Am I the only one that hates the phrase "weather front" especially when
used on tv forecasts? It is sloppy. Either be daring and say "warm front" or
"cold front", or if the BBC dont like that ( too scientific - the proles
wouldn't understand it) - then how about "band of cloud and rain"?

Gripes wrote:
Am I the only one that hates the phrase "weather front" especially when
used on tv forecasts? It is sloppy. Either be daring and say "warm front" or
"cold front", or if the BBC dont like that ( too scientific - the proles
wouldn't understand it) - then how about "band of cloud and rain"?

I've never understood why they do this. To me, a layman, the terms "warm
front" and "cold front" are easily understandable and describe well the
conditions that are going to occur - i.e. there is warmer or colder air
on the way. The phrase "weather front" tells me nothing.
--
Steve Loft, Wanlockhead, Dumfriesshire. 1417ft ASL
http://www.wanlockhead.org.uk/weather/
Free weather softwa http://cumulus.nybbles.co.uk/
Experimental webcam: http://www.wanlockhead.org.uk/webcam.php

You've obviously never heard that phrase "At least it will be mild"
before then?:-p

Luckily, that's one nasty old chestnut that we may actually, for once,
NOT be hearing for a little while yet.:-)

In Slavia, the word "mild" does not exist, in either Western Catholic
Slav, or in Cyrillic, as there is no such known ideology.

D.

In article ,
Gripes writes:
Am I the only one that hates the phrase "weather front" especially when
used on tv forecasts? It is sloppy. Either be daring and say "warm front" or
"cold front", or if the BBC dont like that ( too scientific - the proles
wouldn't understand it) - then how about "band of cloud and rain"?


"Weather front" annoys me too. What other sort of front is going to be
referred to on a weather forecast? (I suppose that in summer one might
get: "It's going to be warm today. A good day to be on Brighton front.")
--
John Hall Weep not for little Leonie
Abducted by a French Marquis!
Though loss of honour was a wrench
Just think how it's improved her French. Harry Graham (1874-1936)

"Steve Loft" wrote
I've never understood why they do this. To me, a layman, the terms "warm
front" and "cold front" are easily understandable and describe well the
conditions that are going to occur - i.e. there is warmer or colder air on
the way. The phrase "weather front" tells me nothing.

It's not as simple as that.

A cold front is often followed by clearer skies, more sun and paradoxically,
higher temperatures during the day.
Agree, after a cold front, the dew point is lower (colder) but Joe Public
can scarcely be expected to understand this technicality.

I am perfectly happy with the bland term "weather front" in public
broadcasts as although not exactly scientific, at least it won't lead to a
misunderstanding as to what weather to expect.

Jack

On Fri, 21 Jan 2005 17:10:07 -0000, "Gripes"
wrote:

Am I the only one that hates the phrase "weather front"

No you're not. I posted about this some time ago and, like you, can
see no reason for it. Also, using the correct terminology saves a
syllable which, in these days of truncated forecasts, could be useful.

Many years ago, when the forecast was allowed an ungabbled rendition
over five minutes, one of the forecasters explained what cold and warm
fronts were and the studio ceiling didn't fall in.

Another hate of mine is 'these lines' when referring to isobars.

We were taught all this stuff at school, in fact the geography master
generated in me my interest in meteorology. Do they teach geography
these days?

--
Alan White
Twenty-eight miles NW of Glasgow.
Overlooking Loch Goil and Loch Long in Argyll, Scotland.
Web cam at http://www.ufcnet.net/~alanlesley1/kabcam.htm

I like the idea that clouds are members of trade unions

"later the showers will become more organised and will demand better sleet
rates on weekends"

I'm also fond of the idea that the rain is wrapped in sealed plastic bags

"A packet of showers will make their way across the South with a mixture of
Cheese & Onion gradually turning to Smoky Bacon as the day progresses"










"Gripes" wrote in message
...
Am I the only one that hates the phrase "weather front" especially when
used on tv forecasts? It is sloppy. Either be daring and say "warm front"
or
"cold front", or if the BBC dont like that ( too scientific - the proles
wouldn't understand it) - then how about "band of cloud and rain"?

Do post-cold front skies lead to higher temperatures? I don't think they do
in winter, as the mildest temps we get are in cloudy warm sectors. Maybe it
is true in summer though.

Jeremy

"Jack Harrison" wrote in message
.. .

"Steve Loft" wrote
I've never understood why they do this. To me, a layman, the terms "warm
front" and "cold front" are easily understandable and describe well the
conditions that are going to occur - i.e. there is warmer or colder air
on the way. The phrase "weather front" tells me nothing.

It's not as simple as that.

A cold front is often followed by clearer skies, more sun and
paradoxically, higher temperatures during the day.
Agree, after a cold front, the dew point is lower (colder) but Joe Public
can scarcely be expected to understand this technicality.

I am perfectly happy with the bland term "weather front" in public
broadcasts as although not exactly scientific, at least it won't lead to a
misunderstanding as to what weather to expect.

Jack

"lawrence Jenkins" wrote in message
...

I like the idea that clouds are members of trade unions

"later the showers will become more organised and will demand better sleet
rates on weekends"

I'm also fond of the idea that the rain is wrapped in sealed plastic bags

"A packet of showers will make their way across the South with a mixture of
Cheese & Onion gradually turning to Smoky Bacon as the day progresses"


Showers discriminate against the west coast.
They 'flirt' with the east coast, which seems rather fun but merely
'peck away' at the west coast.

Col
--
Bolton, Lancashire.
160m asl.
http://www.reddwarfer.btinternet.co.uk
http://www.reddwarfer.btinternet.co....rPictures.html

In message , Alan White
writes
We were taught all this stuff at school, in fact the geography master
generated in me my interest in meteorology. Do they teach geography
these days?

We certainly do!

Both Mike Lewis at Pitsford, just to name but two usw members, champion
the cause in our respective schools.

At Bablake, we teach weather in years 7, 10, 12 and 13 to a
sophisticated level within the geography curriculum - we have proudly
steered several ex pupils into weather related careers, including at the
Met Office!

With a climatological station at the school, weather is certainly at the
forefront school life!!
--
Steve Jackson
Head of Geography
Bablake School
www.nelink.co.uk/users/bws