Messages

61

Programming / Re: Tropical Update maps

« on: September 05, 2010, 09:45:57 AM »

The wind field map was and still is a useful feature. It is simple yet effective. I've provided a comparison of wind field maps from 1989 (Hugo) and the recent Earl hurricane. The color scheme is different though. Another map used in the tropical reports displayed the actual wind gusts (also pictured). It was a good representation of what the top winds were at various locations on a single map covering a broad region during each updated interval. It was kept simple, easy to read and didn't include other info that might have been distracting. Actually many of the maps, etc. used in the earlier days were like that.

62

Local Forecast / Re: Song Identification needed

« on: August 19, 2010, 02:28:21 PM »

The Accu-Weather Channel reminds me of the way The Weather Channel used to be. I like this channel (and lucky enough) to live in an area that can receive the broadcast.

Here is an example of a severe thunderstorm scroll.

63

Everything Else TWC / Re: Blooper Thread

« on: August 19, 2010, 01:52:58 PM »

There was a "sight chance of a showers" in the northeast this morning  .

64

TWC Classics News / Re: New footage from 1991

« on: August 18, 2010, 06:13:30 PM »

]
Check out that HUGE moon and stars in the beginning of local forecast.

These larger icons appeared in the 1990-1992 period. Here's another example of the mega-icons.

65

Programming / Re: Tropical Update maps

« on: August 15, 2010, 09:50:59 AM »

Below are screenshots of a tracking map, satellite and radar imagery used during tropical coverage in 1989 & 1992. Included are hurricane Hugo (Sept 1989) and hurricanes Andrew & Lester (Aug 1992).

66

TWC Classics News / Re: New footage from 1991

« on: August 14, 2010, 06:29:56 PM »

I always looked forward to the Fall Foliage Report every year.

The Fall Foliage Report was another of my favorites. The video footage was often stunning while Jim Cantore narrated the segment. The Rippington's were used a lot as the music background.

67

General Discussion / Re: Your favorite WeatherStar?

« on: August 14, 2010, 06:00:23 PM »

Definitely the 4000. Nostalgia & memories of the days when the Weather Channel was at its' best (in my opinion) do play a part. I really liked the color scheme which was more eye appealing than the plain blue screen of the first WxStar 3's. The date, day of the week and time were always clearly visible in the upper or lower right of the screen (as they were on the 3000) and it was the first time a local Doppler radar was shown at my location.

68

General Discussion / Re: ABC Family to Become ABCF

« on: August 14, 2010, 05:09:32 PM »

Yeah, the Weather Channel may be next for a name change... I can see something like "WC" or "Wx" coming in the future.

ICK!  Don't give them any ideas!! 

It may already be too late.

69

TWC Classics News / Re: New footage from 1991

« on: August 13, 2010, 08:16:27 PM »

Blasts from the past!  Like the BTF, the Skiers' Forecast is one of the segments I'll always vividly remember.

70

General Discussion / Re: ABC Family to Become ABCF

« on: August 13, 2010, 07:41:10 PM »

Kid shows, family orientated stuff doesn't sell anymore.

Anything goes TV is the big ratings grabber these days.

71

General Discussion / Re: When did you start watching The Weather Channel?

« on: August 13, 2010, 06:52:34 PM »

The TCF scroll (with the large block letters and grayish background) started showing up in my area on the wxStar 3000 as early as 1989 and continued with the upgrade to the 4000 in 1990. I think it was discontinued sometime in 1995.

72

General Discussion / Re: David Sanborn

« on: August 12, 2010, 11:10:54 PM »

he had 2 songs in 1988

Lisa and Let's Just Say Goodbye

Also a collaboration with Bob James in 1986/1987 with "Moon Tune" and "You Don't Know Me".

73

OCMs & Personalities / Re: OCM Layoff- Bill Keneely

« on: August 12, 2010, 10:39:22 PM »

Until he was let go Bill Keneely was the last of the original OCMs and is (was) the longest on air personality to date (28 years). There are three remaining OCMs who've been @ TWC prior to 1990: Jeff Morrow (1985), Jim Cantore (1986) and Vivian Brown (1988).

74

General Discussion / Re: When did you start watching The Weather Channel?

« on: August 06, 2010, 06:14:44 PM »

1985. Cable was installed in my neighborhood, I noticed there was a Weather Channel and I started watching. There were some really nice backgrounds used during the locals in the 1986-1987 general time period (some stationary, others in motion) until they were later discontinued.

75

General Discussion / Re: The Front Porch

« on: August 04, 2010, 11:31:08 PM »

Oh my Goodness, my neighbor's house just burnt to the ground. They lost everything, even the family dog.   

That truly is sad news. Same thing happened to a neighbor & friend of mine in March. Lost her home to a fire including two of three pets (her beloved King shepherd + one of two cats). The other happened to be outdoors at the time.