Calling It Like It Might Be

Yeah, sure, weather predicting is now much more accurate (“Weirdest Science,” by Charles Fishman, Jan. 14). Any Angeleno can tell you that current local weather forecasters are unable to foretell the weather correctly most of the time. Perhaps these meteorological Neanderthals will read Fishman’s article and be convinced that utilizing all the wonderful new technology is the path to accuracy.

Don Rankin

La Crescenta

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Decades ago, Dean Blake, weather forecaster at Lindbergh Field, San Diego, told me: “The best estimate of tomorrow’s weather is that it will be the same as today’s--and there is only a 50% probability it will be right. Any prediction out to the fifth day has a 5% probability of fulfillment.” I believe that weather forecasting has not improved significantly in the more than 50 years since that conversation.

Louis M. St.Martin

Pomona