On the final day of the February ratings period, local viewership levels of Wednesday evening's late newscasts were expected to soar due to forecasts of more winter weather in Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa.Here is what Omaha TV meteorologists were saying on the 9 and 10 p.m. newscasts:
Bill Randby, KETV (Cox Channel 9):
Omaha Metropolitan: 3-6 inches. "Here in the metro, I anticipate snow beginning around 3 a.m. and at 8 a.m., it'll be snowing pretty hard. Snow is going to be a quick shot moving through the Omaha metro area."
Ryan McPike, KMTV (Cox Channel 5):
Omaha Metropolitan: 4-8 inches. "This is going to blow up right along the Missouri River and points to the east. One thing's for sure. We're going to see some real nasty weather by tomorrow morning."
Tyson Pearsall, KPTM (Cox Channel 10):
Omaha Metropolitan: 5-8 inches. "Snow develops between 2 and 3 a.m. A fairly bad morning commute is what I'm expecting."
Jim Flowers, WOWT (Cox Channel 8):
Omaha Metropolitan: 4-6 inches. "Snow could begin as a period of thundersnow for a couple of hours, at least right at the onset. The way things are looking, the band of heavy snow will align itself up and down the Missouri River."
What Students and Parents Wanted To Hear: WOWT and KETV didn't waste any time delivering the news that several schools in Sarpy County would be closed, running their "tickers" right off the top of their newscasts. KMTV did not break the news until 10:05 p.m. and didn't start its ticker until the main weather segment, 13 minutes into the newscast.
'TV Talk' From The Consultants: "Storm Preps" (KETV) and "Team Coverage" (KMTV).
Taking A Big Chance: WOWT reporter Brian Mastre interviewed an Omaha Public School superintendent regarding the chances that the school district would be closed Thursday. Had OPS made a decision Wednesday night (as several districts in Sarpy County did at around 9:45 p.m.), Mastre's two-minute report would have been outdated and irrelevant.
Dreaded Cliche Award: "Calm Before the Storm" (KMTV)
