Exercise Caution

By Norm Dvoskin

Why are TV Meteorologists always telling people what to do? "The roads are extremely hazardous... be sure to exercise caution!" "There will be scattered showers today so keep your umbrella handy." I expect a few afternoon thunderstorms. "Keep your eye on the sky." Actually, this could be quite dangerous when driving. "It’s hot and sticky today. Make sure you drink plenty of liquids." Think about it--drinking solids could be very uncomfortable. I once tried to drink a steak and almost choked. Where does it end? Perhaps we should also provide marital advice and tips on dieting?

If I say, "It’s minus 20 degrees and the wind is 35 miles an hour" and you want to stroll outside in your underwear, that’s your business. My job is to tell people about the weather, not tell them how to run their lives. I always give the viewing public credit for making the correct weather related decision once they’ve heard the forecast. They don’t need advice from a meteorologist. Most of us aren’t that smart.

Telling people what to do may also get me into trouble. Let’s say, it’s a miserable Saturday night, it’s cold and nasty and the roads are slippery. I could say something like, "Stay home tonight, it’s dangerous just being outdoors." The viewer now cancels his restaurant reservation and stays home to watch a TV movie. The owner of the establishment loses money, has to lay off his staff and possibly close his doors. Could I be sued?

Suppose July 4^th is near and I predict a miserable weekend. I tell people that "they’re better off if they stay home and read a book or go shopping." Based on my suggestion, the viewers now change their plans to go to the East End. Would I get a lawyer’s letter from Gurney’s? Suppose my forecast was incorrect, (it’s hard to believe this could happen). Now both sides would be mad at me.

My advice to meteorologists: Stick to the weather.