New Met Office Forecast Terminology

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Giblets

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New words not seen before in the Inshore Waters 'General Situation' section.

"A flabby area of low pressure over southern europe...."

"...eastern coasts becoming very murky during Saturday and Sunday."

:D
 
So, they capitalise the UK, days of the week, but not Europe or specific coastlines :confused: :rolleyes:

"A flabby area of low pressure over southern europe will drift slowly northwards, bringing changeable conditions to the United Kingdom during the next few days, with eastern coasts becoming very murky during Saturday and Sunday"​
 
Last edited:
dom said:
So, they capitalise the UK, days of the week, but not Europe or specific coastlines :confused: :rolleyes:

"A flabby area of low pressure over southern europe will drift slowly northwards, bringing changeable conditions to the United Kingdom during the next few days, with eastern coasts becoming very murky during Saturday and Sunday"​
Click to expand...

I don't understand why the BBC offers "weather forecasts" when we really get "conditions forecasts".

Mike.
 
Strange that it doesn't appear like that in the [h=1]Inshore waters forecast and strong winds -[/h][h=2]General situation[/h]The flow over British Isles will be influenced by a large area of low pressure currently over the balearics. This will slowly drift north to lie over France tomorrow. Rain or showers are likely in many places, with an increasing risk of fog in some northeastern parts.

https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/specialist-forecasts/coast-and-sea/inshore-waters-forecast
 
LadyInBed said:
Strange that it doesn't appear like that in the [h=1]Inshore waters forecast and strong winds -[/h][h=2]General situation[/h]The flow over British Isles will be influenced by a large area of low pressure currently over the balearics. This will slowly drift north to lie over France tomorrow. Rain or showers are likely in many places, with an increasing risk of fog in some northeastern parts.

https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/specialist-forecasts/coast-and-sea/inshore-waters-forecast
Click to expand...

The comment regarding a "flabby area of low pressure..." was exactly what was given out on your link but for the 07:00 (GMT +1) forecast whereas yours alluded to the 13:00 (GMT +1) forecast. Shame they are still having trouble with capital letters and couldn't capitilise the 'b' in "balearics" though! :rolleyes:
 
I saw that too and had a wee chuckle to myself.

Next it could be a mildly obese flurry of rain will be coming in from the north. Or perhaps a there will be chubby area of low pressure galloping it's way in from the west!
 
I get the forecasts emailed to me

Inshore waters forecast to 12 miles offshore
01:00 (UTC+1) on Fri 17 May 2019 to 01:00 (UTC+1) on Sat 18 May 2019

General situation

A flabby area of low pressure over southern Europe will drift slowly northwards, bringing changeable conditions to the United Kingdom during the next few days, with eastern coasts becoming very murky by Saturday.

Cape Wrath to Rattray Head including Orkney - Strong wind warning
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Totally understandable... bit will have a word with the chaps at the Met Office
 
Over the years it has changed, not always for the better. In my days as a senior forecaster at Bracknell, we had strict guidelines about terminology. ‘“Conditions” was banned as being a general rather meaningless word when we really meant “weather.” The influence of making forecasts more understandable to the general public, not the specialist sailors, has led to some use of more colloquial terminology. However, I have no problem with “flabby” in this context. It is a good description of a rather complex area of low pressure with no well defined centre and, in all probability, no well defined circulation of wind around it.

Meteo France is far worse in their use of words. I have a page on my website of French terminology in Marine forecasts. I have given up trying to update it. Every year, I hear words that I have not heard before. “Drizzle” is “bruine” but, I suppose, that may be confused with “brume” mist. They used to use “crachins” meaning spits. They now use “petite plumes.” They seem to use many different words for changing. Even with my background and many years sailing in French waters, their use of words still confuses me. The U.K. Met Office is a paragon by comparison. Just be glad of what we have and excuse a few blips. For marine forecasts, as opposed to the general description, the Met Office uses a commendably limited vocabulary.

“
 
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