I wanted to try a new way to interact with all of you, doing a narrated description of the weather situation, with lots of weather graphics and loops.
Check the video below out, and let me know if you think this is something I should try again. I am an amateur at this kind of presentation--so it can only get better....enjoy...cliff
Hit the play button to get it started....
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A Near Perfect Forecast of Yesterday's Event. The Next Windstorm Comes into View
The next time someone makes a weatherperson joke, remember the nearly perfect forecast for yesterday's wind event over Washington. No l...
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Mother Nature seems to have forgotten about the current strong El Nino and the record warmth of the past month. Massive snow will fall over ... -
The latest model forecasts are consistent: an unusually powerful storm with extreme low pressure will develop rapidly offshore on Monday a...
I like it Cliff. Your personal touch makes it interesting.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the video! I don't think it should be a replacement for your written analysis, but it is a welcome addition to the mix.
ReplyDeleteAny ideas what is driving all these low pressure systems our way instead of the usual ridging that happens this time of year?
I think the experiment is a success! My hypothesis is that this approach represents more effort than a text-based post, but as a visual learner, I felt the information was distilled effectively. Look forward to the evolution of this format! Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI like the presentation! Much more informative. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteReally like it. Easier to follow and you provide more explanations of what the charts and models are telling us.
ReplyDeleteA small, permanent date reference overlay in a corner so we can easily know what day is being shown. A little too hard to keep it all referenced imho given the called-out dates.
ReplyDeleteI really prefer written analysis -- and there are times I really can't be playing a video, but can still read on my phone.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree!
DeleteYup, me too
DeleteHere’s a third! Most of my Cliff-update opportunities cannot be had with the video sound on!
Deletevery nice format, enjoy this more than the text versions!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Cliff! I like the video presentation! Easier to follow and more informative!
ReplyDeleteThis is much easier to follow, but takes considerably more time than reading the material. I suspect for me, I would look at these less often but would pay more attention when something challenging was happening with the weather (such as the July troughs you're discussing).
ReplyDeleteLike the commentary but also like digging into the maps myself so maybe just include links to maps mentioned. Great summary format. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI agree with some of the previous comments. I often look at the charts etc. However the voice over adds some details. Maybe enhance the old formats with a voice and picture summary especially of key details, sort of add emphasis.
ReplyDeleteLike the personal presentation and kind the forecast even more!
ReplyDeleteLike it, but would hate to see it totally replace the text. Takes much longer to get the gist, but provides easier-to-absorb detail in exchange. When we get into particularly exciting weather patterns, these would be great.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your video immensely, Cliff! Great learning tool for understanding the graphics. Thanks for the great work.
ReplyDeleteSandi in Port Townsend
Sorry I'm not going to watch a 7 minute video, I'd rather read it. If it was 2 minutes I might watch it if there was also text to go with it. Just my two cents.
ReplyDeleteI really like this new format. You should do this once a week.
ReplyDeleteI like it. Your explanations are clearer for me to hear than to read, and it's easier to just see the graphics, instead of having to chase them down on my phone (which often requires getting kicked out & restarting several times per blog post.) Thanks for trying this!
ReplyDeleteLoved this format! Please continue!
ReplyDeleteI really like it!!
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed hearing you give more detail and seeing some of the resources you use to make your forecasts. I agree that the written blog posts are great for many updates but appreciated hearing you dive a bit deeper with the video.
ReplyDeleteThanks Cliff. This came down loud and clear in Portland. Wish your forecast extended a little further south, but I'll take what I can get.
ReplyDeleteI like this a lot. I feel like it gives me a better understanding of the graphics you are presenting.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great explanation. I would also love the written to refer to later.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great explanation. I would also love the written to refer to later.
ReplyDeleteThis is good Cliff. I like your written blog posts, but having a video at least once a week would be nice, unless there is "breaking news" of course.
ReplyDeleteI think this is an excellent addition to your blog Cliff!! You interpreted the maps in ways that I learned something new that is a bit less approachable in the typical blog format. Plus you have one of the best speaking voices out there!
ReplyDeleteExcellent! Love the personal explanation. Perhaps keep it a bit shorter but I do like it and will watch for more!
ReplyDeleteI also like it, but second the date overlay idea. I lose track of what day you are discussing when I get wrapped up in the graphs. You have such a nice presentation style and obvious enthusiasm for your subject! Thanks
ReplyDeleteThanks Cliff. your presentation gives us more detailed information and a better perspective than the more summary-like reading material. the question is whether your followers want a quick summary or a fully developed analysis. my vote is for the fully developed analysis because we can put subsequent updates in perspective.
ReplyDeletePrefer written article. Didn't take the time to listen to this.
ReplyDeleteThis is great! I would especially enjoy this for forecasting wind storms or snow when when the time comes.
ReplyDeleteI like the explanation given verbally - clearer and easier to understand. I like seeing the websites you use, too. Not sure if this is possible, but you might want to use a larger/colorful mouse arrow. That would be even easier to see where you are pointing. I would keep watching these, so I hope you continue in this format.
ReplyDeleteSome may prefer the video but I don’t think it could replace the written synopsis so you have doubled your work load to no great advantage.
ReplyDeleteThis is fabulous! I love hearing your voice and the methodical approach for describing the forecast. In that you are able to describe the moving patterns it has enhanced my understanding. Please keep it up!
ReplyDeleteI really like the explanations and the graphs. There are so few climate/weather people who address the west coast so well. Maybe you can say a few things about Northern California as well? Great job.
ReplyDeleteI like this a lot; your voice is so pleasant to listen to. It's also easy for frequent YouTube viewers to find this in the subscriptions. I typically look for posts in my Twitter feed but those are often overlooked; I don't keep a tab open for the blog and fell out of the habit of checking a bookmark daily.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't say get rid of the blog, but I will enjoy watching videos.
Really like it, Cliff! More please. I'm a visual learner as well and like your comments.
ReplyDeleteOf course, you could keep everyone happy by having a transcript of your narrative with applicable charts below. I suppose it would be more time consuming on your end though.
However, it's increasingly common practice to be available to accommodate the highest number of people possible for both disability and preference.
As a total weather amateur, your narration really kept my attention and helped me understand the concepts better. I would very much look forward to more of this!
ReplyDeleteExcellent and very, very helpful, particularly using the cursor to highlight key points in the graphics. More, please!
ReplyDeleteI like it! I learned some things and it is informative to hear you talk about what you look at, and why. Sure, your written material does too; but your voice imparts something the written word can't do so well. Kinda like hearing a song rather than just reading the sheet music!
ReplyDeleteLove it! Only suggestion would be to target about 4 minutes long
ReplyDeleteSeems great to me. I liked seeing the graphics with motion. Sounded like you may have been using a pointer of some type, but that did not seem visible.
ReplyDeletePersonally I would prefer an article that I can scan through for just the data and the trend. saves everyone time and is capable of delivering a more personally adjustable rate of information intake. No pausing to go back and re-listen, sped up, slow down, get to the point etc.
ReplyDeleteSorry I missed your blog today. :/
This is great! As a pilot of small airplanes in the local Seattle area, I go over various weather products every evening in preparation for the following day. I would love to add this to my evening routine!
ReplyDeleteThis was awesome. Id watch everyone. This is great content for youtube; zero privacy concern. You would profit greatly and spread your wisdom much more effectively.
ReplyDeleteThank you Cliff. As a novice, I appreciate the pointer locating verbal messages and find this format much more informative than reading and trying to match the verbiage with the uisually provided graphics.
ReplyDeleteI like it. Very informative. Hope it is correct, as we need rain!
ReplyDeleteI think video presentations would be great once in awhile. Maybe bigger interesting events like this. Like your access to the European. But it’s all to reminisce to your first 5 minutes of lecture for anyone who has taken your 101 class. And in most situations, it’s more convenient to read text than watch video. Having said that, do what is also convenient for you too.
ReplyDeleteAs someone who makes their living by the weather I appreciate this format. You talk about wet July’s check back to the summer of 83. Wrecked a lot of hay that year. Always look forward to your posts no matter what the method.
ReplyDeleteAs one who makes their living by the weather I appreciate the information in any format. This could match the July of 83, wrecked a lot of hay that year. Thanks Cliff
ReplyDeleteNice Thank you
ReplyDeleteOh I really like this. You have a fine "radio" voice. Keep this up but also don't stop your regular blog. People are funny sometimes they want video and sometimes they want to read in silence.
ReplyDeleteYes!! I like this very much, it is great to see how you manipulate the web pages and I like your style! Bravo, please continue.... Josh in Port Townsend
ReplyDeleteYes I like it very much, great to see how you manipulate the model web pages and your discussion...Bravo ! please continue!
ReplyDeleteYou nailed it Cliff, a very enjoyable and informative presentation! Does not look good for Sequim's Lavender Festival next weekend 7/19-7/21, unfortunately.
ReplyDeleteI prefer the written reports as I can really "study" the meaning of it all.. maybe I could suggest also including the script/written version? I did like the video however
ReplyDeleteWOW! This was great. Informative & educational. I'm making plans for a little planting in the garden to take advantage of all the moisture. THANKS!
ReplyDeleteBig fan of the video broadcast. Your narration is pleasant and helpful to understanding these discussions. More, please!
ReplyDeleteI generally prefer reading over watching video. Reading allows me to scan quickly and read in depth when I want. Video requires me too sit and watch for a set time. Your written blog is marvelous. I would be sad if you change to video.
ReplyDeleteA very good post. It was difficult to view the detail on the charts, especially the curser, because I use my phone. I woukd probably skip the post and not return to it, if I wasn't able to turn up the volume on first notice.
ReplyDeleteGood and helpful video. HOWEVER, not helpful much of the time because it takes longer to get the valuable info you provide and I often am in situations where it isn't practical to view/listen video material.
ReplyDeleteConsider two options? Post the video but also post the script/graphics in text form as many news sites so. Or, use the tool of video to dive deep on a challenging subject that benefits from your obvious skills at explaining stuff visually and verbally.
I prefer reading the blog - I can read faster than I can listen, and often I cannot have the audio going
ReplyDeleteI've been a follower of your blog for years and like that you give us detailed weather facts for the NW, which we don't get from the major networks! I also watch Mr. Bastardi on WeatherBELL.com too, but again he focuses on more east coast weather patterns.
ReplyDeleteMaybe just have a Saturday summary video for us that did like the video format and do a text blog during the week for those that like to read, a win/win!
Very interesting and I love how you work through the graphics. I'm all in favor of the new approach!
DeleteInteresting. But hard to see on my phone, where I usually check in.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the video and generally agree with the previous comments; don't displace the traditional blog post.
ReplyDeleteTechnical feedback: set the browser to fullscreen mode (usually F11) to declutter the view and maximize usable screen space. A larger or higher-visibility cursor would be a good addition to make it easier to follow.
If there's a lot of demand (and/or to aid in search engine optimization), audio transcription is available for as low as $0.10/min. The more expensive services tend to be more accurate.
very educational. Keep it up.
ReplyDeleteWow. I love it. I've always wanted to audit one of your classes but Friday Harbor is too far north. Not anymore! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteReally enjoy your blog and your book. I agree with Weatherman that a once a week summary video with periodic text updates would be great. By watching the video, I now know what to look for in the next few weeks text blogs.
ReplyDeleteExcellent presentation technique on the video with just the correct level of detail.
I read your blog often, but as an amateur, I often don't completely know what I am looking at in weather images. So, getting your narration with the cursor pointing to what your are referencing really helped orient me and will help me in future reads. Thank you for everything you do! Your passion is inspiring.
ReplyDeleteThe video blog was helpful in seeing weather system progression for the week ahead. It was also very helpful because I could see the actual website and settings you were using to get the charts. For an amateur like me this was great. The UW Weather website often confuses me with too many options to feel confident. But watching you select and navigate that site now gives me a starting point to explore and reproduce what you showed.
ReplyDeleteNow the downside. It was kind of tiny on my laptop screen and terrible on a cellphone. But a bigger caveat is that folks with limited bandwidth (like my friends in Rockport) that depend on your blog will be unable to watch the video. The solution would be to include a text version for those that are in rural, limited bandwidth areas.
Cliff, As a sailor glued to wx info, I really appreciate your text blog - THANK YOU! The video is difficult to receive on the phone where so much of Western Washington has marginal cell coverage due to distances and topography. Please keep the text blog coming.
ReplyDeleteFor me it was really well done and fun to follow along. I agree with need for bigger cursor arrow if possible and maybe a bit shorter in time. Also to not abandon the written blog posts. My experience is that those are not easy to do and take some time to do well and, if they are not, then people stop watching them. So I hope you can continue to have the time to do them well.
ReplyDeleteThe video has good and bad. It's a different audience that will spend 7 minutes watching a video vs. being able to scan the amount of detail they want on a text page. The video definitely gives you time to add detail. That's good.
ReplyDeleteI recommend a combination approach where you continue with text pages and supplement with video.
There are issues, though. Attention span is a big one. Even today I got interrupted before I could finish 7 minutes. I had trouble following the points because "next 24 hours" followed by "next 24 hours" quickly lost me. The screen details are not readable so I can't extract the extra information I enjoy on your pages. Finally, these videos won't be discoverable with a web search. I recently found some of your older commentaries that way.
Thank you for the community service you provide, Cliff.
I like both formats, but I think the video works great for me because it is slower and gives me more time look at the graphics and follow along with you as you interpret them. I am a science teacher, but meterology is not my field of study. I am deeply curious about it so the slower approach gives me a better understanding. Does it take longer or more effort for you to create the video? Also, the video would be easier to share with students (say in middle school or high school) if you wanted to broaden your audience.
ReplyDeleteWOW!!! At last, a multi-year (decades) long mystery finally solved!! Bugging me for forever from the time I first started following you 'til now, was me trying to figure out what "cin" meant at the far right end of that estimated rainfall bar at the bottom of all those forecast rainfall maps. Between your written narratives and looking at those rainfall forecast maps with their color codes, the best I could surmise, especially by the time we got to the blue-green-pink-black-red-and beyond colors implied significant amounts of precipitation increasing incrementally but in units I couldn't quite determine. I've spent years trying to figure out what "cin" meant coming up with all sorts of possibilities that made no sense at all and of course all wrong. THANK YOU Cliff for finally spitting it out, maybe inadvertently, verbally in the first 30 seconds when discussing the first map in the video presentation. Those color coded numbers in that rainfall bar represent "hundredths of an inch", the "c" in "cin" is the roman numeral representing "hundred". Phew, finally I can die now happy. You gotta cut me a little bit of slack here for my inability to make sense of it all. In fact the very notion of using "cin" seems a bit lame and lazy by simply jamming a roman numeral (incorrectly lower case I might add) before an abbreviation for "inch" (in) does seem to be a bit of a stretch even for a shortcut for the average lay person such as myself to figure out. Like so many others, I very much liked the video presentation but also like and appreciate the written narrative as well as with the latter I can study and digest it in detail at my own speed, perhaps at greater speed now that I know the exact meaning of "cin". Maybe both video and written narrative?
ReplyDeleteVery nice indeed! Highly informative, mellow, and lacks screaming hot-tub ads. Thank you Professor.
ReplyDeleteI like it
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for doing this! The time lapse video is super helpful for seeing the weather pattern over the next few days for specific areas that I'm interested in.
ReplyDeleteI prefer the written version because the narrated version takes much more time, and when it is written, I can glance back to reread something I missed or that was not clear. I do like the animated maps, though.
ReplyDeleteAs others have noted, you've got a great face for radio, Cliff. :0
ReplyDeleteBut seriously, excellent video and an elegant presentation. I'm only too happy to watch for 7 minutes when it's so clearly and informatively laid out. Some things take time to understand, and it's tough to deal with folks who just want to look at icons to get their weather.
I thought this was fun and interesting. Your explanations of the different models were great.
ReplyDeleteI like your presentation. The graphics worked wells to make your points and were very understandable. It was easy to see week-long trends that enable those of us dependent on weather, to make our plans accordingly.
ReplyDeleteBeen a follower of yours for years Dr. Mass and your voice is a radio classic. Definitely love the video version and I think you might consider several options including a written blog to support the video with more detail or use the video option for posts that have more significance to you and potentially your readers, e.g., Hurricane Barry and how does the amount of precipitation relate to climate change.
ReplyDeleteI'll try to watch it later, but in general I'm opposed to vlogs. I usually catch up on my rss feeds first thing in the morning, and last thing before I go to sleep, and during neither time can I watch videos without disrupting my wife. Same in the office, I can read, but a video disturbs everyone around me.
ReplyDeleteThe video was great, good pace and your narration was excellent. The length didn't bother me - my life isn't so rigidly structured that I can't take 5+ minutes to listen to valuable information. But I would agree that the video and an in depth interpretation of data be an occasional treat to your blog, maybe when there is such an anomaly as our current July weather or something approaching that people need to prepare for. Your written reports and accompanying graphs and data are also excellent and that way the busy folks who can't listen to a 7 minute video can take their time reading, reviewing, studying and pondering your blog and accompanying data��
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tour, but the why left my hanging. Yes, the pattern is unusual and is cold and wet, by why are we experiencing this unusual pattern? What are the causes?
ReplyDeleteI really like this! It makes it easier to visualize....but I too would hate to loose the text version. Videos are not always as easy to access ....thank you.
ReplyDeleteAs with some other posters generally prefer written, but when we are having a lot of weather (non-normal) it is definitely worth the time for all the information compacted into this weeks 'video'.
ReplyDeleteYour blog always is insightful and much appreciated by this fairly new resident of northwest Oregon. I do prefer the written form, as it allows me to scan through it and get the essentials more quickly, but an occasional video blog would work for me. Thanks for your hard work!
ReplyDeleteThe video was great and super informative. I use your blog often when sailing, as I am now at the north end of Vancouver island. Looks like I’m going to be getting wet!
ReplyDeleteMy only concern is that video uses more bandwidth than text, and cellular data connections can be sparse and slow when away from metropolitan areas. The same concerns apply for those traveling by RV or camping.
I really like this forecast format, Cliff, and you have a great broadcast voice to boot!
ReplyDeleteI like it. Nice to bear your voice again. I watched on my phone, next time I will watch on larger screen.
ReplyDeleteSteve
A Painter
I like it. Maybe make the cursor bigger, and don't move it except when it is highlighting something, otherwise it is distracting. A quick agenda at the beginning and in the youtube link would would be good for reviewing and archival purposes.
ReplyDeleteI found it very informative but you shold use a larger cursor arrow
ReplyDeleteI like it.
ReplyDeleteGreat video. Hope you do more of these into the future, especially for large weather events. The video is more of a lecture format, which for me at least is easier to understand and comprehend.
ReplyDeleteLove the presentation and the opportunity to see the tools at work. A little hard to find and follow the cursor at times.
ReplyDeleteThe only part I don't like is the chance for a wet weekend ahead. A huge weekend for The Museum of Flight at the 50th Anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon Landing - requires our summer weather!
I like the video, because it's good to hear real-time how you interpret the maps. It was a bit long, but I appreciated getting more of your thought process then the written articles.
ReplyDeleteAlso, it would be great for you to post the links within the post to the sites you are visiting because ai'd like to bookmark them so I can visit myself.
I like the video. I like getting your thought process as you look at the maps.
ReplyDeletePlease post links to the sites you are visiting so I can bookmark them.
This was easy to follow as you narrated the weather patterns and effects of it. My husband and I both enjoyed it. With a narration you don't have to look back and forth from the written copy to the graphs and charts.
ReplyDeleteWe also enjoy your written blogs. Both work for us.
I really like it, I hope to see more of these videos in the future. :-)
ReplyDeleteMuch prefer this new approach. So much better for presenting your interpretation and insights.
ReplyDeleteI could quickly become addicted. I’d keep it to 3 to 5 minute range.
ReplyDeleteI join those who prefer the text format for all the reasons they mention. I recently listened to Cliff on the weather feature he has on KNKX. The interviewer mentioned a joke there is about Seattle weather and Cliff responded with another one. Both were very short words and it was impossible for me to figure out what they said. Cliff has a good broadcasting voice but his great blog will not benefit from it, quite the opposite I'm afraid.
ReplyDeleteI would be able to see (or find!) your pointer arrow easier if it was MUCH larger and perhaps in a contrasting color. It's tiny on my laptop screen and almost imperceptible on my phone.
ReplyDeleteLoved it. Came it feeling as though I learned much more than just the forecast. Like I gained an understanding of the more technical aspects which when presented in one of your written posts may go over my head! Thanks for all your work.
ReplyDeleteGreat video! Worked well in a Chrome browser on windows 10 desktop with large screen. Voice quality was very good. Editing was good. That said... including the text would be a bonus! Seems like a wet period ahead. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteSuggest a text summary with clickable animation of 500mb superimposed over precip accumulation. Makes it easier to get the connection of upper air and precip in one glance. Great start Cliff!
ReplyDeleteEl Nino is just getting ripped to shreds...What an anomaly! Wouldn't you agree Mr. Cliff?!?
ReplyDeleteI loved this! The graphics combined with the narration really made this an enjoyable experience. I think this should be a regular part of your blog. I've been following this for years and have purchased your book and have just about worn the print off the page.
ReplyDeleteI often read when I'm in environments that don't allow for audio - bus, work, bed at night. Would be a shame to lose this wonderful access to information because of inaccessibility of video.
ReplyDeleteLove this format, please continue !
ReplyDeleteLove it! Was great to see the maps while hearing the explanation. I think the length of the video was fine. If people cant take 7 mins to watch, they never realy looked at all the maps anyways.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the video delivery, but I'm in the camp of preferring the excellent written reports. If you enjoy the video, you should definitely keep doing it to supplement (not replace) your excellent written posts. Keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteIf you supplement your detailed write-ups with these broadcasts on a regular basis, I think that would just enrich our the average blog consumer's experience even more!
ReplyDeleteI strongly prefer the written version. Please don't dumb down your blog by pandering to the lowest common denominator, which is precisely what a video forecast discussion is.
ReplyDeleteI liked it Cliff. Definitely think you should do more of these.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the once a week (or so) concept. A great addition would be a discussion of the current jet stream.
ReplyDeleteI like the presentation, but....sometimes my time is limited, so an abbreviated verbal presentation would suit me better.
ReplyDeleteLoved it! please continue :)
ReplyDelete