Comments on: There may be a wait for it, but snow is on the way (UPDATE 12:15 AM)

By: Ken in Marion 2415'

Ken in Marion 2415' — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 13:22:44 +0000

Back on subject. It’t still raining here but the temperature at my house is between 32 an 33 degrees. I think it might start earlier than predictions based on the temperature.

By: scott

scott — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 13:01:45 +0000

I don’t think anyone here truly believes Robin Reed and the WDBJ7 Weather Crew are a bunch of horned devils giving us the wrong forecast intentionally for one reason or another.

However, It does seem kind of irresponsible for a “rush-hour” impacting weather event to be conservatively forecast. My mom lives in the area and when I called her last night she was under the impression that it’s barely going to snow, because she saw the 5pm weather forecast that Brent Watts did on 7.

It is my opinion that with such a wide variety of possibilities in these kinds of events, that it would be more responsible to paint the entire picture for the public such as done here. There’s probabilities of certain amounts of snowfall on the low end, probabilities of snowfall on the high end, sort of similar to what HPC does with their 4+, 8+ and 12+ probability maps. There’s just something completely wrong when a lot of the models and maps were saying a foot and WDBJ was saying 1-3″, with nary a mention of the possibility of those numbers going up (which WDBJ finally did do. I saw a map at 5am this morning that was 3-6″.)

I know that’s a lot to ask for in a minor segment on a news program, but you know… they could at least pre-empt Andy Griffith in favor of coverage.

By: John

John — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 12:56:37 +0000

I remember hearing Robin Reed talk when I was in the 5th grade at Roanoke Catholic, he was a very cool guy to say the least. Sat on the floor and was super nice and down to earth not to mention knowledgeable. Always had a big fascination with weather from when I was a little kid and Robin definantly helped pique my curiosity in science and weather. Kudos to you, Robin.

By: Other John

Other John — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 12:52:41 +0000

I couldn’t call anyone a fraud over a blown forecast here or there, even if it is one that lives in infamy (before my time here though). Even the mets in the Hampton Roads area that I grew up in had some horrible busted forecasts. Once, the forecast was for flurries only, maybe a slightly measurable dusting of snow. After 10″, we got the flurries. I didn’t think any less of them for it, there was a totally unexpected atmospheric quirk that developed…one that I’ve only found happening 2-3 times down there in recent history…and only that one time to that degree.

The folks with the meteorology degrees and additional certifications have forgotten more about the practice of forecasting and the dynamics of weather systems than I’ll ever hope to know…and I’d venture to say that Kevin probably knows more about the weather than most of us. I’m a weather geek myself and had really hoped to become a meteorologist, before picking engineering since VT didn’t yet have a meteorology program. In some ways, I’m kind of glad I did that, because I can be a fan of the weather and not get overly analytical about it…and sit back and enjoy the curveballs and changeups that nature inevitably throws at us from time to time to keep us honest.

By: Ohiohoo

Ohiohoo — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 12:33:43 +0000

Bashing RR? He is the best you guys have down there. I visit a couple of times a year. The other guys are cartoons. (Not the guy that runs this blog). If everyone had Robin’s sense, then the schools wouldn’t have to close for 5 inches of wet, 31 degree snow before it happens! Insanity! Reed is terrific.

By: Doug G, SW ROA County, 1420 Ft

Doug G, SW ROA County, 1420 Ft — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 12:09:38 +0000

Tyler of the 2:41 comment. You are entitled to your opinion. But you are forgetting that WDBJ7 and Robin Reed were probably the most accurate source around for the January 26, 2011 tiny snowstorm. Actual snow total for ROA? 0.2 inches.
Most of the folks on this blog who predicted and also most of the models were saying at least 3 inches for Roanoke, with many predictions quite a bit higher. At least one commenter chastened WDBJ7 for a lowball forecast because the NWS came out with that strange Winter Storm Warning the day before. I suggest that you and the John of the 12:10 comment have a nice get-together today. At a nunnery.

By: DougF

DougF — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 12:07:20 +0000

Doug G So far my cat has not shown any strange or “crazy” behavior but last night around midnight when she played she did go hide in two places she hasn’t been in a long time. This morning she is normal, so at this point she has really not predicted any wintry weather in my opinion. This event apparently is giving her as much trouble as it is the forecasters!

By: Kevin Myatt

Kevin Myatt — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 12:04:32 +0000

Robin and I will probably have a good chuckle later about how he took over my blog for a while.

By: John Baldwin

John Baldwin — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 12:04:29 +0000

Just wanted to comment on Robin Reed and put my two cents worth in. First of all, Robin Reed is a class act. Sure he’s missed a few forecasts but when you’ve been doing them for 30+ years your going to get a few wrong. And think about how many other meteorologists have come and gone on the other stations in our area over that time (and some NOT so class acts). Yet Robin Reed remains steady with his calm demeanor.

Now, let’s get on with the snow! LOL.

By: ricky

ricky — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 11:58:15 +0000

Some of you need to sit back and take a chill pill for a little bit! I’m not sure what all of this bashing of Robin Reed from wdbj7 is for! Just because he isn’t anticipating higher accumulations that you think or you want to hear! If he nails the forcast..then he proves almost everybody on this blog wrong! And let’s be honest! Most of these systems especially this year have underperformed, with the exception of this last big rain maker! So if RR is wrong, then rejoice in the awesome snow! And stop the criticizing! If RR is right, then some of you need to apologize for the harsh remarks! Its weather! As agrivating as it can be, its simply weather, and this blog especially goes on the facts and throws out the possibilities!! Id rather hear the lower end and be surprised, than higher end and be mad! Just my 2 pennies!