saturday. This pattern may still have something up its sleeve before it is too late?

Thanks for the compliments.
Gary

*****************
Your question begs a return question, Gary...do you all look at the same data? I doubt you all do. There are many places to review data with different visuals and model/software interpretations, even before the second interepretation from the meteorlogist. For example, maybe you prefer the UNISYS products, and maybe I prefer NCEP. Granted, they both are trying to show the same thing, but you would agree..they look different and could be interpreted differently.

This brings me to why I asked the first question...how many layers of interpetation exist between raw tabular data and the forecast? Knowing you all can read the tabular, I doubt there is much intermediate loss of interpretation..but what about the others? Also..if you use raw data for all your forecasts, do you manually calculate surface temps from converting 850 temps or 500 heights?

Point is...I don't think everyone uses the same data. That is your advantage. Additonally, more in your advantage, you can eliminate alot of intermediate massaging of the data by computer software since you can read raw/tabular. And..to add insult to injury...you have the LRC. So, its no suprise that you lead the others, but the question begs to be asked...what other than pure forecasting contributes to the huge gap? As much as they want to figure this out, you should to...if not for any other reason but to protect the lead and continue to steal viewers...

[I learned alot from the media piece of the seminar]
-------------------------
Scott,

But it is the"pure forecasting" that creates the huge gap. We look at some raw data, but mostly we utilize the computer programs and output from the models. We look at the ECMWF, NAM, NGM, GFS, UKMET, CANADIAN, and other models. We are always looking at this data and analyze all day and night. So, this is likely one thing that is to our advantage as we are sort of obsessed with it. When it comes time to forecasting the next days high temperature though it is hard to explain. Since we look at it all day we are prepared to make a call one way or the other at the last second. This often happens.

Last night was not easy to stick with 63 degrees for the high. Every other forecast was still in the 50s. The MOS products were all in the 50s. In the end I called Jeff Penner and Jeremy Nelson and we discussed this together. We decided that since the front wasn't going to come through until 4 PM or so that we would maximize the heating potential and we decided to stick with our very aggressive 63 degrees. And, it paid off. But, I know I have said this before. As soon as you think you are on a roll, it will get you. The next two days are very challenging.

Gary

**************
Hey Gary and weather team congrats on being #1! You guys are always the best in my book!

Rachel K. :)
--------------------
Rachel,

Thank you! The next two days will be tough to get within 3 degrees.

Gary

This may be my 3rd time posting today ,(A. the blog is fantastic, and B. It's too adcitve.) I do most of the time read other peoples comments and I did just now and feel a bit outraged. I am NOT too "concerened" about all of the "controversy this has caused in the past". That's one forecast that you were way off by. I really dont want to spark a "debate" at all. I know I may be over reacting tonight but really. I dont have a "problem" with the score keeping thing at all. I'm just a person who's always wondering. Gary, I'm sorry for all of the trouble this says, and that you are simply making a point (you too Bob), but it seems to me too that you've gone crazy that you are tied (Question: if 2stations are tied at the end of the season, who gets the seal for most accurate? If that can happen).

So, I'll leave you off with a GOOD note. Just keep up the work. Please dont seem like I'm throwing some type of tanturm because I feel outraged. Stuff like that hits me hard and I'll sometimes let an "Evil" side of me take over. So again, Sorry. Besides the station you are tied with will more likely fall behind you in a matter of hours (10PM show). Just keep up the work for what you are doing now. Again, sorry for all of this mess. And I have a hint too to help you with forecasting. Ingore all the other stations as if they dont exist and as if you're the only one. Then, I have found for me, it seems that the result can come out better, and you'll do better (no im NOT saying you do a bad job.) Of course you may do this already. For the final time I am sorry for this sort of temper. I do over react A LOT now.
-------------------------
Alden,

Now you are making us laugh! Don't take it personally you are making some good points. But, the only reason we are tied right now at the beginning of the 5th year is that it is nothing to nothing. So, everyone has a chance to win. And, it is scary, but we have some control as we will just continue doing what we do and making the best forecast possible.

Gary

*******************
Gary, Jeff, Jeremy and Brett, congratulations! And as far as posting the other stations, thank you. I mean, now I definitely know who to avoid watching! As far as stirring up any controversy, hey, like you said: (1) it's an unbiased third party, (2) it's factual and (3) you guys can defend yourselves.

Keep up the great work and see what you can do to produce at least one more snow event!
-------------------
Jay,

Thanks for the kind comments. We are losing time on our winter potential. It is very cold just north of here, but no storm system to help out.

Gary

*************
Gary and Team,

We didn't need an organization to tell us what we already knew - that KSHB 41 is the best in the weather world!

Now, if we could just get DirecTV to pick up WeatherPlus, we'd be in weather heaven!

Congrats on the win, it is much deserved!

Mike and Jenn
------------------------
Mike and Jenn,

Thanks! I am not sure what we need to do to get WeatherPlus on DirecTV. Maybe someday soon.

Gary

**************
Gary, you have been other places as well...I suspect you could indicate if they had the passion or ability to read the models. Knowing you, you won't commit either way, so based on that..I have to accept you last response that it is pure skill. That said, I still contend model intrepetation between products factors in..but that is just my opinion.

Maybe if tomorrow is slow, I might bring up the topic of spotting and the triangle spotters fill between the media and the NWS. Thoughts?
-------------------
Scott,

Ask this tomorrow or Wednesday. Most meteorologists have a tough time making an instant call after looking at the models. And, I make mistakes all of the time when doing this. But, often it is important as the 10 PM newscast comes on. We are making adjustments right now for the next four very difficult days of forecasting of highs and lows.

Gary

**************
Congrats, guys... still holding on to that first place spot!

Hey, where is streaming weather plus on your website??? I can't find it anymore! Help!
-------------------
Sara,

It will be streaming again soon. Sometime this week.

Gary

*************
I have DirecTV on HDTV and WeatherPlus is on 41-2. You might not even need HDTV... you might just need an antenna. I have never tried on my other TV's but I would guess it might be because I have an antenna and HD on my big TV.
----------------------
Brian,

Thanks for the information!

Gary

*************
Congratulations for being the best. I just want to know who is heavysnow on the other blog. Man he is hilarious.
------------------------
Daniel,

I am not sure, and I don't want to look.

Gary

************
Wow! You guys must be butter, because your on a roll!;) I think that it is great that you are showing the stats that a third party is giving out as accuracy ratings! I don't see anything wrong with that, I may have said this before, maybe not, but your forecasting accuracy is a force of nature in of itself!!!
It's almost like you ARE the weather sometimes!
Today with the light winds and near 60 degree weather here in St. Joe it certainly felt like spring has returned, the only thing that I don't like about this time of year and the late fall time frame is that typically in the morning you have to wear a heavy coat but then in the afternoon it is way to warm for it and it becomes just another thing you have to carry around, so if it is going to go spring on us it might as well go all the way!
Thanks for your time.
Nick in St. Joe!
------------
Nick,

Thanks! I agree. Let's warm up even more, but March will have some surprises for us.

Gary

***********
great job! since my brother is a meteorologist himself, I am really into watching the weather. I always watch your forcast because it is always the most accurate!!! Congrats to all of you.
----------------
Kristy,

Thank you for noticing and watching! We have a lot of pride in our forecasts, but there are days that will humble you. This week is going to be a challenge.

Gary

***********
Gary,

I say this with all respect and dont mean to offend but this system you have measuring success is not levely played, the bottom 2 other stations don't forecast exclusively for KCI like your station does and they admit they forecast for areas like downtown and suburbs and the range of temperatures for the metro. You can brainwash some of these bloggers and your fans, and I respect your forecasting ability tons and like you for many things, But I'm not going to fall for this cheap tactic.

Ken
-----------------
Ken,

I don't know if this will surprise you or not. But we don't forecast for KCI. We forecast for the entire metro area. Weatherate.com does use KCI for their verification site. Some place must be picked. There are national forecasting contests that use one specific site. They can say this as an excuse. But, to us that's what it is. There is nothing cheap about this result at all. We will take the test for any verification site chosen.

Gary

***********
41 team:

Enough of that bragging! Why would your station pay that company for those results? This clearly seems rigged, for Jeff Penner to even think this is a level playing field like another sport is obsurd! I was told by a friend about your station and really enjoyed it the last few months, but I'm doubting I will watch you now after this!

Wayne
-------------------
Wayne,

It doesn't matter if we pay them or not! It makes no difference whatsoevever. These are the facts. There is no games being played. It is completely an even playing field. All you have to do is keep track of it yourself and then you will see the difference is huge. How does it seem rigged to you? Anyway all I can say is that it absolutely isn't. It is truly, as Jeff says, like sports standings. Weatherate.com tracks television stations accuracy and it is as simple as that.

We don't win every week but if it were like a Chiefs season it would be like we are 14-2 or if each week were a game we would be something like 42-10 if you count all 52 weeks of the year. Would you keep watching the Chiefs? Everyone is tied right now as the new season begins. You will notice the difference most weeks. It is there for everyone to see.

And, if you watch the other stations promos, that is bragging and based on what, their own opinion? We are only laying down the facts.

Gary

************
Gary,

Would you sometime post what the stations in Topeka and Wichita and others around the area are doing in this weatherrate? I'd be curious to see.
---------------------
Jon,

It is not our responsibility to do this. It is up to that market to decide whether to show the numbers or not.

Gary

*******
To the team, congrats on what should not be a surprise to anybody! Keep up the good work. We moved here two and a half years ago and the weather is certainly different than what I'm used to. It didn't take long to figure out where I should go to know what I need to know when planning or being concerned with severe weather. Thanks again!
---------------
Matt,

Thank you very much! And welcome to Kansas City. I am sure you have experienced how crazy our weather can be in your 2 1/2 years here. It is challenging.

Gary

***********
I forgot to add something about the web. Can you return to the previous font (it may have been arial)? The old one looks much better ... at least in my opinion.
--------------
Matt,

We have font changes all of the time with our weather graphics. It happens about once every two to three years. At first it looks strange, but then you get used to it. I haven't really noticed a huge difference. I will send your comment over to our webmaster though.

Gary

*********
Congrats Weather Team!!!

Personally I'm glad Jeff posted what he did and how he did it. I was always curious of where the other stations fell.

I don't look at it as bragging. ALL of you should feel very proud of your accomplishments.

One other thing you sure could "brag" about is at least ALL of you do interact on the weather blog. You answer pretty much every comment, good bad and in between. You make this place interesting and I've learned alot just by coming and reading. This doesn't happen on other weather blogs.

You boys are the best!!!Congrats again!

************

Donna,

Thanks for your comments. Jeff's knowledge and experience about all weather situations is superior. He is a huge part of the weather team!

Everyday is a new forecast day so we can never sit back and relax. Each and every forecast is important to someone across the viewing area. We are glad you make our blog part of your day.

Jeremy

*********
Gary...good work on the ratings....and I like the new site, but you HAVE to get rid of that talking IPOD add....so annoying.

*********

Chris,

We'll pass along your website feedback to the webmaster/sales.

Thanks for the positive feedback on the forecasting numbers. I can assure you...Weather Rate or not...we are clearly number one. I always keep track of all forecasts in town as I did at my previous job. I'm glad to be part of the leading weather team in Kansas City and I look forward to helping us remain number one.

Jeremy

**********
Isn't it true you pay weatherrate to do this? Ive heard on another local news station blog fox 4 that you pay them and thats why you guys are always number one. Also you all forecast for the airport thats where no one lives. While no other local news station does that in KC. According to them! Since you pay for this of course you'll be number one. I just dont think its right.
--------------
Michael,

We must make this clear. Weatherate.com has no vested interest in any television station. They simply take the forecasts from each television station in every market. And, they put the numbers into their formulas and then the results come out. In most markets the stations are so close that no one will pay for the use of the Weatherate.com seal as the most accurate because the next year they may not be #1 and their promotion can backfire. Our promotion department decided to pay for the use of this independent company's numbers, although I don't think that we need to. But, this has absolutely no influence on the actual data. As I said we are all even again as the new season has started. In 6 weeks we will see the first results of this new year. Any of our competitors could be ahead of us at that time. In each contest when that first preliminary release of those 6 weeks of forecast numbers has come out we have taken the big lead. We work hard every day to prove this to you. Just keep track of it yourself if you want. There is nothing cheap, paid for, or suspicious about this. These are simply the facts and this is why it shouldn't create such a controversy. But, I understand at the same time why it does.

Gary

**********
I'd love to watch TV more often but I can't with all the crazy stuff going on with my life, so I've been relying on the blog from you, the weather team, to update me on the forecast. Yesterday I used the phone to check the forecast (and I didn't know what the source is) and it said the high would be in upper 40s only. Shame on them!

**********

Ivan,

Thanks for keeping our site on your favorites list! I don't know the source of your forecast, but I do know when I worked on Sunday we had a forecast high of 63 for Monday, when everyone else was in the 40s to 50s! The high on Monday was 65 at KCI & 66 Downtown. While not perfect, I was pleased with how the forecast worked out.

Thanks for your comments!

Jeremy

*********
Gary and the weather team-
Congratulations on being #1 in Kansas City and in the nation. I always knew you were the best and tell everybody I know that you guys are. I always tell them to watch NBC action weather because I know you guys will tell it like it's REALLY going to be. What did surprise me though on the ratings was to see that channel 9 came in 2nd.
To change the subject, do you ever need volunteers to help with the pet telethon? Also, is there a severe weather spotter training scheduled for around the Olathe, Overland Park, Leawood area any time soon?

Susy

**********

Susy,

Thanks for watching and blogging! We appreciate the feedback.

Below is the list of spotter classes that remain. Hopefully you can attend one...they are great for beginners and advanced weather buffs.

http://www.crh.noaa.gov/eax/?n=outreach-schedule

Jeremy

*****************
why are we talking ratings who does better if we dididnt belive in you gary we wouldnt be here i just want here about the weather and what it is going to do when the next storm how strong and about the one after that talk about weather period
------------------
John,

I will be blogging about the up coming changes later today. A lot of bloggers have wondered what the final ratings were so we posted them.

An interesting thunderstorm potential does exist for Friday and we will talk about it this afternoon.

Gary

***************
I don't know if anyone else has suggested this, but you should post this on billboards. I just don't think enough people are aware of the significant difference b/t you and the competition.
-----------------
Jeff,

I have been trying to get our promotions department to do this for years, even before weatherate.com came into existence. I think it would be an eye opening billboard. I may send your statement to our boss.

Thanks for the kind words.

Gary

*************
Gary and Team, I used to work at a place that posted everyones performance levels for all to see. For some it had negative effects, for others it made us strive for improvement. So perhaps those at the bottom of the ratings could see this as a wake-up call and try to figure out why they are not at the top. And those already there can do the Woo Hoo topsy dance and press on. Good luck on this weeks tricky weather. I'll maintain a rigid state of flexibility if you don't come as close as usual, at least we know this week is tricksy. I don't think the other stations admit when forcasting has it's difficult moments, that's what makes ya'll the best.
--------------------
Jim,

Thanks. The competition has known this for years already. We are all trying to be the most accurate. So, we welcome the challenge.

Gary

**************
You know, I have told my husband time and time again that you've been #1 for 4 years in a row but now I have PROOF. Keep up the GREAT WORK!
---------------------
Shannon,

Thank you! Spread the word! Have a great day!!!

Gary

*********
Gary and company,
First of all, I love the ability to sign up for the weather alerts. When it's a 35-minute ride home or you have plans, it's nice to have so you don't get caught in anything severe.
However, I did notice that there was an issue with trying to sign up for the weather alerts. I was able to sign in. However, on the second page, where I went to add the type of advisories I wanted, I was not able to do so. Step 2 (the type of advisory) did not have anything listed. Hence, I couldn't add some things to steps 3 and 4.
Thanks.
-----------------
Matt,

I will look into this once I get to work.

Gary

**************
This is pretty much bull """"". Station News Directors don't want meteorologists putting rainfall totals and forecasting for ONE site. It is all about being hyperlocal and forecasting for an entire viewing area. You know, KC got 21" of snow like you said. It is so funny how you guys list like 5 scenarios for each storm and then when one happens you say "yep, just like we said." I hate braggers. Congrats on paying for this "title." But when you are in 4th place in the ratings, does it mean anything?
-----------------
Josh,

It really is what it is. We will only say we got it right when we did get it right. We don't stretch the data and pick and choose. And we admit it when we are wrong. These are simply the facts. NBC Action News has made tremendous strides in the past few years. We may be in third place at 10 PM, but we have the team to make more ground in the coming years. We are doing our best and one thing we have that is the best is our accurate forecast. There is no denying this at all.

Gary

*************
Gary, do any other stations anywhere in the country use the LRC in their forecasts? If they do, are you credited for it?
----------------
Teresa,

There are some meteorologists beginning to use it. Doug Heady down in the Joplin market has been issuing month long forecasts the past two years and getting them right. The local newspaper has now done two articles on it and he has called it the LRC.

Gary

*********
I was going to say "unbelievable" in response to some of those comments, however, everyone is entitled to their opinion. I mean, you called for a storm on Feb. 25 like two months out! And you were the first ones to forecast on that Thursday a few weeks ago that the following Tuesday would be in the 50s or 60s. And it seems pretty apparent to me that you guys are the most passionate weather team in KC just by visiting each stations website and reading their blogs. And if NBC just had better shows on before the 10pm news, you'd be #1. Your problem isn't with the news team/staff, it's with the network and its programming! You need some of those CSI shows or something. ;-)

**********

Jay,

You are right on the money with those comments. Hopefully NBC national turns things around quick! Another good example of a forecast difference is this past Monday. On SUNDAY we were forecasting 63 for Monday and the highest any other station was going was 58. Thanks for your comments!

Jeremy