Does weather fascinate you?
If so, Environment Canada wants your help.
Meteorologist Terry Lang said a shortage of weather stations in certain parts of the province means forecasters have been unable to get all the data needed to issue the most detailed weather roundups possible after rain or snow. An attempt to get the full picture of what happens during and after weather events has led to the establishment of Twitter hashtag #SKStorm.
“The weather afficianados and armchair meteorologists go on there and share, you know, photos and measurements and that type of thing, and we appreciate them,” said Lang.
Lang said forecasting the weather is one thing but direct witness accounts can give meteorologists a better understanding of certain aspects of a storm such as the amount of precipitation that fell and what areas may have received more accumulation. Every little bit of data helps.
“We really do lack observations in that area so I’d sure like to get any reports if people want to go to Twitter and help us out,” Lang said.
Environment Canada has relied on volunteer networks in the past to help gather more information that can lead to detailed and accurate forecasts, Lang noted.