On Nov 27, 3:15*pm, "Alan Murphy" wrote:
"Martin Rowley" wrote in message

...http://www.metoffice.com/weather/seasonal/2009/winter/

Martin.

Martin Rowley

Let me guess. A barbecue winter?

In all seriousness though, after last summer's debacle over BBQs, the
UKMO clearly thinks a couple of bar charts with bare figures will help
the public to grasp the fact that there are large uncertainties in
seasonal forecasting. But they have to be more entertaining than that
if they are to grab people's attention. I suggest something like: Tell
the kids they have a 20% chance of a building a snowman. I am sure
other ng members can help the MO out with some punchy headlines,
although I fear employees have had the hard word put on them not to
stick their necks out. Chickens!
On another point,
the highest probabilty given of a 50% chance of a mild winter (global
warming and all that) could be thought to increase the the probability
of wetness. This is not reflected in the precipitation forecast. Just
shows the silly idea that a warmer atmosphere which 'holds' more water
vapour will automatically give more rain is grossly simplistic, but
nevertheless is continually churned out by all and sundry.

Len Wood
Wembury, SW Devon