GMB weather presenter Laura Tobin defends ‘overly dramatic’ Hurricane Florence reporter using science

Mike Seidel, a meteorologist and reporter from the Weather Channel, has come in for a fair bit of a mockery recently after being painted as overly “dramatic” during his coverage of Hurricane Florence.

A video of Seidel went viral last week apparently showing the reporter struggling against strong winds, while two guys seemed to walk past nonchalantly in the background.

So dramatic! Dude from the weather channel bracing for his life, as 2 dudes just stroll past. #HurricaneFlorence pic.twitter.com/8FRyM4NLbL

— Tony scar. (@gourdnibler) September 14, 2018

And he Oscar goes to pic.twitter.com/KTuS6ar1cI

— Kattrin Bee (@KattrinBee) September 14, 2018

Try standing on the other side of the street….it’s less stormy. ????????????

— Jeff Garner ???????????????????? (@McGuffieLad) September 14, 2018

But Laura Tobin, a weather presenter on ITV1 breakfast show Good Morning Britain, has leapt to the defence of Seidel, saying that there might have been a more complicated, scientific reason for his battle against the wind.

Why I stand by @mikeseidel nearly being blown over in #HurricaneFlorence when 2 men casually walked behind.

????If he was standing downwind of a building, he could have been caught in eddies (whirl of air) causing turbulence, where as the flow was straight down the street behind! pic.twitter.com/jyvlhzHfwS

— Laura Tobin (@Lauratobin1) September 17, 2018

Tobin’s theory is that Seidel could have been standing downwind of a building, which would mean that he could have been caught in eddies, causing turbulence, making the wind much stronger and more unpredictable where he was standing than where the two men strolled by.

It would make sense, of course – if it indeed is true.

In a statement, the Weather Channel also defended the reporter, saying:

“It’s important to note that the two individuals in the background are walking on concrete, and Mike Seidel is trying to maintain his footing on wet grass, after reporting on-air until 1:00 a.m. ET this morning and is undoubtedly exhausted.”

Whatever the reason, maybe we should all just go easier on people risking their lives in the midst of hurricanes.

Good Morning Britain airs weekday mornings on ITV1 from 6am to 8:30am