It was not long ago that television weather reports were presented by local personalities standing in front of a marker or chalkboard with a map of the United States drawn on it. To add some spice, small vinyl symbols of the sun and clouds were applied. The local personality was—and for the most part still is—the star. But during the 1980s, a transformation took place. Computers entered the modern television forecast office. This was the beginning of a new era in the forecasting and presentation of TV weather.

In big cities across America, TV weather has become big business. Broadcast meteorologists have always known that "the weather" is one of the most important parts of a local newscast. Weather affects everybody, and reports help people answer important questions such as "Should I wear a coat today?" or "Should I carry an umbrella...