The Met Office - not fit for purpose?
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Manchester
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I see it this way, last week when the snow hit they advised us the day before of "flurries"..... overnight we got 8 inches of snow, followed the next night by -16oC with it only getting as high as -6oC the following day. The met office didnt see this coming and were left again with eggs on their face.
Fast forward to this weekend and they thought....here comes another front, best put out an extreme weather warning for the SE just incase...of course it didnt happen, thing is though nobody minds when it doesnt happen as no disruption has been caused.
On the subject of the BBC, I have not seen them get a weather forecast right on the internet for years...its a complete shambles and I dont know why they bother...this is the forecast for the next 4 days...lets see how correct it is.....
Mon Day weather Sleet
Max 2°C 36°F Min 0°C 32°F Easterly5mph 8km/h 91%
1021mB
Tue Day weather Grey Cloud with sleet forecast for 15:00
Max 1°C 34°F Min -1°C 30°F East South Easterly18mph 29km/h 78%
1005mB
Wed Day weather Light Snow
Max 2°C 36°F Min -1°C 30°F East South Easterly20mph 32km/h 92%
999mB
Thu Day weather Grey Cloud
Max 1°C 34°F Min -2°C 28°F South South Westerly12mph 19km/h 98%
1005mB
Fast forward to this weekend and they thought....here comes another front, best put out an extreme weather warning for the SE just incase...of course it didnt happen, thing is though nobody minds when it doesnt happen as no disruption has been caused.
On the subject of the BBC, I have not seen them get a weather forecast right on the internet for years...its a complete shambles and I dont know why they bother...this is the forecast for the next 4 days...lets see how correct it is.....
Mon Day weather Sleet
Max 2°C 36°F Min 0°C 32°F Easterly5mph 8km/h 91%
1021mB
Tue Day weather Grey Cloud with sleet forecast for 15:00
Max 1°C 34°F Min -1°C 30°F East South Easterly18mph 29km/h 78%
1005mB
Wed Day weather Light Snow
Max 2°C 36°F Min -1°C 30°F East South Easterly20mph 32km/h 92%
999mB
Thu Day weather Grey Cloud
Max 1°C 34°F Min -2°C 28°F South South Westerly12mph 19km/h 98%
1005mB
Join Date: May 2001
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That BBC Interview referred to in post #157 is available YouTube - Daily-Politics-Met.mov
Make your own opinion, it helped me maintain mine!
Make your own opinion, it helped me maintain mine!
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Not a million miles from EGTF
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I can't help thinking the Met Office will be really grateful for a period of settled weather, given the kicking they've been having recently.
Yesterday we were sent home early to miss the forecast snow only to find very heavy rain which melted the ice nicely.
20 miles away there was around 8" of snow (sorry, but I don't use centimetres). I did note though that in the forecast they did subtly change the snow forecast during the day to above 200m (talk in feet why don't you....
)
Today we had a strong warning (now reduced) of icy roads. Nah...
It spoke of a gradual thaw. Nah, it was bl**dy quick.
Something has gone horribly wrong with the forecasting ability of the MO and I contend it is the fact they don't look out the window, preferring to play with the computers.
Yesterday we were sent home early to miss the forecast snow only to find very heavy rain which melted the ice nicely.
20 miles away there was around 8" of snow (sorry, but I don't use centimetres). I did note though that in the forecast they did subtly change the snow forecast during the day to above 200m (talk in feet why don't you....
)Today we had a strong warning (now reduced) of icy roads. Nah...
It spoke of a gradual thaw. Nah, it was bl**dy quick.
Something has gone horribly wrong with the forecasting ability of the MO and I contend it is the fact they don't look out the window, preferring to play with the computers.
Red On, Green On
Join Date: May 2004
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Benson/EGUB often experiences very cold overnight temps in winter with a slow-moving high pressure system, and yet there seems to be no short/long term memory of this in the Met Office. I have noticed when the high is barely moving for days that the min overnight temp forecast twelve hours ahead is 5C higher than that subsequently recorded, even when the night just gone was similarly cold.
Garbage in Garbage out springs to mind, but perhaps they are just stupid
Garbage in Garbage out springs to mind, but perhaps they are just stupid
Pilots' Pal
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Sunday Times talks of the BBC looking for another provider
Thought police antagonist
Join Date: Jul 2003
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Francis Wilson in this weeks ST states the smart money is on the development of a Scandinavian High ....with all that implies for an Easterly airflow and subsequently bitter February after this coming mild weekend
Nothing from the Met. Office however......as yet.
It will be interesting to see what transpires given Mr Wilson's little piece in the ST every weekend is invariably quite accurate.
Nothing from the Met. Office however......as yet.
It will be interesting to see what transpires given Mr Wilson's little piece in the ST every weekend is invariably quite accurate.
Join Date: Aug 2003
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They've done it again.
The weekend was supposed to have been one of damaging gales and floods. It wasn't where I am, as the storm tracked further south. We saw it happening a day before it was reflected on the weather warning but the warnings weren't changed until after it had happened.
The weekend was supposed to have been one of damaging gales and floods. It wasn't where I am, as the storm tracked further south. We saw it happening a day before it was reflected on the weather warning but the warnings weren't changed until after it had happened.
Last edited by robin; 28th Feb 2010 at 23:32.
