When was the weather first broadcast on television

A.� On 11 November, 1936, the world's first television weather charts were transmitted at the start of a trial series. The BBC closed down during the Second World War, but in July, 1949, weather maps with captions�were broadcast again.

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Q.� What is the history of weather forecasting

A.� Meterology may be the world's first science. It wouldn't have taken early man long to realise the sigificance of the skies on life. People in China in the 11th century BC and Egypt a little later observed and studied the weather, but it did not really get under way until the invention of instruments in the 16th and 17th centuries.

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Q.� When did the Met Office come about

A.� The British Meterological Office was founded in 1854 as a very small department of the Board of Trade. By 1861 it was issuing gale warnings to harbour masters. Forecasts to the press began in 1879. On 14 November, 1922 the BBC broadcast the first radio weather forecasts to the public when an announcer read a script prepared by the Met Office. The first regional weather forecasts on the BBC began in March 1923.

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Q.� When did announcers appear on the box

A.� The idea of personalised weather forecasts on BBC television was formed at an executive lunch in 1953 with the then Director General of the BBC, Sir Ian Jacob. An easel and treatment to the walls and background, costing �50, was set up and on 11 January, 1954 ,George Cowling of the Met Office became the first person to present the weather forecasts on British television.

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The broadcast was live and lasted five minutes. The tradition of live broadcasts was maintained and can last anything between 45 seconds and four minutes.

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Q.� How many hours a week are devoted to the weather on TV today

A.� Far more broadcasts are produced each day now. During the week, the BBC estimates there are more than 22 hours worth of weather broadcasts on television.�The BBC Weather Centre, which is based in London, produces around 100 forecasts

every week�as well as additional broadcasts over the weekend for its national and international channels.

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Q.� How does it work

A.� The Meterological Office provides the meterological data and the presenters will prepare the bulletins for television and radio broadcasts. BBC weather is undergoing a major redesign of its output processes. The already complex graphics system will carry more state-of-the-art 3D graphics.

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By Katharine MacColl