weather forcasts

The weather forecasts have been much more unreliable this year.

It's a covid thing - really!

The forecasters use data taken during flights, and of course there have been far fewer flights of late.

*FannyCornforth, I agree. The BBC, in particular, are very inaccurate.

The number of times of l have had the forecast up in front of me showing that the whole day will be dry, while simultaneously the rain is lashing against the window!

I find that they are too general to be of much use, I think that the BBC's online hour by hour is best. I can't remember the national TV forecasts immediately they have finished.

The weather forecasts drive me mad! I work as a gardener so trying to plan my week and tell people when I’m coming is a nightmare. I think hanging a feather from the window is more accurate these days. Seriously looking at whether there is a sunset/colourful sunrise or not gives a good indication of what is to come ?

Use the app NW Storm Radar. That certainly shows the rain on its way - or not!

travelsafar the same thing happened to me yesterday too! Arranged to meet a friend for a SD coffee and stroll, forecast sunny spells, and as I arrived in town the heavens opened! By the time we'd spoken on the phone (both in different parts of town!) and binned it the sun came out! Hey ho, we will meet again!

Why rely on the BBC or any other place - except the Met Office? They're the experts and I find them much more accurate.

Of course, weather moves (!) so sometimes even the Met Office times are a little out.

I thought the BBC weather forecasts were from the Met Office, and data comes from weather satellites rather than aeroplanes.

I agree, but daren’t really say it. There was a similar thread months ago, and someone sniped at me that weather forecasting isn’t an exact science. I agreed, but thought they could have got it right two hours before!

I always have the met office page for my area open on my laptop - just refresh it when I want to check it. I use it all summer so I know whether to put the washing out and find it reasonably accurate.

We're inland though, and I suspect it may be trickier on the coast where wind is much more of a factor.

Aeroplanes collect weather data with every flight. Now that air traffic is drastically reduced, there is less data on which to base forecasts. See here: www.theguardian.com/news/2020/apr/09/decline-aircraft-flights-clips-weather-forecasters-wings-coronavirus?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

It’s a mystery to me that technology is so much better now, but the forecasts are rubbish. Just hang a piece of seaweed out and do your own forecast.

I'm a dog walker and avid weather watcher. I use the Met office website. BBC gets their forecast from the GOV Met office but it's often delayed.
The reason why the forecast is different on the day from the night before is that the wind has probably changed. A friend cancelled a walk the night before we'd planned to meet and the next morning was glorious. Always check as close as possible to the moment I want to go out of the house.

If the commercial channels are sponsoring the weather (as stated, NOT the weather forecast) why don't they insist on better weather???

Thanks for that geekesse I’ve learned something new! I guess the same would have applied for the period following the Iceland volcano eruption.

I find the Met Office hour by hour forecast to be the most accurate, you just enter the name of your town.

I have known it to be sunny here but raining in the next village. On one occasion I was in the front room when it started to rain. ran to get the washing in but it was dry in the back garden. So these forecasts are general and difficult to forecast showers.

I much preferred the old BBC website where you could look at the moving map of rain approaching - and plan your outside time around it.

On Facebook I like the Severe Weather Europe page for interesting alerts and updates.

Also love the Meteo Earth app, which shows developing systems coming this way from across the Atlantic.

I watch with amusement on the BBC tv forecasts as the presenter is facing eastwards and pointing at fhe uk, whilst there is often a huge depression approaching, hidden behind their left shoulder, of which they make no mention!

Thanks Tillywhizz. I’ve just downloaded the app. It’s going to be really useful. X

Like septimia I consult the Met. Office. It's the best forecast around, IMO. (Not always 100% accurate, but then British weather is fickle!)

Yup Septimia - Met office every time!! Here's the link for anyone who'd like to try it. Just put in your own place name. www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/forecast/gcqc7vwut#?date=2020-11-20

Blossoming BBC stopped using Met Office forecasts over a tear year ago. I laugh when BBC is giving details like eg heavy rain on the North Sea area, or sun coming from the west. The coast is hundred of miles long and the west, west if what? Their descriptions are far too vague.

I've used this website for many years and it's fairly accurate.
It's set for my locality but you can get forecasts for other places just by typing in the name.
www.wunderground.com/weather/gb/newcastle-upon-tyne

Even our met. office here in Denmark is highly unreliable.

I once seriously considered sending them a map of the country, when I got tired of hearing that it would be dry all day in the part of the country I lived in, only to look out the window and see the rain belting down.

Today, they predicted rain, which came as no surprise as it had rained for a week. What did come as a surprise was the beautiful sunny, almost frosty, weather!

ps go to 10 day forecast for each and you get temperature rain wind measurements etc.