By Don Munsch
Amarillo Globe - News
Wednesday, October 23, 2002

KAMR-TV chief meteorologist Keith Monday likes his "exciting new play toys."

His "play toys" will get a debut on today's 10 p.m. newscast.

Channel 4 is a beta test site for new equipment, called True View, that will enhance the station's ability to predict weather. Station officials said KAMR is the first station in the nation to use the equipment. Fox 14 also will use the equipment on its telecast today after the World Series game.

The equipment, manufactured by Weather Services International, based in Billerica, Mass., allows station meteorologists to better pinpoint weather developments, especially severe weather.

"A lot of times you'll see the weather guys do weather cut-ins, and you'll see the map and they'll be at the computer and you'll see the mouse moving on the screen and all that - they'll be drawing stuff," Monday said. "This system allows us to do all that while we're on the weather map, interactively, live on the air. (Previously) if I'm doing a cut-in, I go off-screen and draw a storm track box. Now I can be on the wall, draw that with my finger and there it is right there on the screen."

Monday used phrases such as "cutting edge" and "state of the art" to describe True View, which he sees as the future of weather predicting.

"We've never been able to do this, because, ironically, the speed of the computers has never been able to be fast enough to do what we wanted to do," said Dale Woods, KAMR general manager.

The technology allows meteorologists, for example, to move a finger and get a weather feature - such as a cold front - to appear instantly on a map. The system has enhanced features that allow forecasters to pinpoint where a weather pattern, such as rain or a tornado, is in relation to a specific street in town. Live temperatures can be shown interactively, Monday said.

Monday said True View replaces the station's current Doppler radar display system, and the new level of detail will be upgraded.

"We've actually had the system in house for two weeks now, and we've been putting together all the bells and whistles, making sure everything works properly, setting up all of the attributes that need to be done ahead of time," Monday said.

Monday said the station acquired True View because KAMR wanted to upgrade its weather graphics vendor and weather graphics system. WSI visited the station and demonstrated its products, including its new product.

"This is something that five, 10 years down the road is going to be the standard," Monday said. "We're jumping on it at the head end of it, which is exciting."

Station officials said True View helps viewers get a better understanding of weather in their area, explaining that it will come in handy during severe weather coverage when timing is essential for viewers.

"It's something that's a lot more visually pleasing, but also it's something that can give them a lot more information a lot quicker," Monday said.