The Importance of Consulting a Meteorologist
Every summer, numerous outdoor events occur such as festivals, concerts, sporting events and other forms of entertainment. The weather is warm and the sun remains in the sky longer than any time during the year, making it a great time to attend an event outdoors. However, with any planned event outside there remains a risk of hazardous weather. Summertime heat can make a refreshing day at the ballpark more toasty than in the spring. Pop-up showers and thunderstorms ignited by the atmosphere can quickly turn a sunny day into a wet, soaking mess with lightning moving quickly across the sky. If the atmosphere really becomes unstable, then severe weather may occur, especially on days where enough instability, moisture and wind shear are triggered by a lifting mechanism. When the weather turns from sunny to stormy, outdoor event planners will often consult a professional meteorologist experienced in analyzing the atmosphere and communicating complex data in a simple accurate weather forecast.
Recently, a concert in Pittsburgh, PA was canceled due to severe thunderstorms. However, at the exact time of the performance, the conditions were perfect for singing in Acrisure Stadium. While there is debate over who was watching the weather for this event, it emphasized the importance of having an expert on call in case of inclement weather.
The best practice for promoters and performers is to consult with an expert private forecaster such as Brett Zweiback, Owner of Spot-on Weather, LLC and his staff. He is an on-call meteorologist whose expertise lies in the media and production industry. Every day, Brett delivers accurate, “spot-on” forecasts to clients, informing them of the expected weather during their shoot. I currently work for Brett as a Freelance Operational Meteorologist, delivering the exact same accurate forecasts film producers depend on for shooting movies and shows. Brett also produces weather forecasts for significant public events such as fireworks displays, concerts and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade. Additionally, Brett serves as a forensic meteorologist, helping to reconstruct past weather for individuals involved in accidents, such as slip-and-fall injuries on ice. During my internship with Sinclair in the summer of 2025, I had the great pleasure of catching up with Brett, and interviewing him alongside podcast host Emily Gracey about his fascinating journey. You can listen to this podcast by clicking here.
Ultimately, the best practice for outdoor event planners is to consult with an expert private forecaster such as Spot-on Weather. While the concert that occurred was not as impactful as the battle in the film Pressure, there are consequences every day for being wrong about the weather. It is absolutely necessary, regardless of the importance of the event, to consult an expert meteorologist with professional experience.
