Deciding the weather forecast is a gamble in itself!

The trip I planned has been challenged by the weather.  I’m not excited to be heading out into snow/freezing rain or any other weather related “slippery” conditions. 

The forecast I had in hand was for 80% chance of precipitation. 

I called my brother, whom I was off to see.  He pulled up his weather app and related to me that the weather showed 10% chance of precipitation.  Sunshine and not clouds.

Who to believe? 

I grew up in a family where my father was a weather forecaster for Environment Canada until he retired in 1983.  His prediction – forecasts were right 80% of the time.  Back when we only listened to one “weather channel”.  Back when most of us looked out the window to see what was coming.  Back when less travel meant less reliance on constant updates.  Back when we lived in the moment as much as in the future.

Now?

Farmers work the fields daily based on weather radar.  We travel more frequently.  Weather forecasting has become as much about alerts as about merely laying out the probable future – as though a forecaster is now the counselor warning of life catastrophes.

And we are conflicted.

Because the centre of authority has shifted.  Where once, in Canada, we relied on a government agency – now we have many vying for the position of authority to speak the forecast.  And there is money in the game.  To say nothing of prestige and power.

I’m still trying to figure out travel plans.  But now the plans include sifting through who to trust amongst many.

Has faith become the greatest priority in our current swirl of world concerns?  In the midst of many storms in life can we find a place where hope is grounded?  How do we chose?