Jeff Bezos Can't Afford a Meteorologist?!

One onlooker said: 'It just goes to show you can have all the money in the world but you cant control the weather - although an Italian saying says a wet bride is a happy and lucky bride.'

The article (above) about the "freak" thunderstorm is here. I strongly suspect that a meteorologist could have alerted them in plenty of time to implement their Plan B (assuming they had one) or at least have avoided getting everyone and their expensive clothing soaked. Unfortunately, weather is the "all purpose excuse."

As I am Italian (yes, really), Mr. Bezos can send a private jet for me. I'll charge only my standard fee. 😉 

P.S. This incident reminds me of going out to eat in Baltimore about this time five years ago. A severe thunderstorm was approaching and, from the Doppler, I knew it would produce damaging winds. So, I told the hostess they had to get the people off the patio as soon as possible. Patio diners were sitting at glass tables with huge umbrellas in the center of each. When the hostess took no action, I asked to speak to the manager. He seemed disinterested. Nothing was done until the squall line arrived.

The 60-70 mph gusts toppled and blew the tables a few feet. The people on the downwind sides were trapped under each table with all of the food on the table spilling and falling on top of the guests lying on the concrete. One woman diner appeared to be significantly hurt as the rain poured down. 

Sometimes it is quite frustrating to be a meteorologist. We can make great forecasts (Hurricane Katrina, the inland flooding from Hurricane Helene, etc.) but if the forecasts are not acted upon, they do no one any good.