IO540,
It's not just a call. Transiting the zone you are probably asked to squawk specific codes, fly specific altitudes, fly specific vectors, or re-route slightly, after which regain your original track, while obtaining a radar info service. All good flying/RT practice and experience for a student PPL, IMHO.
Guess I just must have caught them on a bad day re the weather request. Couldn't have been more helpful when I reached and transited the zone though.
But I ask again - does anyone actually know what a Phase III Bravo weather status means - just to demonstrate my initiative to my instructor.
G