How to Read a Weather Forecast on the Radio

Radio

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Nearly every radio station has weather forecasts as part of their programming. The few who don't are simply not interested in attracting an audience. Giving an effective and accurate forecast will often determine whether listeners come back to your station. Here are several steps that are important to keep in mind before you open the microphone.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

Microphone
Headphones
Music
Printed Weather Forecast

How to Read a Weather Forecast on the Radio

Step1

If your printed forecast is from a non-broadcast weather service, you will find that you will have to change the wording. Adapt this to a conversational tone. For example, a standard forecast will be written, "Times of sun and clouds." Would you say that if someone asked you what the weather is like? No, you'd say, "Partly sunny." So do it on the air.

Step2

Look for a headline in your forecast to grab the listener's attention. Let's say the weather has been the same for a week, perhaps partly sunny and around 50 degrees. If the forecast is headed for a change, that's your headline. Examples: "Snow is on the way," "Rain tonight," "It's going to get cold!'

Step3

Use authority in your voice. Listeners will know that you are confident in the forecast's accuracy, which will create trust, which will create repeat listeners.

Step4

Most forecasts avoid predicting an exact high or low temperature. You should do it, though, because it adds authority to your forecast. If the predicted high on your printed forecast says, "Upper 60s," then your predicted high on air should be 69.

Step5

Do not use the word "Degrees." When you give a high or low temperature in number form, the listener will know that degrees is implied. If you are reading a forecast for more than one day, imagine how many times you'd waste airtime saying that single word.

Step6

When there's a chance of precipitation in the forecast pay attention to the per cent chance in the printed forecast. Don't give that percentile on the air. Determine it this way: 60% or more means "A good chance," 50% means "A chance," 40% or less means "A slight chance."

Step7

Avoid ending your forecast in the evening. It leaves the audience hanging, because most people have work or activities in the daytime. If it's Monday and you finish with Tuesday night's forecast, the listener will automatically wonder what they'll wake up to on Wednesday.

Step8

Avoid mentioning barometer readings and wind direction. Do note to yourself, however, the predicted speed of winds. Anything over 25 to 30 miles per hour should be noted with the one word addition, "Windy" to your forecast. Anything stronger will be already included in the printed forecast.

Tips & Warnings

Note how accurate the forecaster you receive your printed weather from is. If it's often wrong, look for another source. Listeners will tune you out if you continually send them out into rainy days after you predicted no precipitation.
You can write out the forecast at your own peril. It's fine to do for the new annoucer, but gradually you should get used to reading a forecast in broadcast style directly from the original print out. This will make you a stronger, more natural announcer.