Oct 11 2012
Earth NetworksSM, the owner of WeatherBug® and operator of the largest weather observing and lightning detection network, is partnering with WFSB Channel 3, the CBS affiliate serving Hartford-New Haven, to exclusively deliver live, neighborhood-level weather information from sensors on public and private K-12 schools and other locations in the WeatherBug network in the state and across the country.
In addition to providing real-time weather data and camera images for the broadcast weather team to share on-air and online, WeatherBug will also be part of WFSB’s Cool Schools initiative, which highlights unique and creative happenings at schools throughout Connecticut.
“Weather is the one thing that affects everyone on a daily basis, so to partner with WeatherBug was just natural for us at WFSB,” says Meteorologist Mark Dixon, who is on the WFSB weather team with Bruce DePrest, Scot Haney, Mike Cameron and Melissa Cole. “We are the only station in the state with live radar, and adding the WeatherBug network to our arsenal of tools only solidifies our position as the market leader in weather.”
“In Connecticut, we have 169 incorporated townships, and teaming up with WeatherBug enables us to be in as many of these towns as possible, delivering relevant weather information from communities across the state in real-time -- something no one else in the market can do with such a dense network of stations,” continues Dixon. “Not only can we tell people what is happening in our great state, but we can also show them using WeatherBug’s HD cameras strategically positioned throughout the viewing area.”
Rather than simply providing weather data from sensors at distant locations such as airports, WeatherBug’s professional-grade sensors are located where people live, work and play. Earth Networks - WeatherBug weather sensors are located throughout the country at 10,000 K-12 schools, universities, county and state buildings, and popular sites such as parks and sports stadiums. The sensors report weather conditions every two seconds and provide live weather data 24/7.
WFSB is the latest network affiliate to join the WeatherBug Broadcast Program, a growing group of stations throughout the U.S. that exclusively use data from the WeatherBug network within their respective markets. Additionally, viewers can also access weather information, forecasts and severe weather alerts using WeatherBug mobile apps for smartphones and tablets, and by using the WeatherBug application for desktop computers.
WFSB Channel 3 WeatherBug Schools Program: Schools in Connecticut can join the new WFSB Channel 3 WeatherBug Schools Program and be part of a network of thousands of schools nationwide. Schools that join through the purchase of a weather station and camera can have their weather information and images used on-air during WFSB news broadcasts. Schools in the program also use WeatherBug Achieve web-based software, which supports K-12 science, technology and math (STEM) curriculum with hands-on classroom lessons. Weather data from the school’s own station, combined with severe weather alerting, provide school faculty and staff with the critical information necessary to make important transportation and safety-related decisions. Schools interested in joining the WeatherBug Schools Program can learn more by visiting www.weatherbugschools.com or emailing [email protected].
The WeatherBug Broadcast Program connects television stations with local schools and the community to provide students and the public with hands-on access to real-time weather information.