On Fri, 10 Sep 2004 08:09:45 GMT, "Martin Rowley"
wrote:

Can I suggest that my erstwhile colleagues have a look at the Met Office
web site and the various forecasts on that site? As I type this,
youngsters are dodging the rain under umbrellas and skies are leaden:
contrast that with the various output (after many refresh button pushes
.. some of which give different symbols for the same issue time). Also,
if you look at the radar, you will see quite a lot of rain crossing from
the southwest in bands - some of it heavy.

* The national map (labelled 'Daytime' weather) only shows rain
(one-spot at that) over the West Country and D/C: sunshine and cloud mix
father east, with medallions further north. (Hint - have a look at the
latest satellite pictures)

* The regional map for the southeast for 'Daytime' weather shows a mix
of full sunshine and part cloudy/part sun.

* The Bracknell 5-day forecast (remember how may people live in this
area still?), shows sunshine/cloud mix today and strong/full sunshine
for tomorrow ... despite the mention of rain or showers in the
accompanying text.

And if you think I'm being disloyal - not a bit; I am so sad that after
*years* of my complaining, nothing whatsoever has been done about this
...... by your efforts will you be judged.

Martin.


Millions use the BBC site, and will use it for the weather forecast as well.

The site has an attractive postcode selector to enable users to obtain a
forecast for their town or district.

Guess what comes up - the dreaded 5-day summary forecast. Looking at Friday:
Sunny, max 23 degs C as I listen to rain pounding on the tin roof of my
workplace (Coventry). Confidence in BBC forecast - zero. Mr Joe Public shrugs
his shoulders and mutters something to the effect of "they've got all these
fancy computers costing us taxpayers millions, and they can't even get a
forecast for a few hours ahead correct!"

I believe they should drop the 5 day forecasts like a hot potato. My family
look at similar things on teletext and I get tired of telling them that the 5
day forecasts are too brief and of limited value.

Martin (JPG)