By Liz Nolan, Contributing Writer
Northborough – Barry Burbank, veteran meteorologist with WBZ-TV in Boston, visited fourth- and fifth-graders at Marguerite E. Peaslee School Jan. 14. His entertaining and engaging presentation tied into the grade-level science curriculum.
Burbank has been with WBZ since 1978 and currently covers the weekend news time slot. His interest in weather began when he was 4 years old while home in Maine as Hurricane Carol passed through the area with three hours of 100 mph winds.
Later, when he was in fourth grade, the forecast predicted 12 inches of snow and he decided not to do his homework because he thought school would be cancelled. He woke up during the night and the moon was shining brightly – the storm had steered off the forecasted route and didn’t snow at all. Burbank’s message to the students was always do your homework.
Over the years, Burbank has been a part of changes in technology and how weather is tracked. Today, information is instant and immediate, unlike when he first started his career and everyone waited to watch the 6 p.m. news.
The program highlighted discussion on the types of precipitation and the ice storm of December 2008.
Burbank shared a fun behind-the-scenes video filled with comical scenes involving newscasters applying their make-up, green screen tricks and even some bloopers. The video also included a peek inside the WBZ Accuweather lab vehicle.
An enthusiastic question and answer session followed Burbank’s presentation.