Weatherman Bill Giles blasts BBC for showing too much of Europe on new forecast map
Veteran weatherman Bill Giles said the BBC's new weather graphics are "as disappointing as a downpour in high Summer"
A VETERAN weatherman has blasted the BBC for showing too much of Europe in the broadcaster's new weather graphics.
Bill Giles, who led the weather team at the BBC for 17 years until his retirement in 2000, called the new layout "as disappointing as a downpour in high Summer".
The former forecaster's comments come after the BBC unveiled its new look after it entered a deal with MeteoGroup instead of the Met Office, which it had worked with for 95 years.
Bill told the: "If a weather forecast is supposed to give you a clear idea of what might be in store tomorrow, then the new weather maps, with their state-of-the-art graphics, are a severe disappointment."
He : "The UK map appears a lot smaller, you may be able to see further east into Europe (almost to Stockholm in fact) but if you want to know what is going on in say, Southampton near where I live, then you have your work cut out."
He also advised viewers to switch over to Channel 5 for "clear graphics" as he found it "impossible to detect" the difference between cloud and sunshine on the BBC's new layout.
He also said highlighting sub zero temperatures with a thin blue line underneath would leave viewers “staring very hard at the screen” to decipher, and added the old weather maps were “better” and “more fit for purpose”.
In a stinging comment on whether the BBC's move from the Met Office to an independent company has been a success, he said: "I think not."
In response to his comments a BBC spokesperson said: "BBC Weather has a more realistic map which presenters can customise by adding different layers of data to tell the most relevant weather story, as well as zooming in to areas of interest to give a more detailed forecast.
They added: "Towns and city names on the maps are a reference point for audiences and we will aim to ensure that most locations are represented over a period of time.
"In addition, the temperature colours are now accessible for colour blindness, unlike the suggested blocks of colour by Mr Giles.
"Before the launch of the new services we talked to audiences at length to pinpoint the best possible improvements and we are confident that overall people will appreciate the new features.”
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