New Met Office Forecast Terminology
- Thread starter Giblets
- Start date
franksingleton
Well-Known Member
It is all too easy to criticise - and I often do about wording in forecasts. I can only suggest trying it yourself. Sail for 6 - 12 hours along a coast or a sea passage, say across the Channel. Then try to write a 20 or 30 word script describing what you actually experienced that will be understandable and meaningful. Then imagine having to cover the same for 24 hours. Then think of the uncertainties in a forecast. Inevitably, you will use words like occasional, locally, at times etc. What word would you use to describe a rather indeterminate low pressure with no well defined centre, no definable circulation of winds? Remember that the script has to be understandable over the radio. Flabby is quite acceptable and neaningful to a user with any basic knowledge of meteorology.
johnalison
Well-Known Member
That explains a lot. I didn't know that Met Office staff had to complete a twelve-hour sail before handing in their reports or making forecasts.
franksingleton
Well-Known Member
Nor do I.
LittleSister
Well-Known Member
WIND: All over the shop.
WEATHER: Rain at times. Even more rain at other times.
SEA STATE: Very much so.
VISIBILITY: Hopeful.
franksingleton
Well-Known Member
I doubt that meets my last word, “meaningful.” But, thank you for trying.
Buck Turgidson
Well-Known Member
That was exactly the conditions I sailed in down the Irish sea last year! Were you there?