Hey Mr. Weatherman, Is This [insert unusual weather event here] Related to Global Warming?

TV weathercasters are, potentially, an important source of information climate change education in that large segments of the public regularly watch local TV news, their primary motivation is to learn the weather forecast, and they see their weathercaster as a credible source of information about global warming. Moreover, the majority of local TV weathercasters feel that providing information about the local manifestations of climate change is consistent with their role, but relatively few currently provide this information in any systematic way during their broadcasts. This presentation will use data from two recent national surveys -- one with weathercasters and the other with the general public -- to explore the potential of TV weathercasters as a nationwide cadre of informal climate change educators. We believe the nation's weathercasters are ready and willing to embrace this new role, but will require some assistance to be successful.