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BBC weather app gets it a bit wrong...

Started by Alex, October 10, 2024, 10:37:54 AM

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Alex

I would say this is the biggest mistake in UK weather reporting since Michael Fish told the nation back in the 80s that a hurricane in the Bay of Biscay wasn't going to turn north and we had nothing to worry about.

QuoteBBC weather presenter Carol Kirkwood has reassured Britons that there won't be hurricane-force winds in the UK after a glitch on the weather app.

The BBC weather app had two glaring errors: one showing wind speeds of 13,508mph in London and an extreme heatwave of 404C in Nottingham.

It comes as Hurricane Milton, which had been a category five storm, hit central Florida in the US on Thursday, causing deaths, destroying homes and knocking out power to almost three million homes.

During BBC Breakfast, Kirkwood said there would be no hurricane-force winds in the UK and she pointed out there was a problem with the app when she was questioned by news anchor Naga Munchetty.

What, how and why?
Kirkwood said the BBC technicians were working as fast as they could to fix the problem with the app.

Speaking on BBC Breakfast, she told viewers: "Our technicians are working on it as fast as they can to sort it. What you are looking at there are hurricane force winds are not happening. I'll stress that."

Munchetty questioned Kirkwood on the alarming numbers which were showing wrong on the BBC weather app. Reiterating the hurricane force winds were not happening in the UK, she added: "That's not happening, no Carol?"

The weather presenter added: "No it's definitely not Naga. The only hurricane we are talking about today is the one in Florida. Hurricane Milton. Nothing like that on our shores."

The BBC have apologised for the error with their app that is showing hurricane force winds for the UK which is not true.

In a statement, BBC Weather said: "We have an issue with some of the weather data from our forecast provider which is generating incorrect numbers and text on our BBC Weather app and website.

"It's mainly been impacting wind readings but some temperatures are also displaying wrongly. We recognise there is huge interest in weather today and this is incredibly frustrating. We are really, really sorry about this and working very hard to fix the problem."

Charlie Stayt also addressed the problem on BBC Breakfast. He said: "There is a problem this morning. I think we can illustrate it now on the BBC Weather app, which is suggesting that there were hurricane-style winds all over the UK, which is clearly, manifestly not true."

BBC presenters have also helped spread the news on social media to reassure people in the UK.

Among them, Matt Taylor said in a post on X: "Don't be alarmed folks - Hurricane Milton hasn't made it to us here in the UK! There's been a data glitch between our suppliers and the app/online. Folk are working to solve the issue."

Presenter Simon King added: "Oops, don't be alarmed by some of our BBC Weather app data this morning. Be assured there won't be 14408mph winds, hurricane force winds or overnight temperatures of 404C."

I'd imagine those weather conditions would pretty much wipe out all life on earth were it ever to happen.
Hail to thyself
For I am my own master
I am my own god
I require no shepherd
For I am no sheep.