Weather right or wrong, they're pretty much all right -- or all wrong

By ED BARK
As noted in these spaces repeatedly, weather is the big dog in local television news.

It doesn't matter where you live. If foul weather looms -- even a semi-serious sprinkle or double-digit temp drop often qualify -- TV's fearless forecasters are all over it. They tease you at the top of newscasts and then hammer home the highs, lows, fronts and blasts.

Some strip down to their shirtsleeves to heighten the urgency. WFAA8's Pete Delkus is the pacesetter in this competition, although CBS11's Larry Mowry also is quick to throw his coat to the winds. Fox4's Dan Henry tends to stay buttoned up, NBC5's David Finfrock seems to be striving for a happy medium and CW33's Rebecca Miller always stays fully dressed.

When you get right down to it, though, it's all about the presentation. Because the forecasts are pretty much the same -- night after night, day after day.

As proof, I've frame-grabbed Wednesday's extended forecast graphics from Fox4, NBC5, WFAA8, CBS11 and CW33. A lot of viewers of course want to know what Easter Sunday is going to be like. Fox4, NBC5 and CW33 all say we'll reach a high of 80. WFAA8 says it'll hit 81 while CBS11 lowballs it a bit at 78. But really, what's the difference? 81 or 78 -- it'll feel the same.

On the low side, WFAA8, CBS11 and CW33 all say we'll dip to 52 at some point. NBC5 says 51. Unlike his rivals, Fox4's Henry bridges his lows between days. So take or leave his forecast of 62. I'm kind of puzzled by his methods.

There is one other wrinkle. NBC5 offers just a five-day extended forecast while the others go for the full seven-day monty.

Back when he was WFAA8's weather king, Troy Dungan told me that pretty much anything beyond a three-day forecast amounted to pure guesswork. Still, station research showed that viewers liked to look farther into the future. So WFAA8, like the others, accommodated them. But Dungan said that 20 or so years ago, and weather tools and technology no doubt have improved since then.

NBC5's reticence likely dates back to the late, legendary Harold Taft, who didn't like to venture beyond even a one-day extended forecast. Finfrock, a Taft hire and disciple, is keeping the faith as much as possible.

At the outer reaches of their extended 7-day forecasts, Fox4, WFAA8, CBS11 and CW33 respectively say we'll hit Wednesday highs of 75, 76, 77 and 78. Again, what's the dif? Of the three stations that forecast lows, CBS11 has it at 54 while WFAA8 and CW33 go with 55.

Who has the best-looking extended forecast graphic? Well, WFAA8's Delkus has the nicest set of Easter eggs, if you know what I mean. The station also stands out with bolder primary colors while CBS11 could stand to wash some of that blue out. Fox4 is the only one without a station logo in view. That should be remedied. NBC5's is sponsored by Kiwi carpet cleaners. Whatever.

Here are the pictures that pretty much tell the same story, give or take a degree or two. They're presented in numerical order, beginning with Fox4 and ending with CW33. Happy Easter. Looks like a good one.