Gregory D. MacMaster Chief Meteorologist, WPBN Traverse City, Michigan

Abstract: Broadcast meteorologists are the most visible entity when it pertains to those who have little knowledge in accessing weather information for a class project all the way to a complex court case. A survey was conducted in the summer of 2006 with 100 responses. What follows is a review of those responses, the increased liability unknowingly placed on the employer by the employee and how to reduce that risk while enhancing your career for advancement.

Introduction: During the past several years, the broadcast meteorologist has evolved into what we now call the "Station Scientist". With that title, comes responsibility. That can lead to increased risk and liability not only to the employer, but the employee as well. We answer all questions to the best of our ability and that means accessing weather information from days, weeks, months, years and in some cases, decades past, to help the unknown caller.

These calls are from different risk groups that I'll categorize into the following;

Low Educational Referencing weather data for use in education Moderate Agricultural Hedging for use in growing - planning. High Legal Referencing weather data for use in court of law

Traditionally, they would fulfill the request accordingly, unaware of it's purpose, unless they asked for more information from the requestor. They may be asked to explain a report that needs clarification. In some cases, write a report stating this in a formal manner for use in official filings.

Presentation will be in a Power Point with the master copy sent to the AMS for additional orders: