What next in weather coverage, Jim Hickey on a horse?

If you haven't seen the movie Anchorman then some of this blog might not make a huge amount of sense.

The movie is a fantastic take off of the old fashioned and sexist TV newsrooms that existed across America back in the 1970s. The movie stars Will Ferrell and in a truly bizarre scene all the competing news channels meet up behind an old warehouse and have a huge fight. It's like a fight scene out of Planet of the Apes with men on horse back casting nets, while other news anchors charge each other with axes, spears, tridents - you name it. It's so bizarre that it's laugh out loud funny. Even public radio tries to get in on the act, fighting for dominance in the tight San Diego TV news market.

I think of that fight scene and sometimes wonder If I'll ever get jumped by a trident wielding Bob McDavitt or Jim Hickey on horse back if I've ever been quoted on TV and maybe they aren't happy. We're a small country and there isn't a lot of room to grow in the field of weather presenting or forecasting. The TV channels battle it out for best weather coverage and lately the addition of small towns to the evening forecast seems to be the newest form of one-upmanship. The newspapers and websites battle it out with better graphics and more detail. When there's a storm the TV networks fight over who can place some poor reporter out in the pouring rain. It's always a gamble to do that.

How many times have we watched the coverage of an approaching storm "bearing down on us" and the reporter is standing outside where it's dry and calm. In America, you often see these reporters placed in the line of Hurricanes... standing along waterfronts saying things like "Everyone who lives in this area has now been evacuated...except for us" they throw back to the anchor who, with all sincerity but somehow you don't believe a word they say, says "Oh wow, well you take care now. We wanna make sure you're in a safe building and can ride this out".

But we all fight for the news. We all want the best angle. We all want to be first - and that's how the news media operates. So long as we don't fudge the details or make things bigger than they are. It's a fine line and sometimes, as a weather enthusiast, you can't help but feel the adrenalin kick in when you hear of a storm.

I know Richard Green and I had a big debrief following last weekend's storm. We read your comments posted and the emails sent in - most of which were very positive and encouraging. While storms excite us we don't want to over-hype any system. We always need checks and balances. Some old man with a white coat and thick black rimmed glasses standing in the corner ready to tell us off the minute any sort of emotion kicks in over the facts.

I've mentioned before our "We got it wrong" policy. Every time we think we've significantly "got it wrong" we'll be the first to 'fess up and learn from it. Last weekend's storm was pretty bad for some... those people affected by wind damage, flooding and power outages appreciated the warnings and our news coverage. Those who weren't affected felt the forecasters (including me) all got a bit too carried away. In the weather industry credibility is paramount...we can't afford to 'get it wrong' too often. So we appreciate all the feedback sent in...be assured it's been read and certainly Richard and I at the Weather Watch Centre use it to help shape our internal 'rules'.

But back to my fight scene. We see Bob McDavitt in the news all the time... the only weatherman I know who actually has a hairdo that matches a cumulus cloud. He's iconic in our weather world and him and I often catch up over lunch to chat about recent weather events or news coverage on a particular storm. Even particular quotes he and I have made.

The late Augie Auer was an inspiration to me. He taught me quite a bit and I only wish he was still around. I loved how he wound up those who passionately believed in global warming. He was like a boy running his finger down a corrugated iron fence with a large barking dog behind it. He'd be smiling the whole time too. Augie passionately stood up for his beliefs and - whether you agree with him or not - he captured the attention of many with his controversial views.

TVNZ's Jim Hickey and Karen Olsen are a staple part of our weather diet. These guys know our weather well and for many who watch TVNZ they're a somewhat comforting reminder to all those well known faces that TVNZ no longer has. Such as Richard Long and Judy Bailey. I think they're experience and longevity on One News has built up a significant level of trust in the eyes of the public. I'd love to hear more of their own opinions sometime too...Augie used to do that and it's what made him so interesting to watch...mind you, I was in the minority. From memory the ol' ratings for him at TV3 weren't so hot. They moved on to Toni Marsh who appealed to the younger TV3 audiences - and Toni has been on 3 for many years now too.

I hope with the development of weatherwatch.co.nz and the weather blogs here at the Herald you're starting to see a new side to weather presentation. It doesn't always have to be "showers chiefly in the west" and it doesn't always have to be serious. In America weather presenters are known for their humour and quirks. They also are known for being so passionate you can watch weather news for literally hours - even people who find the weather boring can get hooked on it. Passionate weather forecasters/presenters make all the difference.

I don't know how well I'd do in a fight with all our well known weather people. I'll think about this when I go to my car park after work tonight...Bob McDavitt jumping from the bushes, Jim Hickey on a horse with a net, Jim Salinger running with an axe...and me? Well...imagining that sight...I'd probably just get the giggles.

For the latest on Tropical Cyclone Hamish click here.

Philip Duncan

Photo: Will Ferrel in Anchorman. Photo / Supplied