Weather: It's all we talk about
By Sylvie Edwards | Next to politics and the economy, we talk about weather a lot. Where do you stand on weather?
By Sylvie Edwards for Sankarsingh-Gonsalves Productions
We LOVE to talk about weather, good or bad. It is often the thing that will start a conversation with someone. In fact, we have been doing this as long as there have been humans. As far as 650 BC the Babylonians predicted weather based on cloud patterns, while in 350 BC Aristotle (yes that one) introduced the term “meteorologica” describing weather patterns. The weather even made it into the bible (New Testament) and Jesus (yes that one) referred to events using interpretations of patterns from the sky. Who knew Jesus to be a weather forecaster?
To give some additional context, John Jeffries is considered to have been the very first named weatherman as he began daily weather observations in Boston in 1774. The introduction of the telegraph in 1835 ushered in the modern age of weather forecasting. Reporting this way allowed for establishing wider and better movements leading to more accurate predictions.
The first ever televised weather forecasts showing weather maps which included jet streams and cloud coverage came in 1936 on the BBC. Who can blame the British for having so many days with rain and cloud cover? It led to larger sales of umbrellas – yes it had an economic impact.
Bringing it closer to home, Canada founded its meteorological service on May 1st, 1871. Daily weather reports became the norm and have been documented and tracked since. This is how we can see if records have been broken or how we faired against previous years.
Everything around weather has been shaping our lives for some time. Did you know that broadcasters have figured out that weather reporting is the main reason people tune into the news? It is for this reason that some newscasts will often start with a glimpse of the weather and highlight it at least four (4) times during an hour. Four touchpoints on weather seems to be the norm. Weather is also the reason a lot of news programs have stopped doing social interest stories in lieu of more weather-related stories while the end of the show weather recap is a fan favorite.
The development of computer capacity to handle the enormous size of data from models helped weather forecasting evolve from pure regionalized observations and deduction to sophisticated, computer generated analysis. Models are now designed to provide closer views of a period to come to provide a chance to plan around these events. We even have “accuweather” which claims to give you minute-by-minute forecasts over the next two (2) hours. We have a dedicated weather channel running forecasts 24 x 7.
There are many factors to consider in producing a forecast and while better than the farmers standing at the edge of their fields predicting based on cows "mooing" or from the look of wheat bending in the wind, forecasts can and will go wrong. Who has not blamed the weatherman for harsh weather that ruined their picnic?
You may be asking – but Sylvie why talk about the weather? Well, a trip at my mom’s has just made it clear that some people clearly are obsessed by weather. Nothing against my mom, but there are more reasons to turn on the television than to see the weather predictions. I know everyone talks about it, seems redundant. I just needed to voice it or in this case, write it.
What I wanted to highlight are the shifts or changes in weather we have been experiencing. I used to love summer but now summer is being taken over, it seems, by floods, wildfires, and humidity (oh gosh so much humidity). Call me old but I remember the days when I could spend an entire day outside without burning to a crisp. These days, I spend an hour or less outside and if I do not wear 50 SPF protection, I turn into a walking lobster.
Most people have a preferred season usually related to the weather experience it provides. In recent years (according to a 2023 poll) people’s favorite season has switched to fall, as it is more enjoyable than summer or spring when people think there is too much grey left over from winter or rain making it gloomy.
Like hairstyles, no one usually wants the weather they are experiencing where they are. Someone always has something to complain about and the weather can often be at the top of the list. I personally attempted a few years ago to search for a place on Earth where I would find my “perfect” weather. Wouldn't it be nice to live there, I thought.
Well folks, there is no such place. No perfect 24C weather, clear skies, slight breeze, low to no humidity and insignificant amounts of nightly rain. I believe that even if it existed, it would also be changing. What’s the point in moving there if it’s to complain about the new location?
My conclusion, weather is what it is, crying or swearing over it does not do much, but weather forecasts are needed, even if flawed, if for nothing else alert us of potential issues protecting lives and property. Next time someone asks you about the weather tell them – it’s going to pass.
About the author: Sylvie Edwards has been involved in Project Management in several industries for more than 25 years, overseeing projects in the IT, Banking, Health, Government and Securities sectors. She is a post secondary #educator assisting hundreds of potential PMP® achieve their certification, and a blogger on all things related to #projectmanagement. Sylvie is a two term past President and current member on the board of directors for the PMI-DHC (Project Management Institute- Durham Highlands Chapter). She had the honour of being named Fellow of the Project Management Association of Canada (FPMAC).
