TheShrimper wrote:Who are the experts? Exclusively the ones that have "Pro Met" added under thier posting name? If you take that as gospel, you are quite mistaken. While they are compensated for thier knowledge dealing in the field of meteorology, that does not guarrantee that thier credentials should be carried over to areas they do NOT specialize in. Hey, I could be a respected, acclaimed and well compensated pediatrician, thats great but I don't think anyone wants me to be wielding the knife when a by-pass is in order. Nor do I want some "pro met" from Cutbank Montana, telling me that what he knows about tropical entities is undebatable. Over the past couple of years, they have proffessed "there is no chance at that happening", or "take this to the bank, this is what will transpire". If you posted over the past couple of tropical seasons you will remember the false claims that materialized, the claims that when debated after the fact sent some ( I won't mention names) into exile untill the clouds of humiliation dissapated. And that goes also for some from Miami-Dade County, who will continually put down anything that is posted from individuals that are not "accreditted". Do not read me wrong here, all views are welcomed, that's what makes the forum what is it is. But if spears are thrown, they should be able to be thrown from both sides without any repercussions. TheShrimper.
I am with you that no ones predictions should be taken as GOSPEL since the weather in general is so unpredictable by nature. This is shown by the general level of uncertainty and error in the most sophisticated computer models in the world as well as the best trained and qualified professionals at NOAA and the NHC. However, I have read almost every post on this board for four years and I think that some of the information that the Pro Mets have provided on this board has been excellent and has helped many of us gain a great deal of knowledge in the field of the tropical weather regardless of what their ultimate predictions may have been. Most of the time they are not claiming to be experts but do show a great deal of knowledge about tropical weather and seem to correct each other if they disagree. I would hate to discourage them from posting any and all of their input. They also are the first to answer anyone’s questions about general tropical issues and seem to have extensive knowledge of the tropics and have always helped me if I had a question about how something worked having to do with the general aspects of tropical weather and the science behind it. I would hate for any of them to feel they have to go into hiding because they made a wrong prediction. Lets face it if this happened to all of the “Pro Mets” in the media we would not have any weather man due to the amount of times they eat crow on whether or not it is going to rain or snow today.
As far as formation, path, and strength predictions most of the time I notice that their posts are typically substantiated by something other than IR Floater 1. I would like to thank them all for all of their input they have out into this board over the years and encourage them to post everything they can just as anyone else.
I hate to go off topic but I just wanted to voice my appreciation.
AGAIN THIS IS ONLY MY OPINION AND I STILL AGREE WITH YOU THAT NO ONES POSTS OR PREDICTIONS SHOULD BE DISCOURAGED OR IGNORED.