News Station Turns Weather Forecasts Into Charity Donations

A Charleston news station found a creative way to turn daily weather forecasts into real help for local kids in need.

News 4 partnered with Smoak's Comfort Control to launch the "4-Degree Guarantee" in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. Every weekday during their 5 p.m. broadcast, meteorologists make their temperature predictions, and if they get within four degrees of the actual temperature, the HVAC company donates $50 to charity.

For July 2026, all donations are going to Camp Rise Above, a local organization serving Lowcountry youth. The forecast was accurate on July 1st, earning the camp its first $50 donation of the month.

The concept is simple but powerful. Viewers tune in Monday through Friday to see if the forecast hit the mark, turning routine weather updates into moments of community support. When the prediction falls outside that four-degree range, no donation is made that day, adding a touch of suspense to each broadcast.

At the end of each month, News 4 presents the total raised to that month's selected charity. The station rotates which Lowcountry organization receives the funds, spreading support across different causes throughout the year.

The Ripple Effect

This partnership shows how local businesses and media can team up to create consistent charitable giving without asking viewers for a dime. Smoak's Comfort Control gets visibility for their brand while supporting the community, and News 4 gives audiences another reason to tune in daily.

The model also celebrates meteorologists getting it right rather than the usual jokes about wrong predictions. Every accurate forecast becomes a small victory for both the weather team and the charity benefiting that month.

Camp Rise Above will continue collecting donations throughout July, with the potential for up to $1,050 if every weekday forecast lands within the four-degree window. Even on slower months, the steady drip of $50 donations adds up to meaningful support for organizations working to improve their communities.

Weather forecasts just became must-watch TV with a purpose.