Hug a meteorologist: It’s National Weatherperson’s Day!

TORONTO – Okay, so the weather hasn’t been so great this week: eastern Canada is getting hit by a massive winter storm, and the west is once again experiencing the deep freeze. But don’t shoot the messenger. Be kind to your weatherperson because today is, after all, National Weatherperson’s Day.

National Weatherperson’s Day commemorates the birth of American John Jeffries in 1744. He was one of the country’s first weather observers and began taking daily weather observations in 1774.

(Yes, it’s American, but we can embrace it here.)

So, instead of blaming your local meteorologist (or weather expert, for example) for the unpleasant weather in your area, remember the good days. Remember the days that he or she makes your day just a little bit brighter by forecasting sunshine for your wedding, your trip to the beach, or your day out to the park.

Remember the days when you were going to plan an outdoor trip but saw the forecast and made other plans.

Remember the snow days, when he or she told you it was probably best to avoid the roads. Or the frigid cold days that he or she told you to wear an extra layer of clothing.

READ MORE: Heavy snow, strong winds hit parts of southern Ontario, Atlantic Canada

Because, let’s be fair: the weather is complicated and nature doesn’t always play by the rules.

Do you know what a warm front, an area of high pressure, a thermal low or a shortwave trough is? Can you tell the difference between an altostratus cloud and a altocumulus cloud?

Well, your meteorologist can do all that and more. They’re not miracle workers: they know the science; the way different systems interact. But nature can throw them a curve ball.

Meteorologists are under-appreciated: without them you’d never be able to plan your daily outdoor activities.

So today, as you’re shovelling or bundled up under that layer of clothing, you can blame Mother Nature for doing her thing, but lay off the meteorologist.