What is the AMS Radio and Television Seal of Approval?
Not everyone presenting forecasts on radio or television is a trained meteorologist. Some are simply broadcasters who “rip and read,” hopefully without their own embellishments, forecasts prepared by the National Weather Service or a private forecasting company. But there are many professional meteorologists working in the media. In order to help the viewers identify those weathercasters who indeed have the training, experience, and judgment to communicate the complex weather information in a professional and reliable manner, the American Meteorological Society has established its Seal of Approval. There are separate seals for radio and television. Each weather- caster presents their credentials and sample programs to a review board of his or her peers that accepts or declines their petition. Once granted, the Seal must be renewed periodically, encouraging the broadcasters to be involved with continuing education courses and upgrading the quality of their presentations.