BS: Weather forecasts UK

Subject: BS: Weather forecasts UK
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 09 Jul 10 - 11:53 AM

I hesitate to raise this again, as just before I went away to Skagen, I mentioned the disconnect between the perception of weather patterns, based on local experience, and lack of detail in weather forecasts.
My comment which was a moan about the parochial aspect of weather forecasting in general, was taken amiss, by a Miss [or Mrs]
For instance, today they forecast high temperatures in the south east of England, while here in my part of the highlands, it was 12.5C and pouring rain this morning, and it's been showery on and off all day.
I have known John Humphries on the Today programme say, the weather today is generally warm, when it was freezing cold here.
In general the weather forecasting for this area is crap, as they say north east Scotland, meaning the Aberdeen area, usually. Then they say the north west, meaning Ullapool Lochinver and Kinlochbervie, [allegedly]. I am only 55 miles fron Lochinver, yet they give another guess, for the north of Scotland, now WTF does that start? They don't seem to specify the real north east, ie, John O' Groats and Wick, down to Dornoch and Invergordon. Dornoch is only 30 miles away from me.
Sometimes I wonder why they bother with a weather forecast, it's quicker looking out the window.
Am I the only one who gets pissed at the poor weather forecasting?

Subject: RE: BS: Weather forecasts UK
From: Mrs.Duck
Date: 09 Jul 10 - 12:09 PM

Well let's be honest even if they give a detailed local forecast they invariably seem to get it wrong!

Subject: RE: BS: Weather forecasts UK
From: Ann N
Date: 09 Jul 10 - 12:52 PM

I've used the MetCheck site http://www.metcheck.com/V40/UK/FREE/today.asp?zipcode=Dornoch putting Dornoch in as the town name but you could try it with your postcode instead. It seems to give a reasonably accurate forecast :)
Cheers Ann

Subject: RE: BS: Weather forecasts UK
From: Ann N
Date: 09 Jul 10 - 12:54 PM

Whoops... forgot about the blue clicky bit   http://www.metcheck.com/V40/UK/FREE/today.asp?zipcode=Dornoch

Subject: RE: BS: Weather forecasts UK
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 09 Jul 10 - 01:09 PM

This is the forecast for Wick. Looks a bit like what you are saying

http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/highlandsandislands/hi/

Subject: RE: BS: Weather forecasts UK
From: mauvepink
Date: 09 Jul 10 - 01:55 PM

I have used Metcheck for over three years and always found them consistantly more correct than any other weather site in the UK. Occasionally the scripts go down but otherwise it's a great resource.

I have no idea how they give such consistant results... they use the Met Office dadts that the Met Office and the BBC use!

Well worth setting up for your own locale in my opinion

mp

Subject: RE: BS: Weather forecasts UK
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 10 Jul 10 - 04:48 AM

I tried Metcheck, and it doesn't actually cover my area. When I put my full postcode in, it ignores the last 3 digits and just gives me the forecast for IV27. Now IV27 is the largest postcode in Scotland, possibly the UK. It stretches from the south east of the north highlands, all the way to Cape Wrath in the far north west.
This morning is bright sunshine, with not a breath of wind, but it will rain before the day is out..
Yesterday when the temperature in the south east of England reached 30C, it was 12.5C here!

Subject: RE: BS: Weather forecasts UK
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 10 Jul 10 - 05:36 AM

Oh that it was 12.5C here - I look forward to wearing a jumper again!