# Are weathermen checked for forecast accuracy? Have advances in technology improved the accuracy of w

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-weathermen-checked-for-forecast-accuracy-have-advances-in-technology-improved-the-accuracy-of-w/544371>\
**Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\
**Created:** [June 24, 2010, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-weathermen-checked-for-forecast-accuracy-have-advances-in-technology-improved-the-accuracy-of-w/544371 "2010-06-24T16:18:35Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![ryeman1234](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/50afbb/32.png) [@ryeman1234](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ryeman1234)\
**Post date:** [June 24, 2010, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-weathermen-checked-for-forecast-accuracy-have-advances-in-technology-improved-the-accuracy-of-w/544371/1 "2010-06-24T16:18:35Z")

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per the last line of the column…i was curious and found this…kinda sounds fun

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LINK TO COLUMN: [Are weathermen checked for forecast accuracy? Have advances in technology improved the accuracy of weather forecasting? - The Straight Dope](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2722/are-weathermen-checked-for-forecast-accuracy)

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**Author:** ![Keeve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f07891/32.png) [@Keeve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Keeve)\
**Post date:** [June 24, 2010, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-weathermen-checked-for-forecast-accuracy-have-advances-in-technology-improved-the-accuracy-of-w/544371/2 "2010-06-24T18:24:09Z")

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What are you talking about? The “last line of the column”, from what I can see, is

> [@](#):
>
> Your days as commissioner - in fact your days on this earth - could be over.

What does that have to do with advances in technology?

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**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\
**Post date:** [June 24, 2010, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-weathermen-checked-for-forecast-accuracy-have-advances-in-technology-improved-the-accuracy-of-w/544371/3 "2010-06-24T19:40:15Z")

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?  
The “last line of the column” is

> [@](#):
>
> let’s just say that when millions of meteorology fans start fielding lineups of weathermen in your online Fantasy Weather Forecast League, I’ll expect to see a cut of the sign-up fees.

.

Welcome to the Straight Dope Message Boards, **ryeman1234** , we’re glad to have you with us. When you start a thread, it’s helpful to provide a link to the column on which you’re commenting. Helps avoid confusion (like **Keeve** ’s) and cuts down on search time. No biggie, you’ll know for next time, I’ve added the link for you, and, as I say, welcome.

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**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\
**Post date:** [June 25, 2010, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-weathermen-checked-for-forecast-accuracy-have-advances-in-technology-improved-the-accuracy-of-w/544371/4 "2010-06-25T16:27:41Z")

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Are weathermen checked for forecast accuracy?

Sorta depends on who you define as “weathermen”. (And by “weathermen”, let’s agree we’re not talking about [these guys](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weather_Underground_%28organization%29). Let’s just call 'em “forecasters” for now. (Less sexist, at a minimum.)

My own background is U S military. Mostly associated with military meteorology. Not a meteorologist, but a data systems guy (computers and communications). So I can speak only from close and sustained observation, not actual practice.

In the military, there’s a strict organizational structure and (theoretically) a lot of attention to post-evaluation of actions and decision. Forecasting isn’t different. In any largish USAF military forecasting organization (for instance, at a regional or theater-level headquarters, usually with a echelon level of squadron), there is at least some staff which is responsible for statistical analysis of forecast accuracy. And within an operational team of forecasters, I think it’s the responsibility of team leadership to keep an informal eye on the quality of forecasts issued by their folks.