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From: Jesse Ferrell (WeatherMatrix) (ferrell{at}weathermatrix.net)
Date: Fri Jan 21 2005 - 21:32:28 EST
Personally, I don't think this was as much the meteorologists' fault as
portrayed. I saw a similar situation turn roads unexpectedly to ice here
last winter. I believe it has something to do with the type of snow, the
particular road conditions and the low temperatures.
Here is the news story:
FULL STORY:
http://apnews.excite.com/article/20050121/D87OKIHG0.html
QUOTES:
"Winter weather crippled traffic from Ohio to North Carolina on Friday, as
snow and ice led to more than 1,000 accidents and stranded 3,000 students
in Raleigh, N.C., classrooms overnight.
While a TV weatherman hung his head in shame - telling viewers his forecast
of a mere dusting was "embarrassing" - the mayor vented at meteorologists
for leaving Raleigh unprepared for Wednesday's storm. Residents -
particularly those who have lived in other parts of the country - couldn't
believe the city was brought to its knees by just an inch of snow.
When the dry snow hit already-frigid streets at midday, it turned to ice as
schools and businesses scrambled to close early. That sent thousands of
cars onto the roads before salt trucks could treat the pavement.
Police handled more than 1,000 accidents, none fatal, and some people were
caught in traffic jams that left them on the roads for more than eight
hours. Buses were unable to take children home from school, stranding the
students in their classrooms with their teachers overnight. Some motorists
who could not get home bunked with others in office buildings and even
grocery stores.
"This is embarrassing for my profession," a contrite WRAL-TV chief
meteorologist Greg Fishel told viewers during the height of the chaos. "In
the 24 years I've lived here, I have never encountered the traffic
situation I saw today." But he was not alone. None of the television
meteorologists made the right call..."
--
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Jesse Ferrell - Meteorologist / Webmaster / Founder - WeatherMatrix
9000 Weather Enthusiasts Can't Be Wrong! www.weathermatrix.net
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