A helpful change in the weather

The old joke is that people love nothing more than talking about the weather. And changes to the BBC weather graphics can get people talking too.

Those who experienced the storm after radical changes to the graphics in 2005 will probably never forget the experience. But observant viewers may have noticed a little change in recent days – or may, quite genuinely, have missed it.

The main map of the British Isles includes a number of fixed place names, mostly of major cities. They are designed to be helpful but have a downside. A few names, such as Belfast and Birmingham, obscure significant amounts of land. The usefulness of the national weather forecast in much of Northern Ireland and Mid-Wales is significantly reduced.

In recent days, the place names have often been missing and appeared only briefly – and with no downside – with the temperatures. Often – but not always. Last night, for example, they reappeared in the 10.40pm forecast but were gone by breakfast.

Is this all a cock up? Or an experiment? Or has someone not got the memo?

Place names on regional forecasts appear unaffected but there is no practical problem there. The scale of the map is different so far less land is obscured by the text.

Often the place names in regional forecasts vary too. A little recognition for small towns or villages can have many positives whereas you would like to think most people watching the national forecast know where Birmingham and Belfast are.

Watch this space…

Acknowledgements