What a shower! Weathermen lashed over wrong forecasts
Weather forecasters came under fire yesterday for being even more gloomy than a bad British summer.
Critics say the Met Office and BBC have repeatedly struggled to get the weather right over the past few weeks - and predicted rain on days which turned out to be some of the best of the year.
There are suggestions that forecasters are so terrified of failing to predict storms after the 1987 hurricane fiasco that they are erring on the side of caution.
Polo fans stay cool as they watch the Coronation Cup match at the Cartier International Polo at the Guards Polo Club in the Great Park in Windsor
Last weekend visitors planning a trip to Windsor for the Cartier Polo International were warned of heavy showers. But the event basked in glorious sunshine. So did Tatton Park, Cheshire, where showers had been predicted to mar the annual RHS Flower Show.
Devon county councillor Humphrey Temperley said the pessimistic forecasts are scaring tourists away. 'The weathermen have got to think about the economic impact of what they are doing,' he added.
The Met Office said last night its three-day forecasts are now more accurate than a oneday forecast in 1980, but admitted it had problems with details of showers.
The complaints came as northern Britain mopped up after torrential downpours. Parts of North East England had half their average month's rainfall in 24 hours, while businesses and homes were flooded in Scotland.
