The National Weather Service will no longer use all caps in forecasts

Anyone who’s ever received a text message written in all caps will understand why the National Weather Service decided to quit sending messages that way.

“I feel like they’re yelling at me, they’re angry or something, or all of a sudden I have to match their level of excitement or enthusiasm,” said Paul Tedesco, a resident of Santa Rosa.

“There’s no contrast you know, it just jumps out at you and freaks you, well, freaks me out a bit,” said Tim Maney from Florida.

The National Weather service has been sending their text forecasts in all caps since 1870, as long as they’ve been around. It took so long to switch to mixed case because some clients still used old equipment.

“You know finally, we’re in 2016, we finally have enough of those computer systems that are dead and gone. And now moving forward to something that people are more recognizable with,” said Roger Gass, Meteorologist with the NWS.

Plus, the new style will help the NWS communicate more effectively.

“I mean just like over the phone, you can’t see someone’s facial expressions. And when we do use all caps again, they’ll know that we mean something dangerous is coming as far as weather goes,” said Gass.

Most meteorologists with the NWS may have a tough time adjusting to mixed case after pounding out all caps for years. But by May 11th, it will no longer seem like the NWS is yelling at you.