South Bay : Live, From Avalon, It’s the ‘Cat Cam’ Weather Report

Catalina Island will be soon be leading the morning newscast on KNBC when the station installs a camera overlooking Avalon Bay.

The “Cat Cam” will provide KNBC with a backdrop during its morning weather report and help the station provide more accurate weather forecasts.

“I’d say it’s worth about a million dollars in advertising for Catalina,” said Avalon Mayor Ralph Morrow Jr., who also happens to owns Catalina Cable Co., where the camera will be installed. “This will be really wonderful for the town.”

KNBC weatherman Christopher Nance, who spent two years lobbying KNBC for the “Cat Cam,” said the station hopes to have the island’s first robotic camera operating in two months.

“Most storms hit late at night or early in the morning and tend to hit Catalina first,” Nance said. “With the camera we can show viewers exactly where the storm is.”

In addition to providing weather information, the camera, which pivots 360 degrees, will capture a view of the coast from Santa Barbara to Newport Beach, and the daily sunrise and sunset on the island.