NBC transmitter (Oct-Dec 1944)

October 1944 3 KILOCYCLE WEATHERMAN KFI Pioneers in Forecasts with Agricultural Interpretations; Charts Distributed DOING SOMETHING ABOUT THE WEATHER— William B. Ryan, general manager of KFI, and Nelson Mclninch, the station's “Noon Farm Reporter,” recently played host to agricultural leaders for the purpose of discussing the KFI weather and temperature chart which enables growers to better interpret summer agricultural weather forecasts and maintain a record of winter frost estimates. Pictured are: (left to right, seated ) Marshall G. Richardson, prominent Southern California poultryman and a member of the State Poultry Improvement Commission ; Floyd D. Young, regional director. United States W eather Bureau; Paul S. Armstrong, general manager of the California Fruit Groivers Exchange, and W illiam B. Ryan. (Standing ) : Carlyle Thorpe, general manager of the California W'alnut Growers Association ; Clarence V. Castle, Los Angeles County Farm Advisor, and KFl's Nelson Mclninch. LOS ANGELES.— For probably the first time weather forecasts with agricultural interpretations are being made successfully. And Station KFI is playing an important part in this public service. It’s a three-way cooperative job. The United States Weather Bureau staff at Burbank makes the temperature and trend forecasts— and with surprising accuracy it may be said. The weather facts are interpreted in the light of agricultural use or crop-hazard by members of the Los Angeles County staff of the Agricultural Extension Service. Then this information is relayed to Station KFI for broadcast by the Noon Farm Reporter. During the season when frost is a hazard a preliminary forecast is given at noon, and then a close-up of what may be expected is given at eight o’clock by Floyd D. Young. It’s a service highly valued by citrus, avocado, truck crop and other agricultural industries of the southland. With the development of agricultural interpretations along with weather forecasts it is necessary to simplify terms so that all may understand. It seemed desirable to make a chart of south California to show the areas that have generally similar climatic conditions. After much study and consultation with many persons a system of arbitrary zones was established. Since the only thing sure about the weather is that it is going to change, it is obvious that a line dividing two zones wrnuld change from day to day. However, zone lines were established on the basis of the most frequent location. A wreather and temperature chart, a deluxe job in four colors, was especially designed. The chart locates the fruit-frost districts of Southern California, provides record forms and tabulated information. The device enables growers to visualize the districts instantly as they are named on KFI ’s nightly frost reports. There’s a form for keeping a permanent record of each night’s forecast. Space is provided for listing two frost stations. Also there is space for recording the 12 o’clock noon “preliminary lowest temperature estimate” which is simple to fill in. By study of the chart, and recording the up-to-the-hour data received through KFI the grow'er receives a visual picture of the weather conditions predicted for his own and nearbv areas and the general weather prediction for the entire section. The climate zones enable growers to standardize terms and areas mentioned in the noon weather forecasts and organize their work accordingly. Value of the temperature forecast information is evident to practically all farm crop producers. Growers of citrus, avocados, walnuts and other tree crops— if the temperature is to be increasingly hot and dry— may need to change their irrigation plans. On the other hand, if severe frosts are indicated, growers of frost-tender crops will have warning to get their heaters and crews in readiness. Should indications point to hot weather, poultry, turkey and rabbit growers will take precautions to provide shade and an ample water supply. Truck crop growers on the prediction of a hot-dry period w ill make sure that their crops have plent\ of water. If freezing temperatures or rain are forecast management plans will be changed accordingly. Sometimes an unexpected period of ver\ hot weather will come along and accelerate the rate of ripening of fruit and vegetable crops and then it is neecssary to get picking and packing operations under way several days earlier than planned. On the other hand cool weather w ill delay operations. Armed with the facts— know ing how the weather is expected to behave— the farmer —fruit grower — poultryman— dairymanvegetable gardener — commercial flower gnnver can do something about the weather. KFI believes that supplying all farmers with weather facts day-by-dav is a very much worth-while public service.