Thank you for your e-mail.

Andrew Lane, Manager of the BBC Weather Centre has replied as follows:

"We know it will take a little time for people to get used to the new system, but we feel it will give the extra clarity and detail they have told us they want from our forecasts. 

"This is the first major change to the look of BBC weather since 1985 when computer generated maps were introduced. 

"We have introduced a new system because our old graphics were criticised as 'staid', 'flat' and 'boring' in the audience research we carried out. Central to the new look, therefore, is a 3D perspective of the UK.

"This change enables us to take viewers on 'tours' of the nations and regions, and to show in clearer detail than before what the weather is doing. Beforehand, we could only show 2D snapshots. Scotland, for instance, is actually no smaller than on the old 2D maps, but with the new 3D forecast, the bottom part of the map (the south) is closer to the viewer.

"Our research also showed that viewers were often confused by the amount of information presented to them. For example many people do not understand pressure charts and feel disenfranchised when they are shown. However, we will continue to use them when they help to tell the weather story. 

"We decided to use a plain background for the maps and the colour chosen was the one that enables us to show the weather details over it in greatest clarity. Places are shown by dots, and identified by name, as before. Temperatures are more accurate on the new system and are now consistent with our online sites.

"People are very engaged by the subject of the weather and we have had a range of comments to date. We will continue to monitor the feedback we receive."

Andrew Lane, Manager, BBC Weather Centre

Thank you again for contacting us. 

BBC Complaints Unit

http://www.bbc.co.uk/

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