Obscene weather map gets roasted by cheeky viewers: ‘They’re going to get a very hard rain’

New York Post - Mar 14th, 2025

A severe storm system is forecasted to sweep across the Southern United States over the weekend, with meteorological reports predicting powerful winds, giant hail, flooding, and tornadoes affecting over 100 million people. The storm is part of a broader weather system impacting multiple regions across the US, with specific states like Mississippi, Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Missouri, and Tennessee expected to face extreme weather conditions. However, the storm has garnered unexpected humor due to the phallic shape shown on weather maps, sparking light-hearted commentary online despite the serious nature of the impending weather.

This storm system is significant as it poses a substantial risk of power outages, travel disruptions, and potential damage due to severe weather conditions. With wind gusts predicted to reach up to 85 mph across the Midwest, local communities are advised to brace for impact and ensure safety measures are in place. The humorous reactions online highlight a moment of levity amidst serious preparations, but underscore the importance of staying informed and cautious as the storm progresses. The widespread nature of the storm, spanning 1 million square miles and affecting 30 states, emphasizes its potential impact on a vast geographical area.

Power Outages Mississippi Southern United States Severe Storm Weather Forecast Tornadoes Travel Disruptions Meteorological Maps

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

6.2

Moderately Fair

Read with skepticism

The article effectively captures a significant weather event with a mix of factual reporting and social media commentary. While it provides timely information about the storm's potential impact, the focus on humor and viewer reactions may detract from the seriousness of the situation. The use of reputable sources like Accuweather adds credibility, but the reliance on social media content could affect the perceived reliability. Overall, the article is engaging and accessible, though it could benefit from a more balanced presentation of expert opinions and detailed safety guidance.

Accuracy

The article accurately reports on a significant weather event affecting the Southern US. It mentions severe weather conditions, including potential tornadoes, which aligns with known forecasts from reputable sources like Accuweather. However, the article's reference to the humorous shape of the weather map and viewer reactions is less about factual weather reporting and more about social media commentary. The claim that the storm system affects over 100 million people and spans 1 million square miles is consistent with large-scale weather events but would need specific verification from meteorological data.

Balance

The article primarily focuses on the impending severe weather and its humorous depiction on a weather map. While it provides factual weather information, it leans heavily into the social media reactions, which may overshadow the seriousness of the weather conditions. The balance could be improved by including more expert opinions or official statements regarding the storm's potential impact, rather than focusing on viewer jokes.

Clarity

The language is clear and engaging, particularly in the sections discussing social media reactions. However, the article could benefit from a more structured presentation of facts and expert opinions to enhance clarity. The humorous tone may detract from the seriousness of the weather event for some readers, but it does make the article more accessible.

Source quality

The article cites WDAM, a local news station in Mississippi, and Accuweather, a reputable weather forecasting service. However, it also heavily relies on social media reactions, which are less credible and can introduce bias. The reliance on user-generated content from platforms like X (formerly Twitter) may affect the overall reliability of the information presented.

Transparency

The article provides some context about the storm and its potential impact but lacks detailed explanations of the sources and methods used to gather the information. The humorous angle is transparent in its intent to engage readers, but the lack of depth in explaining the meteorological data or verifying the social media claims reduces transparency.