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11:00:
My day begins. Here at Look East we don't actually have the technology
to forecast the weather so my information is provided by Weather
Quest.
It
is a local company service based at the University of East Anglia
in Norwich. Every morning they fax me briefing charts. These
show what symbols I should use and they also have a brief synopsis
of what the weather is going to do.
Julie
puts together the forecast. |
I then
pick up the telephone and have a detailed briefing with the Weather
Quest forecaster.
After
that I sit down at my computer and put my charts together. These
need to help tell the weather story as simply and as clearly as
possible. At this time I also work out what I'm roughly going to
say.
Unlike
the news presenters, I don't read off an autocue and I have to memorise
the forecast. About half an hour before the lunch time broadcast
I decide what to wear and then it's off to get changed and put some
make-up on.
13:30:
Next stop - the studio. The length of the forecast often depends
on how much time is left at the end of the programme. It's my job
to make the words fit whatever duration I'm given.
The
timings and instructions are given to me via an earpiece just before
the programme and while I'm presenting. Sometimes it's a bit distracting
and rather like rubbing your tummy and patting your head at the
same time!
After
the forecast it's off to grab some lunch and then I'll sit and respond
to any letters and queries received in the morning's post. The British
really are obsessed with the weather and as there's only one of
me, they do have a habit of piling up!
In
the afternoon I can also be asked to go and film a trail or a headline.
These let people know what will be coming up in that night's Look
East and are broadcast before or during the programme.
16:30:
It's time for another chat with Weather Quest to find out if the
weather is behaving itself and if I need to make any changes to
the story and my charts.
Julie
gets ready for the programme. |
I always
try to stress to people that forecasting is not an exact science
and that the weather can have a last-minute change of heart!
Between
16:55 and 18:00 I link up with seven of the BBC local radio stations
to give them their evening forecasts. After that it's a bit of a
dash to check graphics and what pictures will appear at the top
of my forecast and to put on some more make-up!
18:30: Look East is on air.
19:00:
The red light is off and it's time to go home. It's always eyes
skywards as soon as I'm out of the door just to make sure the rain
hasn't arrived a little earlier than expected!
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