A European country - Holland or Belgium, I think - fired a key meteorologist for failing to predict a terrible storm in which over 100 citizens lost their lives.
2007-11-23 09:12:09 · 12 answers · asked by FRANsuFU 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Weather
I would have to say in most cases, no.
I would have to have a lot more information on the particular incident. What were the circumstances and was the forecast prepared correctly using the latest information or was it the failure of the human element not seeing the obvious. I have seen a couple of cases where there was room for valid criticism in forecasting, but in those cases, it was more the case of over forecasting a weather event for monetary gain.
Also, would mention that jail is better than one case I know of where the forecaster was dragged out and hanged after not forecasting a heavy rain event that caused a mud flow that killed dozens of people in South America.
Also, I always wondered if England ever revoked that 17th century law that stated, "Death by burning shall be the punishment for the crime of weather forecasting."
2007-11-23 11:32:58 · answer #1 · answered by Water 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If you punish them ,it is not correct.Weather forecast is a very difficult job.With the latest technologies,our past experiences and statistics ,we are slowly advancing in this field and we have to go a long way before attaining perfection in forecasting.Instead of encouraging them ,if you start punishing them no body will like to become a meteorologist.
I give an illustration below.
If a doctor examines a pregnant lady at the third month and gives a date at which the delivery will take place,it will not always be the same date.The delivery may take a few days earlier or a few days later.During pregnancy ,the lady might have been affected by frequent health problems which might have altered the date.For that, can you blame the doctor?
Similarly,if a storm forms over the pacific ocean and a forecast is given predicting the likely path that the storm may follow and in the mean time some country tests an atom bomb secretely in the other part of the ocean,it may alter the course.This is an enexpected event.So,can you blame the meteorologist for this?Like this many unexpected events like eruption of volcano,occurance of earth quake can influece the weather forecast given in the nearby areas.Can you punish the meteorologist for this?
Moreover most of the forecast are free and you are not charged for that.
Hence it wrong to punish a meteorologist if the forecast goes wrong which happens sometimes and not always.
2007-11-23 14:38:33 · answer #2 · answered by Arasan 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
With all the technology today the chances of missing a big storm is slim to none. Meteorologists do not miss major storms and they tend to over forecast any big storms.
2007-11-23 13:26:04 · answer #3 · answered by WR 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No because meteorologist aren't psychics. People make mistakes sometimes. Storms also have minds of their own and can move any which way they want and be as strong as they want to be; change speed direction and strength at any given moment. That meteorologist that was fired, there were probably other meteorologists that could've predicted that storm.
2007-11-23 09:21:08 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Wrongs are for civil court but if a meteorologist was paid to error or lie, then that would be criminal. Proving revenge or malice would be very difficult for lack of material evidence.
2007-11-23 12:59:25 · answer #5 · answered by Psyengine 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Firing for incompetence is one thing, but prison is only for criminals who have broken the law. I don't know of any law broken by incompetent meteorologists.
2007-11-23 14:35:07 · answer #6 · answered by Renaissance Kid 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, You never know what can come up with the weather system, I live on a lake, Erie and we get 3 different weather reports here because of the lake effect.
2007-11-23 11:59:37 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
ABSOLUTLEY NOT!!
then teachers would have to go to jail if their students failed a test, lawyers if they lost a case, doctors if their patient didnt get better as fast as they thought, singers if they did not make the top 100 pro athleats if they got injured????
2007-11-23 14:27:15 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I find that really stupid. Meterologist's jobs are actually really hard! Weather can not be predictable, and they reallytry their best. It's not like they wanted to not warn ppl in order for them to die(i really hope not!)
2007-11-23 09:45:22 · answer #9 · answered by carr 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Of course not!
That is ridiculous!
2007-11-23 15:41:54 · answer #10 · answered by B. 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋