Chris Bell, from Weatherquest at the UEA. Picture: Denise Bradley
Weatherquest loses contract to provide weather forecasts for BBC Radio Norfolk
DAvid Bale
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
9:49 AM
It has been claimed BBC regional radio will no longer provide truly local weather forecasts after the corporation dropped its contract with Weatherquest, based at the University of East Anglia.
Yesterday was the first time in more than 30 years BBC Radio Norfolk did not use regional forecasters, Weatherquest weatherman Chris Bell said.
The BBC has been using Weatherquest since it was set up by TV weatherman Jim Bacon more than a decade ago. Before that it used the Norwich weather centre.
The Weatherquest team of forecasters will also no longer present the weather on TV for BBC Look East – except when the regular presenters are on holiday.
Mr Bell and fellow Weatherquest weatherman Phil Garner said it was disappointing, and complained that the first weather forecast presented by the London team on Radio Norfolk yesterday said it was cloudy when it was, in fact, sunny.
Mr Bell added: “I think it helps to have someone in the area talking about the weather, rather than forecasters from London. If you live in the area, you obviously know the area better than someone in London.
“This part of the world has its own climate, and the weather can vary a lot from the coast to inland. That means that if you are local, you appreciate the conditions better, and you have the local knowledge.”
Weatherquest will continue to do forecasting work for farmers and other media, and a podcast on its website will be updated with the local weather twice a day.
A BBC spokesman said: “Some changes have been made to the organisation of the weather bulletins for BBC Radio Norfolk, with updates now coming from a team of presenters based in our London weather hub, which is one of the four weather hubs across the country supplying weather to BBC local radio stations.
“The London weather hub will also serve all BBC local radio stations in the east of England region.
“We’re aware how important the weather is for listeners and they will continue to receive high quality, regular weather updates from our team of presenters.”
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8 comments
Look at BBC One Weather Map at quarter past and quarter two the hour , during Breakfast . I find that as good as it gets . Or hear what Radio 4 says ...I went on Chris Fawkes` word yesterday - and had a great day out .... If you miss Weatherquest , just listen to their audio podcast , updated 7am and 5pm . If you wonder what it`s like at the coast .... I look at live webcams at Wells , Yarmouth , Southwold etc . Most of all , find the forecaster you trust , but always check with a second opinion . Then trust your instinct .
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dragonfly
Sunday, November 4, 2012
BBC East .You must be crazy to drop Weatherquest. It is The ONLY weather forecast anyone can rely on. I for one will no longer be listening to Radio Norfolk or be watching lookeast for the weather. Yesterday (friday's ) new weather forecast was completely incorrect. That's a good start !!!!!!!!! Boo to you all.
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ziggy
Saturday, November 3, 2012
WhenI hear on the radio the rain has passed and after a dry morning I look outside and it has started to rain the new forecasters dont fill me with confidence. I guess we give them a chance.
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jennifer jane
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Da beeb probably trains these new bods for unleashing onto the box at a later stage, be great if we have some bint talking like gangsta from hackney.
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nrg
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
I doubt if the "presenters" in London will care much about us folk in Norfolk. At least with Jim Bo, Chris Bell and Phil Garner we had someone to had a grump at if they got the forecast wrong. So much for the government`s much trumpeted localisation. It`s a complete waste of time saying anything to the BBC because they always know what is best for us. Just watch Points of View and you can see how sanctimonious they are.
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BG
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Personally I've always found that the Look East weather forecast was almost always far more accurate than the BBC national forecast for East Anglia. Guess it's just another case of the BBC saying "we know what you want far better than you do, and so therefore you'll get what we decide you'll have. If you don't like it, tough!!!"
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jayprime
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Its pathetic to say they wernt accurate. It certainly wont be any better from London They already got it sooooooo wrong. Gota be local to understand it here
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sharky
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Good. They wern't accurate anyway, especially coming from the UEA !.
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"V"
Tuesday, October 30, 2012