Your Weather Website: Creating, Maintaining, and Improving

Traditional media outlets are increasingly seeing the web as a potent means of distributing weather information. Forecasts and other weather data have proven to be enormously popular, generally being cited as the number one reason why web users access news and information sites.

The web is extremely well suited to providing weather information to the public. Because it is always available and can be accessed in a non-linear fashion, it lends itself to providing data tailored individual users. The challenge confronting online meteorologists is maintaining timely information for a 24-hour-a-day, seven-day-a-week medium.

The presentation will delve into the philosophy of providing online weather information, and take a close look at the mechanics of operating a weather website. Included in the presentation will be techniques for offering forecast information, current conditions, radar and satellite imagery, climate data and other ancillary materials. Use of push technologies as a means of extending the reach of the website will be examined. The issue of maintaining traffic at times when interest in the weather is otherwise low will also be addressed.