I didn't tune in to WDEL so I can't comment on yesterday's coverage, but heard a bit on WILM and they did have weather updates from the National Weather Service, local news, and closings. DX, that is essentially what WDEL did, just WILM uses the forecast from the weather bureau rather than a paid service. Same forecast other than the amounts predicted might differ (sometimes WDEL's amounts are correct, other times WILM's are). Granted WILM didn't have the live chit chat with a real forecaster as WDEL did with the accu weather person, but my experience with the live chats that Peter MacArthur (sp) has with his accuweather person during morning drive is you get little to no real info as they chat and after ward Peter ends up saying the real forecast. So it sounds, to my ear, more like a clever gimmic. I did see Gov. Markell on Fox 29 last night for their 10 or 11pm report (don't remember which it was). It was filmed earlier as it was daylight where ever the interview took place.
I agree with DX that the wall to wall coverage of showing the reporter freezing outside in Claymont DE, or Upper Darby, or along the Black Horse or is it the White Horse Pike telling you how bad it is gets old very quickly. Last night, the Channel 3 weather lady at Ocean City NJ made a snow angel live, so I'd have to say that those Philly TV personalities were trying to fill time and make some light hearted stuff on air. The idea of trying to "lighten up" the situation a bit, as Spencer Graves apparently did telling you how to make a perfect snowball and playing summer music isn't a bad idea. As DX said, that can be a balm to help folks cope a bit. I'd have probably used some sound effects of the ocean surf, sea galls and add the summer music, talking about digging your feet in the sand, and smelling the smells of salt air, sun screen, and the boardwalk fries, etc. Sort of reminding folks of those hot days at Rehoboth Beach, etc. A radio escape that might take their minds off of the blizzard that is roaring outside and get them thinking about something more pleasant for a few moments. I'd say Spencer had the right idea.
Essentially all I want to know is how much snow will the Wilmington area get (since I live there) and when will the snow stop falling, and if my place or my wife's place of employment are closed (so I won't have to go out in the weather to get to work or to take her to work). Of course Philly TV offers none of that sort of coverage for Wilmington, so that's where both WDEL and WILM become very important.
My wife had WJBR-FM on yesterday morning and even they offered local news/weather/closings coverage. Did any of the other Wilmington area FM's like WSTW, WXCY (Havre de Grace), WJKS, or Dover's WDSD offer info for the Wilmington area?
One thing about WDEL's accuweather forecasts that seem suspiciously like the forecast is intended for a Philly radio station rather than a Wilmington radio station, is the pre-recorded accuweather person, be it Heather Zare (sp), or the others always say "the city", never Wilmington. Areas south and west of the city will see more areas of snow, etc. Sounds like a Philly forecast from Philly TV that I heard so much during the past few days. My guess is if I tuned into a Philly radio station that has accuweather, I'd hear the exact same forecast as what I hear on WDEL.
As I learned back during my days at WILM with "Metro Weather" ( I wish WDEL or WILM had metroweather) was they did seem to know that even though Wilmington is only about 25 miles south of Philly, quite often our weather, especially snow amounts, will differ from Philly (possibly due to the C & D canal, etc) who knows, or we'd get rain and Philly would get snow, or Philly would get rain and we'd get snow, etc, but it is different and should be noted. We aren't Philly or a Philly suburb and oddly enough our weather quite often is different than Philly's.
That's one thing that amazes me, places like Christiana Mall and Concord Mall and many other businesses and companies will stay open until the Governor says that only emergency personnel are allowed on the roads. Then those poor employees have to try to get home when the roads are truly dangerous. There is nothing of importance at the malls. They should be required to close after x amount of inches of snow falls so that all those employees aren't forced to be at the mall so some smuck can go buy a latte or a dress. However, that sort of bill would never get passed in the Legislature.
