Saturday, 6 March 2010

Met Office Announcement and Not Before Time




The Met Office is scrapping its long-term weather forecasts. Yes you read that correctly.

In what will widely be seen as an embarrassing climbdown, the Devon-based weather centre insisted the move came in response to public poling. (Nobody ever polls me.)

"Our research suggests the public aren't interested in seasonal forecasts but they do want monthly forecasts," a spokeswoman insisted.

Rather an obtuse way of saying 'the public cottoned on too quickly to the fact that our long-range forecasts were rubbish' don't you think.




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8 comments:

  1. Clarinda6 March 2010 at 15:29

    The only vaguely accurate weather reports are those that reflect on the weather we've just had the day before.

    I tend to find looking out of my window is suffice and retaining my liberty bodice until May is oot.

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  2. Dramfineday6 March 2010 at 16:00

    Ha, Ha, thank you Clarinda - I'd fogotten about Liberty bodices!

    As an occasional hillwalker, I find their local mountain area forecast pretty good for up to a week ahead.

    Trying to F/Cast a quarter ahead dosn't seem to work too well

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  3. Oldrightie6 March 2010 at 16:25

    I blame climate change!

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  4. subrosa6 March 2010 at 18:05

    Auch Clarinda, I can see you were well brought up too. Nothing like the old liberty bodices were there. They certainly kept out the sea breezes in Dundee.

    My granny used to say 'Ne'er cast yer bodice til June is on us' - or something similar. :)

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  5. subrosa6 March 2010 at 18:07

    I'm told the hill walking reports are reasonably accurate Dram but only the specific ones. Where I am the Met are so seldom right I seldom bother with forecasts. The local farmers are much better at reading the clouds.

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  6. subrosa6 March 2010 at 18:08

    You would wouldn't you OR! Now surely you know by now weather and climate change are two different natural occurrences. They're NOTHING to do with each other. Haven't you been listening??

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  7. Richard6 March 2010 at 21:48

    In the article I read, the excuse was that 'forecasting ahead more than a few weeks (i.e. the seasonal forecasts) is a very young science' and they don't always get it right. No mention of public attitudes or polling results.

    And these are the people who said 'the science is settled' over global warming forecasts for decades and even centuries ahead.

    Red faces, I hope.

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  8. subrosa6 March 2010 at 21:55

    Aye, that was the excuse a couple of weeks ago Richard. This is the latest one. No mention of the polling organisation either.

    Red faces? I doubt that. They'll apply for early retirement, trot off with a gold handshake and live happily ever after on their pensions.

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