Mike
30-07-2009, 12:17 PM
As a retired airline pilot, I hold some qualifications in meteorology, of course. It has not been an exact science, as we all should know, though we do know a lot about it.
I was rather peeved yesterday to see our media taking the 'Michael' out of our weather forecasters. The general theme was 'Ha ha, they've got it wrong again', referring to a comment made some weeks ago by our bureau along the lines of there's a 65% prospect of a 'Barbecue Summer'.
Most of us sat yesterday through a full day of what is termed 'continuous moderate rain'. And it was that one day which had our journos busy on their blueberry's or keyboards or typewriters (whatever it is they use these days on which to pen their spite and venom).
So it rained for a day. So what? Is that good cause to make headline news mocking the implied incompetence of our weather forecasters? I think not. The statement was about a 'Barbecue Summer' PROSPECT, not a certainty. And, in any event, summer is not yet over.
I wish to say that I for one am grateful to the Met Office for the job it does. We all get things wrong from time to time - because we are human. But to dump on these boys and girls for no better reason than that we've had a single day of continuous moderate rain is just plain spiteful and mischievous, surely?
I think it was Billy Connolly who cracked me up when he remarked that 'weather is weather' and 'if you don't f ... ing like it then buy a bl...dy raincoat!' To our sarcastic and libelous media types, I recommend the Australian 'Drizabone' products. They are great for a stroll in the rain.
Now, I wonder if Drizabone make a doggy coat! :)
Best wishes
I was rather peeved yesterday to see our media taking the 'Michael' out of our weather forecasters. The general theme was 'Ha ha, they've got it wrong again', referring to a comment made some weeks ago by our bureau along the lines of there's a 65% prospect of a 'Barbecue Summer'.
Most of us sat yesterday through a full day of what is termed 'continuous moderate rain'. And it was that one day which had our journos busy on their blueberry's or keyboards or typewriters (whatever it is they use these days on which to pen their spite and venom).
So it rained for a day. So what? Is that good cause to make headline news mocking the implied incompetence of our weather forecasters? I think not. The statement was about a 'Barbecue Summer' PROSPECT, not a certainty. And, in any event, summer is not yet over.
I wish to say that I for one am grateful to the Met Office for the job it does. We all get things wrong from time to time - because we are human. But to dump on these boys and girls for no better reason than that we've had a single day of continuous moderate rain is just plain spiteful and mischievous, surely?
I think it was Billy Connolly who cracked me up when he remarked that 'weather is weather' and 'if you don't f ... ing like it then buy a bl...dy raincoat!' To our sarcastic and libelous media types, I recommend the Australian 'Drizabone' products. They are great for a stroll in the rain.
Now, I wonder if Drizabone make a doggy coat! :)
Best wishes