Is It Now Time For The Tv Weather Forecast To Be Axed Altogether?

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3745707/They-didn-t-coming-Met-Office-weather-presenters-face-unsettled-outlook-BBC-sacks-forecaster-90-years.html

Seeing that they are persistently wrong with their forecasts and most of us can forecast what the weather for that day is going to be like, by just looking at the sky in the morning, plus the fact that we only just need to check our smart phones for the forecast.

[Islay]

What about those that don't have phones and use the TV forecasts all the time?

[pastafreak]

I'd be lost without Carol Kirkwood in the morning. She's the only one whose forecasts make sense.

[andy-hughes]

I think that the BBC needs to retain its forecasts under its remit as a public service broadcaster.

Of course, they always trot out the Michael Fish hurricane gaff - although really, the judgement of any man who would wear either that jacket or that shirt, never mind both together, should have been questioned at the time!!

[jim360]

They aren't "persistently wrong" -- it's just that, by definition, only the times they *are* wrong are memorable -- and then that memory is often distorted anyway to make the difference even more dramatic than it actually was. Same with telling the forecast for the day "by just looking at the sky in the morning". I mean, really? Depends on how precise you define "forecasting the weather" I suppose. I can look out right now and say that it's going to be cloudy for a while today but couldn't be any more accurate than that -- will it rain? If so when, and for how long, over how wide an area? When, if at all today, will the clouds disappear? I reckon that the average man can answer exactly none of those questions with any real confidence at all. But, of course, if you did, and happened to be right for a change, you would again forget the times you were wrong.

Finally -- the source for the forecast from your smart phones and from the TV is ultimately pretty much the same; either from Met Office Supercomputer calculations, or from some other supercomputer calculations elsewhere. Doesn't change much.

[andy-hughes]

pastafreak - //I'd be lost without Carol Kirkwood in the morning. She's the only one whose forecasts make sense. //

I find everything about her really annoying - from her tight unflattering clothes to her unsuitable hair styles, and most of all, her noisy breath inhalations.

And yes, I don't watch her if it can be avoided!

[-SharonA-]

You get so many conflicting forecasts in one viewing. I can remember one saying, slight showers followed by rain!!!

[andy-hughes]

Weather forecasting is far from an exact science, although increasing technology makes improvements in the averages of accuracy increasingly likely.

The main issue is - it is really hard to predict weather patterns over a small land mass like ours, especially with the seriously variable climate we enjoy.

They do their best in difficult circumstances.

[anotheoldgit]

Islay

/// What about those that don't have phones and use the TV forecasts all the time? ///

Just like those who once depended on Teletext and Ceefax, they will now have to move with the times.

[jambutty]

pasta - my oh quite likes her - never knew why !

[Bazile]

Andy hughes

//I find everything about her really annoying - from her tight unflattering clothes to her unsuitable hair styles, and most of all, her noisy breath inhalations. //

Carol Kirkwood - ''Tight clothes...'' ?
She is extremely reserved , compared to many

Take a look at these weather presenters


http://www.express.co.uk/pictures/celebrity/3112/Sexiest-weather-girls-Carol-Kirkwood-pictures/Mexican-weather-reporter-Susana-Almeida-103636


http://www.express.co.uk/life-style/life/678415/original-sexiest-weather-girls-Yanet-Garcia-Jackie-Guerrido-Susana-Almeida

[Islay]

OK I will tell my 80 year old MIL that.

[jambutty]

Yes I think it's a shame that the elderly have to 'move with the times' when a lot of them don't want too or don't know how too and have nobody to help them !

[anotheoldgit]

jim360

/// They aren't "persistently wrong" -- it's just that, by definition, only the times they *are* wrong are memorable ///

One doesn't have to go too far back, only this year they forecast a Barbecue summer, it rained almost everyday in the first few months of summer.

Then only last week they forecast that a plume of hot air was coming up from Spain, making this week suffer temperatures reaching 95F.

[cupid04]

My OH likes the weather on the telly the day before he plays golf....don't know why...he still goes if it's raining!

[anotheoldgit]

Islay

/// OK I will tell my 80 year old MIL that. ///

I am much older than your MIL and I had to grasp the latest technology.

[jim360]

Ah, but now you are mixing up different types of forecast. And besides, it's also been incredibly hot and sunny for a lot of this Summer too.

Weather forecasts aren't always reliable. But it's a myth to imply that they are somehow totally unreliable, always wrong, or worse than sticking your head out of the window.

[jambutty]

You are much older than 80 aog ?? Wow, I thought you were in your 60's !

[Old_Geezer]

You are seriously suggesting Carol Kirkwood leaves our screen ?!?
Evil AOG, evil evil evil !

[anotheoldgit]

This guy in my opinion is the best weather forecaster ever.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cc5E0_eN7vI

[dave50]

There's a bit too much gushing going on when Carol Kirkwood is on.