All weekend long, wherever I went, people we happy about this past weekend's weather. More than few suggested that both days were a "10" on the Norman Number scale. I couldn't argue with them and it got me thinking that I should explain a little about this feature in my weather casts: the Norman Number.

Basically, the concept is pretty simple. Suppose a friend said to you that he or she went to a nice restaurant. You want to check it out, so you might as your friend, "On a scale from 1 to 10 with ten being the best, how does this restaurant rank?" Your friend would take into account the service, the menu, the atmosphere, price, etc. Then they'd come up with a number. Well, I'm doing the same thing with the weather. If it's cloudy, dreary and rainy all day, that would be a 2 or 3. If, however, it's bright, sunny and warm, but not too humid, then I'd give it a 10. I take points off if it's too cold or a too windy.

The Norman Number is causing something to happen in the studio that usually doesn't when the weather is happening. For as long as I can remember, the weathercast becomes a time when the anchors check their upcoming scripts, the studio crew prepares for the next segment, checking where their cameras will be positioned. In the control room, people use this time to catch their breath and prepare for the next news item. However, few would actually listen to the forecast. Inevitably, someone would ask me after the news was over, "So what's the weather supposed to be for tomorrow?"

But now, as I begin to describe what the Norman Number will be, everyone is poised. Some have guessed what it will be a begin calling out their number before I say what it is. Once I reveal it, the reaction ranges from high-fives to shaken heads. Some guessed it right and gloat while others disagree and try to figure how I came up with that day's number.

At least no one sleep during the weathercast in the studio anymore. What do you think of the Norman Number? I'd like to know.

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