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Letter to Editor
July 25, 1961
The Farmville Herald
Farmville, Prince Edward County, Virginia
What is this article about?
Bruce Cheatham defends the science of meteorology and the U.S. Weather Bureau in response to letters praising local forecaster Mr. Rubin's 'lucky' weather predictions, questioning claims of volcanic influences and urging appreciation for scientific complexities in forecasting.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
Meteorologists Forecast By Science
Editor of Herald:
Mr. Rubin, again?
This is in reply to the many letters that I have seen in editorials in recent months about Mr. Rubin. Everywhere I go there seems to be someone praising Mr. Rubin on his "lucky" weather guesses. So I thought it was about time that somebody defended the science of meteorology and the much ridiculed Weather Bureau.
I have heard that he forecasts his "guesses from volcanic eruptions. Well this is all fine and dandy, but please tell me how they just happen to affect the weather in our one little state of Virginia or one little city, say Richmond. In all my studies of meteorology, in which I hope to get a degree next year, have I or anyone else seen anything that would explain this most interesting phenomenon. By the way, what does he mean by his "unusual weather"? There is not a day that goes by in which unusual weather does not occur and I am sure Mr. Rubin did not have a hand in all of them.
It is my suggestion that people just think about the many perplexing scientific facts that have to be considered to be able to come up with a forecast.
So how about thinking of these few thoughts before praising Mr. Rubin or ridiculing the Weather Bureau next time it does not rain on your front yard because the forecast called for rain. This is a big world, you know.
Bruce Cheatham
Green Bay, Va.
Editor of Herald:
Mr. Rubin, again?
This is in reply to the many letters that I have seen in editorials in recent months about Mr. Rubin. Everywhere I go there seems to be someone praising Mr. Rubin on his "lucky" weather guesses. So I thought it was about time that somebody defended the science of meteorology and the much ridiculed Weather Bureau.
I have heard that he forecasts his "guesses from volcanic eruptions. Well this is all fine and dandy, but please tell me how they just happen to affect the weather in our one little state of Virginia or one little city, say Richmond. In all my studies of meteorology, in which I hope to get a degree next year, have I or anyone else seen anything that would explain this most interesting phenomenon. By the way, what does he mean by his "unusual weather"? There is not a day that goes by in which unusual weather does not occur and I am sure Mr. Rubin did not have a hand in all of them.
It is my suggestion that people just think about the many perplexing scientific facts that have to be considered to be able to come up with a forecast.
So how about thinking of these few thoughts before praising Mr. Rubin or ridiculing the Weather Bureau next time it does not rain on your front yard because the forecast called for rain. This is a big world, you know.
Bruce Cheatham
Green Bay, Va.
What sub-type of article is it?
Persuasive
Informative
What themes does it cover?
Science Nature
What keywords are associated?
Meteorology
Weather Bureau
Mr Rubin
Weather Forecast
Volcanic Eruptions
Virginia
Richmond
What entities or persons were involved?
Bruce Cheatham
Editor Of Herald
Letter to Editor Details
Author
Bruce Cheatham
Recipient
Editor Of Herald
Main Argument
the letter defends the scientific rigor of meteorology and the weather bureau against excessive praise for mr. rubin's informal weather guesses, emphasizing the need to consider complex scientific factors in forecasting rather than attributing predictions to luck or volcanoes.
Notable Details
Questions Volcanic Eruptions' Specific Impact On Virginia Weather
Mentions Studies In Meteorology And Upcoming Degree
Highlights That Unusual Weather Occurs Daily