Saturday 14th March
Friday turned out to be a much better day than forecast for Marlborough as the many showers travelling in from the west were to the north or south of our region, There were a few drops just after 14.30 but not measurable. However, the wind was brisk and having originated around Iceland was cool resulting in a maximum of only 7.4C. This low was 3.4C below average and the coldest day since 19th February. Inevitably under clear skies the warmth dissipated into the atmosphere during the evening and night resulting in a light air frost with a minimum of -0.5C at 06.40. The temperature dropped to freezing (-0.1C) at 04.16 early Saturday and returned back above freezing at 06.59 on Saturday.
The new day on Saturday arrived with sunshine as soon as the sun rose above the horizon. The transitory ridge of higher pressure will, as forecast, give us a fine and sunny day with the maximum returning close to the seasonal average with Saturday night into Sunday again being cool.
An interesting article caught my eye yesterday regarding mobile weather apps.
Major UK tourist attractions including Chester and Edinburgh Zoo are calling for changes to the way weather forecasts are displayed on mobile phone apps – warning that “misleading” rain icons cost venues up to £137,000 a day.
The Cheshire zoo has led the push on behalf of more than 80 outdoor attractions which also includes Blackpool Pleasure Beach in Lancashire and a range of other venues and destinations.
They argue a single rain cloud icon summarising a 24-hour period can imply a washout even when much of the day is expected to be dry – meaning families often cancel plans from a quick glance at a phone screen.
The Met Office said it was working on improvements.
The attractions claim “spontaneous visits” are highly weather-dependent, and cite research which suggests about 70% of people check forecasts before heading out.
Some report attendance falling by up to 30% following an unfavourable forecast.
The group stressed it was not challenging forecast accuracy – but how the information is visually presented, particularly by third-party apps that may show overnight rain as an all-day rain symbol, for example.
Dom Strange, of Chester Zoo, said: “When families see a raincloud icon, many simply stay home. “The reality might be a brief shower at 6am – but the symbol suggests a washout.
“We’re speaking up for the wider visitor economy – from heritage sites to theme parks – and the thousands of jobs that depend on spontaneous visits.”
Strange added: “The Met Office is the UK’s most trusted weather authority and in a unique position to help lead the way on clearer forecasting so other apps follow their leads.”