All the names are chosen by me. I try to vary the names as much as possible. Just because all the main news happens in Bristol, Bath, Taunton, Swindon and Gloucester does not mean that those towns and cities should monopolise the weather forecast. In fact, nowhere is too small to appear on the weather maps.
On occasions I'll feature places with rude or silly names. Sling, Tiddlywink, Cuckoo's Knob and Sodom have all appeared on the weather maps!
Q. Why do you sometimes appear to rush through the weather forecast?
Good question! You would really need to ask our producers that one! The weather is consistently the most important part of the programme (along with health issues)according to viewer research. But on occasions the forecast duration will vary according to other news items. A breaking story at 1830 will have to be squeezed into the programme and the weather may then be reduced. It is all part of the job!
Q. How far ahead can you forecast?
A. On a good day and in fairly settled weather conditions it is quite possible to push the forecast to as much as tend days ahead. This tends to be in the more settled summertime conditions although the weather during winter 2005/6 lent itself to some fairly accurate long range forecasts as high pressure remained to the east of the country for much of the time.
Synoptic charts may give indications of weather conditions up to 10 days in advance
Q. Why are your forecasts sometimes different from those on ITV?
A. A fair question! You would be entitled to assume that all weather forecasts would be the same. Unfortunately that is not the case. I know I am biased, but the best forecasts are to be found on the BBC. They are the most up-to-date, incorporate the knowledge of the most experienced weather forecasters and they are usually presented by qualified weather forecasters.
On other channels the forecast is often pre-recorded, based on old forecasts, prepared by people with little forecasting experience for your region and presented by what we sometimes (unkindly) refer to as 'brolly dollies'.
Q. Why can't you get the forecast right?
A. That's a bit unfair! The weather forecast is rather subjective - one man's sunshine can be another woman's showers. We generally reckon to correctly forecast the weather about six days out of seven. That is not to say that we are not trying to get it right seven days out of seven. But we have to be realistic and recognise that there are too many varaibles and unknowns in the atmposphere it get it right every forecast.
All the latest data goes into the forecast
Q. We only see you on our TV screens for about five minutes a day. What do you do the rest of the time?
A. Well it is not all hair, make-up and manicures I can assure you! It takes about two hours to get a clear understanding of the meteorological situation and to transfer that to the charts that make up my TV presentations.
I have to prepare and present three TV forecasts each day - 1345, 1855 and 2230. I also broadcast on Radio Bristol, Radio Wiltshire, Radio Gloucestershire and Somerset Sound - a total of ten forecasts each day.
Q. Why are the weather maps brown ?
Ah! Those lovely brown maps
A. That is the most commonly asked question regarding the new weather graphics. In fact, the new weather graphics are a victim of their own success and the brown background appears incongruous only because the cloud, rain and snow are so realistic.
The colour was required to be neutral (hence brown not green) because it was felt to be more important that the cloud and precipitation should stand out.
With global warming, who knows, the brown may be a more suitable colour if summers continue to become hotter.
This is where the forecasts are put together.
If I am required to present the weather on an outside broadcast I also have to allow plenty of time to get to the destinations. An 'OB' in Devizes, for example, would require me to leave the studios in Bristol by 1630 at the latest, in order to avoid the dreadful traffic around Bristol.
I also get asked to pre-record weather 'teases', visit schools etc. It all adds up to a fairly busy day, even when the weather is at its quietest.
USEFUL LINKS
Here are some of the weather sitesites I use most frequently. They will enable you to obtain the best weather data and forecasts.
This is the best site to visit for an accurate five day forecast. You will also find lots of weather news, long-range forecasts and useful links.
A well set out site. Some interesting articles plus all you need to know about your favourite TV weather luvvies!
Local news and all you need to know about your favourite regional news programme.
Ant Veal's UK Weather Centre: God bless Ant Veal! He has collated a mass of weather websites. There are links to weather publications, recent weather, satellite and radar data, forecasts and forecast charts and webcams.
http://expert.weatheronline.co.uk
This is a really useful site if you know something about meteorology. There are links to varoius weather forecasting computer models. Look at the GFS model; it is generally quite accurate plus all its charts are really easy to use.
Lots of useful information for mariners
I am a patron of the Malmesbury River Valleys Trust.