The reign of KSHB proclaiming it has “Kansas City’s most accurate weather forecasts” the past nine years is officially coming to an end in April, Bottom Line has learned.

WeatheRate, an independent forecast verification company, has now awarded its “Seal of Approval” to KCTV and its StormTrack 5 Weather Team as having KC’s most accurate forecasts.

KSHB and its popular head meteorologist Gary Lezak had held the title since 2003.

The KCTV team is headed by chief meteorologist Chris Suchan and includes meteorologists Gary Amble and Tom Wachs. The trio has more than 50 years experience in weather forecasting.

The StormTrack 5 Weather Team was determined to be the most accurate in a station-by-station comparison over the 52-week period from March 1st 2012 through February 28th 2013.

“I’m proud of the team because it means we are getting it right consistently,” said Suchan. “In this part of the country Mother Nature throws a lot at you and conditions can change very quickly. We work hard to make sure our viewers know what to expect when they walk out their doors.”

Suchan can be seen weeknights on the Meredith-owned CBS affiliate at 4 pm, 5 pm, 6 pm and 10 pm as well as at 9 pm on sister station KSMO-TV. Amble lends his skills to KCTV5’s morning show “It’s Your Morning” weekdays from 4:30 am to 7 am, and Wachs handles all the weekend evening shows for KCTV5 and KSMO-TV.

The StormTrack 5 Weather Team provides 24/7 coverage on-air on KCTV5 and KSMO, as well as KCMO Talk Radio 710. They can be found on-line at Kansas City’s leading website KCTV5.com and through the station’s mobile app available (free to Iphone and Android users).

KCTV has been teasing the news of its victory in station promotions and will officially announce it in April to viewers. KSHB began removing the WeatheRate title as “Kansas City’s Most Accurate Forecast” this month.

Ironically, Suchan came to KCTV in October 2011 from the fun and sun of St. Petersburg, FL, and seems to have adjusted well to KC’s ever-changing weather. He replaced Katie Horner, who departed the station after 17 years and is currently in St. Louis.

WeatheRate compares local TV weather forecasts with observed conditions to reveal who’s the most accurate and allows the top-rated station in each market to pay a fee to advertise the “Seal of Approval.”

If the top-rated station declines to pay the WeatheRate fee then no station in the market can use it. Once KCTV was named the winner for this year there was little doubt the CBS affiliate would not claim the title.

“I believe we have the best weather team in town. These guys are dedicated, knowledgeable and love what they do. This certification shows the care they take putting together their forecasts,” said KCTV 5 News Director Blaise Labbe.

“They’re committed to getting it right and making sure our viewers are informed with the best information available.”

The Kansas City Star’s Tim Engle reported on the change (4/4) and Suchan and Lezak seem to have differing views on the margin of victory by KCTV.

“The WeatheRate scores, by the way, are said to be like golf scores, the lower the better,” wrote Engle. “Lezak says KSHB lost the top spot to KCTV by 0.38 points. That’s close, he says.

Suchan disagrees: “In WeatheRate land that’s actually a pretty decent margin (of victory).”