For several years when I was a reporter, a newsroom task was to call Plainfield Weather Observer Vivian Scherer and get the daily weather report. I was thinking of her today after checking the state climatology reports for snowfall.
To see a photo of Vivian Scherer being honored for her service, click here and scroll down to page 8. Plainfield no longer has a volunteer weather observer.
You can see the state snowfall report for 2013-14 (so far) here.
It was always a pleasure to call State Climatologist Dave Robinson for an explanation of unusual weather. He gave "good quote" and made many a reporter's life easier when doing weather stories. The worst parts were "Town by Town" roundups, in which we had to track down a busy Public Works guy to state the obvious, and being sent out in blizzards and hurricanes to get comments. We probably had it easier than the mobile journalists ("mo-jos") of today who have to get weather copy plus photos and video, then file digitally.
Once I rode through snow-clogged city streets in a military Humvee, not the wedding-limo version that came out later. The Humvee climbed over snowbanks easily and its might dazzled residents who were out surveying the aftermath of the storm. That was worth all the dopey weather assignments.
--Bernice
.
Bernice,
ReplyDeleteVivian was always willing to give a detailed prediction of rain or not when the Engineering Division had to make decisions on ordering "Hot" Asphalt to pave roadways in the City. Of course the contractors where never happy to hear the paving was canceled for the day [they had to send the staff/trucks back to their facilities and only received a payment based on the amount of tons put down! I am also sure the Bd of Ed and WERA dialed her number many an early morning. She was greatly appreciated. Ken Donhauser