MetEd/NorLatMet: MetEd's Northern Latitude Meteorology Community

Broadening your Horizons as Station Scientist

As weathercasters and broadcast meteorologists, you have long enjoyed an unofficial status as the "science experts" of the newsroom. This is natural, considering your science backgrounds and the fact that you routinely convey complex scientific information about the earth and atmosphere to your viewers.

A logical extension of this role can be seen in the current industry trend for the weathercaster/broadcast met role to evolve into that of "station scientist." In many markets, weathercasts now include reporting on other environmental topics that are relevant to people's daily lives. These topics may vary from local to global issues and give you the unique opportunity to go beyond the forecast.

The AMS's new Certified Broadcast Meteorologist (CBM) Program is one means of acknowledging this new, broader role, and heightened levels of expectations. The following links provide more informaiton about this program and the new station scientist roles we're starting to see on stations across the country.

• New AMS Station Scientist Website
• AMS CBM Study Guide
• Ron McPherson: New Initiative in AMS Continuing Education
• Barbara Cochran: New Role For Weathercasters?

Focus on Water Pollution & Water Quality

Water quality is becoming an increasingly prominent issue in the news. The following links will help you understand this issue and find ways to integrate it into your weather segment:

Adopt your watershed

To encourage stewardship of the nation's water resources, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is leading an "Adopt Your Watershed" campaign. Through this effort, EPA challenges citizens and organizations to join us and others who are working to protect and restore our valuable rivers, streams, wetlands, lakes, ground water, and estuaries. This website includes information on how citizens can get involved in watershed protection activities in their own communities.

After the Storm Weather Channel video

This special half hour video segment that was produced by EPA and The Weather Channel. EPA now owns full rights to the special and can provide high quality Beta SP Copies to television stations interested in airing the program.

Beach water quality

Beaches are a place to play, watch wildlife, fish, and swim. With beaches giving us so much, we have to protect them from a variety of potential problems. This site can help your viewers plan a trip to the beach, learn about beaches and the issues around them, and understand how we protect beaches.

Fish advisories

Fish are a lean, low-calorie source of protein. However, some fish may contain chemicals that could pose health risks. When contaminant levels are unsafe, consumption advisories may recommend that people limit or avoid eating certain species of fish caught in certain places. This website offers valuable information about federal, state and local fish consumption advisories, including latest FDA and EPA consumption advice on mercury in fish and shellfish.

Local drinking water information

Provides searchable national map with information about drinking water Consumer Confidence Reports. Utilities are required under the Safe Drinking Water Act to provide these reports to their customers to inform them about the source and quality of their local drinking water.

What you can do to prevent water pollution

information that individuals can use at home or work to protect the environment and themselves. Realistic "how to" and "what to" lists starting with water then moving to other areas.

In addition to the above resources, the COMET Program is collaborating with NEETF and the EPA Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds to develop a series of online learning modules on watersheds especially designed for weathercasters and broadcast meteorologists as part of NEETF's Eyes on the Environment initiative. These modules will be available on the MetEd Website. Learn more about this project.

Public Safety

Public safety has always been an important area of responsibility for weathercasters and broadcast meteorologists. The following information sources will help support your public safety outreach activities.

• Avalanche Awareness
• Lightning Safety (NOAA)
• Low Water Crossing
• Rip Currents
• Severe Weather
• Standard Messages
• Thin Ice
• Turn Around Don't Drown
• U.S. Hazards Assessment
• UV Index
• Winter Weather

Your comments on this page and its contents are always welcome.

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