The future of weather reports? New tech creates Hurricane Florence simulation

Read Story Transcript

If you've been following tropical storm Florence, you may have seen some dramatic new reports by The Weather Channel. 

Instead of the usual collage of confusing graphics, arrows, and charts, there's a much more realistic — and frightening — scene on the screen. In one example, it appears as if the studio is filling with water during a report about Hurricane Florence, which has since been downgraded to a tropical storm. 

The Weather Channel started using the "immersive mixed-reality technology" earlier this year.

• AS IT HAPPENS: N.C. alderwoman rescues people from flooded homes
• Florence wreaks havoc along North Carolina coast

Mike Potts, vice-president of design for The Weather Group, spoke to As It Happens guest host Helen Mann about the technology and whether there is a risk of turning the weather into entertainment with the dramatic graphics.

Here is part of their conversation.

How important was it to make this as realistic as possible?

It had to be real. Our whole goal was to elicit this visceral response. The danger of storm surge is so powerful. There's been many ways in the past. You can communicate the data and the warnings that are put out. But we wanted to connect with the audience in a very immediate and powerful way. 

What kind of emotions do you think that seeing this will evoke for people?

This is real. That it's scary. ... We wanted a sense of urgency and immediacy. 

You mention the public service aspect of this, but there has also got to be some motivation here in terms of attracting viewers and making a profit with these kind of splashy graphics.

I think great content is great content. If we can use the tools that are available, and harness those to have stuff that's memorable and shareable, then all the better.

But you're absolutely right in that it all does boil down to — are we getting our public safety message out there? And I think it's a benefit that we're doing it in a beautiful way. 

Is there not, though, some risk here in turning actual serious news into the realm of entertainment?

I think there's always a line and we take that very seriously. It's not so much entertainment. I think each topic is considered and the appropriate response is gauged and measured. 

We want the message and the takeaway to be very simple here. It's that rising water and storm surge is dangerous and if you can learn and take away something from this, and this may affect you, please heed the warnings.

I watched the one you did about tornadoes. And while it was very effective, and honestly quite entertaining, I really noted that the metrologist was kind of in a position where he was reacting, kind of like an actor would. Are you not turning your metrologists into performers?

I think to really harness the evolving media landscape and the technology that we use to broadcast, presenters really are actors.

They are given information and they need to convey that information in a realistic and compelling way. And yeah, quite frankly, our talented experts in metrology are also talented presenters and actors on any stage that we have. And yeah, they do a tremendous job in conveying the information.

Do any of them push back against that? Do they say, you know, "I'm not here to be an actor. I'm here to present science."

I think anyone in front of the camera, to some degree, has to adapt and evolve. Where the technology takes us, they need to follow. And everyone here is excited and loves to be in front of this technology.

If this is, indeed, the future of weather reporting, do you think maybe five or 10 years down the road, maybe even sooner, this is how we'll see our regular weather forecast presented?

Well, I hope so. The medium is changing.

And as long as there's screens out there, the kinds of content that we watch are going to evolve. 

Written by Katie Geleff and John McGill. Produced by Katie Geleff. Q&A has been edited for length and clarity.