Ken Ruinard / Greenville News / Gannett USA Today Network / USA TODAY NETWORK
There was once a time when The Weather Channel was a pretty invaluable resource, but that’s no longer the case in a world where most people can instantly access all of the information they’re looking for in an app on their phone. However, the outlet has done a fantastic job giving people some extra incentive to visit its website with a throwback forecast that will transport you back to a different time.
On Wednesday, I rolled up to my weekly bar trivia game and was greeted by a television that was tuned into The Weather Channel’s coverage of the Artemis II launch.
That ended up sparking a discussion about why an outlet that is devoted to weather was covering an event that doesn’t really have anything to do with it; the only connection anyone could really make was that the Moon, the mission’s ultimate destination, influences tides, which can impact weather to some degree.
That also sparked a discussion about the need for a channel devoted to weather in a day and age where the vast majority of people are getting their information from the internet, as well as a fairly cynical argument that it relies on human suffering for ratings when you consider its coverage of hurricanes, tornadoes, floods and other natural disasters are the only things that really make it appointment viewing.
Unbeknownst to me, that conversation unfolded on the same day The Weather Channel added a brand new feature to its website, and I have to say I’m very glad it still exists thanks to the giant dose of nostalgia I received after stumbling across it.
The Weather Channel unveiled a jazz-fueled retro forecast option on April Fools’ Day, but it may be here to stay
The Weather Channel launched all the way back in 1982, and as the name suggests, it was initially devoted to covering meteorological developments in the United States before slowly but surely evolving into its current Docutainment Era.
Prior to the rise of the internet, it was the go-to source for people who knew they could rely on the “Local on the 8s” segment to get a brief look at the current conditions and short and long-term forecast with the help of fairly primitive graphics and the kind of music you’d be expected to be treated to when you get put on hold.
On Wednesday, the outlet announced it was going back to its roots with the “RetroCast” option that was seemingly rolled out in conjunction with April Fools’ Day but should absolutely become a permanent staple now that it exists.
The webpage automatically triggers “on the 8s” (although you can manually start it any time) and features an approximately 100-second segment that provides you with information including the current temperature and weather in your area, an extended forecast, and the local radar—all backed by some saxophone-centric smooth jazz.
Nailed it.