The BBC Weather app will become less “gloomy” in its forecasts when it reunites with the Met Office, meteorologists have said.
The public broadcaster is returning to the Met Office for its weather information after switching to European forecaster MeteoGroup in 2018.
BBC Weather has been accused by tourism chiefs of being too pessimistic – especially when choosing a daily symbol to summarise the day’s weather.
Experts say the broadcaster may have been erring on the side of caution with overly-negative forecasts, hoping to help people prepare for the worse, as well as avoiding a “Michael Fish moment”.
The former BBC weather presenter optimistically dismissed the chances of a hurricane in 1987, only for a storm to engulf the south-east of England.
Research by University of Reading meteorologists – shared with The i Paper last year – showed that BBC Weather predicts colder and wetter weather than often comes to pass.
The Met Office “edges ahead” of the BBC Weather app in temperature accuracy, the study found.
Jim Dale, founder of the forecasting consultancy British Weather Services, said he expected the BBC service to become “more positive” when it returns to using the Met Office.
“The BBC Weather is not bad, but it is a bit gloomy at times. The gloominess can come from the day symbol,” said the senior meteorologist.
“It is generally correct, but they can be pessimistic about choosing rain when there’s a few minutes of rain and the rest of the day is dry.
“It will inevitably come into line with the Met Office, and be a bit more positive,” Dale added.
BBC Weather and the Met Office appear to have taken a different approach to daily summary symbols in recent years.
The public broadcaster’s service has justified its selection of symbols as those “likely to have the greatest impact on people’s lives”.
The Met Office, the state-owned service, has said its day symbols are aimed at giving “the most accurate symbol of the weather possible”.
Read Next
square WEATHER ExclusiveRead More
Gill Haigh, managing director of Cumbria Tourism, told The Times last year that it affected businesses if the daily symbol “indicated a more pessimistic picture than the reality” and kept visitors at home.
However, Dale warned that some people may be frustrated by the BBC Weather app now having exactly the same forecast as Met Office – even if it makes it more accurate.
“Yes, it can mess with your head to see slightly different forecasts. But I think people like to get a second opinion,” said the meteorologist.
“They think, ‘the Met Office is saying that, the BBC is saying that’, I’ll go somewhere in between. I actually think the more the merrier, when it comes to forecasts.”
Less confusion for people
However, Dr Rob Thompson, a meteorologist at the University of Reading, said the BBC’s return to using the Met Office info would help “reduce possible confusion” for users.
Dr Thompson urged the BBC and Met Office to look at how the forecast could “better communicate shifts between different weather patterns – such as transitions from fine weather to unsettled periods”.
The BBC had to apologise in 2024 for a glitch in its weather app which meant it forecast 13,000mph hurricane-force winds in parts of the UK, which did not arrive.
The new partnership with the Met Office will look at countering misinformation and disinformation when it comes to both weather and climate, the BBC said.
Users are also promised greater accuracy, with the Met Office’s “supercomputer” delivering the most advanced weather information yet.
A Met Office spokesperson said there won’t be any “obvious change” initially because the BBC will only gradually switch services.
“Eventually, BBC and Met Office forecasts will be consistent. We believe this partnership will help deliver the best forecast for our audiences.”
Hence then, the article about why gloomy bbc weather app is about to become more accurate was published today ( ) and is available on inews ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Why ‘gloomy’ BBC Weather app is about to become more accurate )
Also on site :
- Road over canal in Penkridge closed as bridge reportedly collapses
- Disneyland Paris New Year’s Eve Fireworks Live Stream 2025–2026: Watch Here
- Police and air ambulance attend 'medical emergency' incident in Stourbridge