| General Forecasting Division
Communication - The Weather Forecast
* RADIO
* TELEVISION
* PHONE, FAX AND EMAIL
* WEBSITE
* PAPERS
The final phase is the communication of the forecast information to
the end user. Sometimes this can be a simple process: for example, a
user might just need to know the expected maximum temperature on a certain
day, or the wind at a given time and place, or the likelihood of rain
over the coming days. Media forecasts pose more of a challenge, as there
will be a wide range of viewers and listeners, each with their own interests
and needs. A media forecast, especially one on radio or television, therefore
must communicate a vast range of information, but must do so in a logical,
understandable and easy manner which can be easily followed and remembered
by the audience.
CAFO provides all the public forecasts and warnings for Ireland. In addition
to this, it also provides a service for the media, for the maritime
community, and for various commercial interests. The protection and safety
of life and property is of great importance. The public and government
departments are alerted to weather warnings via radio, television, web
etc.
Met Éireann provides an invaluable service. Its aim at all times
is to ensure provision of high-quality weather forecasts and associated
services, with optimum efficiency and value for money. This is of course
possible thanks to modern communications.
RADIO
An array of forecasts are issued around the clock. Radio stations, nation-wide,
are sent forecasts three days at a time. In addition, daily forecasts
are delivered live over the airwaves. Oftentimes forecasters might be
asked to speak about recent weather conditions or about predictions for
special events, such as open-air concerts or Bank Holiday weekends.
TELEVISION
The principal functions of the Met Éireann forecaster based at
RTÉ are:
Preparation and presentation of the Irish weather forecast live on RTÉ1
television.
Forecasting the weather for Europe and preparing scripts and graphics
for the RTÉ weather presenters to present these forecasts.
To prepare and present the weather forecast on RTÉ 1 TV, the
following work is carried out. The TV forecaster has at hand, much of
the information
that is available to the forecaster in the Central Analysis and Forecast
Office (CAFO), including satellite and RADAR images, hourly observation
plots and forecast model products from the ECMWF, UK and HIRLAM models.
Using these, the forecaster determines what the weather will be. S/He
is also guided by the regional forecast issued by the duty forecaster
at CAFO. The TV forecaster contacts CAFO to discuss the forecast, iron
out any differences of opinion and ensure that the forecasts for radio
and TV are consistent.
Once the forecast is agreed, the TV forecaster then prepares graphics
using the ULTRA graphics system, to help communicate the forecast on
TV. S/He may also prepare script. The graphics consist of a combination
of satellite and RADAR images, synoptic weather charts containing fronts
and pressure systems, additional charts with cloud symbols, temperatures,
winds etc, and a summary chart. The graphic charts are sequenced in a
logical fashion on a timeline which is linked to the camera system in
RTÉ.
The forecaster goes to the weather studio before each weather broadcast
and gets set up for the broadcast. This involves setting up the camera,
microphone and voice level and s/he communicates with the Presentation
Controller in RTÉ to ensure everything is correct.
In addition to preparing and presenting the weather forecast for Ireland,
the forecaster also forecasts the weather across Europe for the coming
days. Graphics and script are prepared and given to the RTÉ weather
presenter, who uses them for the European weather forecast on RTÉ 2.
The forecaster is also available to RTÉ news for interviews on
specific weather events or news items for which meteorological expertise
is useful.
PHONE, FAX AND EMAIL
Forecasts are issued to State Agencies and customers using fax, phone
and email.
WEBSITE
Met Éireann website is also updated throughout the day and offers
regional and sea area forecasts, satellite imagery, recent observations
from the outstations across Ireland, buoy reports, climatological
data etc.
PAPERS
Forecasts are also issued in the print media, mostly for sectional interests
such as the Farmer’s Journal.
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