"Two forecasts, two communities, one meteorologist" by Lawrence Weather Watch / LJWorld.com

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Two forecasts, two communities, one meteorologist

If you live in the Lawrence area and think you have seen me on more than one channel, you aren't seeing things! Recently, a 6News Lawrence viewer noticed I am the morning meteorologist for both 6News Lawrence and KTKA 49 ABC News, and asked how it works.

Obviously, I can't be in both studios at once (although I would love to have superhero powers!) How do I cover the weather for both stations and why?

Both KTKA 49 ABC News and 6 News Lawrence, along with the Lawrence Journal-World and other news outlets are all owned by the World Company. We have teamed up to share resources and work together. The weather department is a great example of how we work together. Not only do I cover the morning weather for both KTKA 49 ABC News and 6News Lawrence, but during severe weather we are able to all work together to cover a larger area, providing even better coverage to you.

I cover the morning weather for both stations from the KTKA 49 ABC News studio in Topeka. Each morning I forecast for both the Lawrence and the Topeka viewing areas. Not only do I forecast for both areas, I build graphics for two different shows, update the forecast on both Web sites and do much more. We have worked out a schedule that allows me to cover weather for both stations, although sometimes I may only have 30 seconds between weathercasts to change between my KTKA 49 ABC News and 6 News Lawrence show! I am on-air between 5:26 and 9 a.m. for 6 News Lawrence. For KTKA 49 ABC News, I have a weathercast every 10 minutes between 6 and 7 a.m., along with local weathercasts during Good Morning America between 7 and 9 a.m. Needless to say, the morning weather is fast-paced, with little time to waste!

While my position may sound like double the work, to me it is a great opportunity. Not only do I get to forecast for a larger area, I also get to be a part of a larger community.

Here is a picture of me doing the weather this morning for KTKA 49 ABC News.

And here is a picture of me also doing the weather this morning, for 6News Lawrence.

By Ashley Meenen

November 6, 2009

Lawrence Weather Watch

Discussion

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6 November 2009
at 7:43 a.m.

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zettapixel (Anonymous) says…

Best looking meteorologist I've ever seen!
6 November 2009
at 9:21 a.m.

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fairplay (Anonymous) says…

So the “local” weather from the “local” cable access show isn't “local”? Why don't I just watch KC then?
6 November 2009
at 9:43 a.m.

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consumer1 (Anonymous) says…

Ashile, could you send me an autographed picture of yourself?
6 November 2009
at 10:29 a.m.

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GardenMomma (Anonymous) says…

So then, why are your forecasts different? I've seen on KTKA that you predict weather for Lawrence will be one way and then on the Lawrence station you predict it will be different.

Also, the current temperatures are always different - sometimes by more than a few degrees!

And it was Alex Harrington I first noticed doing both forecasts.

Sometimes the forecasts for Lawrence look taped. I've noticed you say the exact same thing over and over for each “on the six” broadcast.
6 November 2009
at 11:39 a.m.

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Dennis (Dennis Anderson) says…

Hi fairplay.
Good question: “So the “local” weather from the “local” cable access show isn't “local”? Why don't I just watch KC then?”

Our meteorologists based in Topeka and Lawrence work together as a team and are experts in how the weather affects our immediate region. Their focus is our region, not the larger Kansas City region that can go as far east as Columbia, Mo. So, you can rely on the weather forecast to be locally focused.

I'm a novice, and I'll let our Ashley and our other experts explain the science of weather. But as long as I've lived here, when severe weather heads our way it usually hits Topeka first and then heads toward Lawrence. I can't say the same for Kansas City, which is more than 40 miles down the storm path from Lawrence.

Dennis Anderson
Managing Editor, Lawrence Journal-World
6 November 2009
at 2:28 p.m.

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hellsbasement (Anonymous) says…

just me or anyone else notice these blogs are being used more and more for advertising?
6 November 2009
at 2:37 p.m.

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The_Original_Bob (Anonymous) says…

I'm sort of a weather junkee, so I'm all for these blogs. They'll catch on once the first snowstorm comes our way. I read Lezak's blog since it began and his readership and comments spike through the roof when something happens. Keep it up!

6 November 2009
at 5:06 p.m.

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ameenen (Ashley Meenen) says…

GardenMomma,
In response to your questions and comments:

“So then, why are your forecasts different? I've seen on KTKA that you predict weather for Lawrence will be one way and then on the Lawrence station you predict it will be different.”
The extended forecast is different for both stations because the ‘6 Day Forecast’ for 6 News Lawrence is for the Lawrence viewing area, while the ‘7 Day Forecast’ for ktka 49 abc News is for the Topeka area. Anytime we make a graphic for 49 News that includes Lawrence, we make sure the numbers are the same and the forecast is consistent. Occasionally the forecast may be different for the viewing areas; a great example for this would be when a cold front slides through. The high temperature in Concordia could be much different than the high for Lawrence.

“Also, the current temperatures are always different - sometimes by more than a few degrees!”
The current temperatures can be different, especially at the top of the hour. If you were to catch a weathercast on 49 News at 7 a.m., then a weathercast on 6 News at 7:06 a.m., the numbers would be different due to new data coming in. Since the numbers only update once an hour, it is normal for the temperature to change by a few degrees.

“And it was Alex Harrington I first noticed doing both forecasts.”
As you mentioned, I am not the first person to fill this double role. Both Alex Harrington and Craig Gold did as well.

“Sometimes the forecasts for Lawrence look taped. I've noticed you say the exact same thing over and over for each “on the six” broadcast.”
Occasionally we need to prerecord a weathercast when there is a timing conflict at both stations. The prerecorded weathercast is current and we never play a prerecorded weathercast during inclement or severe weather. If for any reason we need to be on-air for both stations, at the same time during inclement or severe weather, you may notice we simulcast the forecast.

-Ashley