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A.M. Weather

Show Summary

Aired: 1978 - 1995
Show Type: Live Action
Country of Origin: US

Hosted by NOAA meteorologists Carl Weiss, Joan Von Ahn and Wayne Winston, this long-gone-since PBS staple provided a casual, yet no-nonsense comprehensive weather forecast for the U.S. and Canada, broadcasting either 15 minutes before or after the hour (usually around 5am or 6am, depending on where you live).

The show began with a study of the jetstream and satellite patterns over the country. Next came the latest national radar summary, highlighting past precipitation (with highest points measured in 1000's, omitting the last two zeroes; e.g. 200 = 20,000 feet). Following that was the national map, indicating the current weather conditions across the country, by means of precipitation, high and low pressure centers, fronts and isobars. The forecast segment provided viewers a supposed prediction for the coming days (using the same symbols from the national map, sans the isobars), the projected high and low temperatures, plus an extended outlook for precipitation and tempatures (expressed in terms of above or below normal). Other maps used on "A.M. Weather" included a crop moisture chart for the growing season, and a snow cover chart for the winter.

But by far, the most important part of "A.M. Weather" was its aviation weather segment, since the show was:

1.) originally broadcast as "Aviation Weather" from 1972-1976
2.) produced in cooperation with NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)
3.) received financial support from various corporations and government agencies- most notably, AOPA (the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, and its Air Safety Foundation arm) and the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration)

This segment focused on four vital components of aviation weather: the location of VFR/MVFR/IFR conditions, icing, turbulence and winds aloft (from 2000 feet above ground level upward).

And last, but not least, there was "WeatherWatch", a segment which provided a prognosis of any dangerous/potientally dangerous weather around the country, by means of watches, warnings and advisories.

From 1978 up until Friday, February 3rd, 1995, "A.M. Weather" has not only been a pilot's top resource, but the inspiration for many a weather fanatic or budding meteorologist as well. It was cancelled on the latter date due in part to a decision that Maryland Public Television (the PBS station behind the show) made, over expanding "Bloomberg Business News" to a full half-hour.

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