The launch of the new graphics is the biggest change in BBC Weather for twenty years. As technology has become more and more advanced over years, BBC Weather has strived to move forward to bring the audience clearer and more modern graphics. To implement the new 3D realtime graphics, BBC Weather has employed "Metra" to develop the bespoke weather graphics system known as 'Weatherscape XT'.

Metra
Based in Wellington, New Zealand, the Metra team are a wholly owned subsidiary of the Meteorological Service of New Zealand. Metra provide meteorological presentation solutions and services to customers all over the world. The team specialises in custom building and tailoring weather presentation systems to the customers needs.

BBC Weather and the Met Office have been working along side Metra, in New Zealand and in the UK, for many months. All three teams have been working together to successfully integrate the Weatherscape XT system into nations and regions for BBC Television, BBCi and online.

Metra have provided their experts to train BBC and Met Office staff, teaching them all the different aspects of the new system.

What, however, do the BBC Broadcast Meteorologists think of the new graphics?

BBC Broadcast Meteorologists on the New Graphics
The BBC Broadcast Meteorologists are the most important link in bringing the weather forecast to the viewers, so their input was essential in developing the new graphics.

Once the bespoke system was developed, the broadcast meteorologists went through intensive Weatherscape training. This has helped them create new ideas which they could pass onto BBC Weathergraphic designers to integrate into new graphics.

Helen Willets said "It's certainly different but very funky. After years of using the same weather graphics, it definitely will make people at home sit up say "wow, what's this". The graphics have changed in every way you could possibly imagine!".

Penny Tranter said "The new graphics system marries all of the good things from the old system. It gives it a modern edge and adds extra clarity through the realistic use of weather movement". Referring to forecasting extreme weather, she adds "Whenever we get severe weather, you can now view an effective forecast that communicates the full intensity of the weather".

Darren Bett explained "The graphics give you so much more, it's especially nice to have movement, so you can move into the Atlantic, into the UK, then back out to the Atlantic again for example, this helps with the continious flow of the forecast".

Asking why they felt there was a change? Penny explained "Our weather forecasts have always been the most accurate and trustworthy, but after audience research the overall consensus was that we needed to change the graphics". Helen added "Yes, our old graphics are much loved, but there comes a time where you have to move forward with new technology".

How will this affect your presentation of forecasts?
Helen said "Obviously, we have new tools to work with, so it will take some getting used too. It now allows us present a forecast without breaking the timeline, giving a more consistent, flowing forecast. I think we will also need to use different vocabulary to explain the weather graphics in the forecast".

Referring to the using the new system, Penny said "As with learning to use any new system, there is a steep learning curve, but we have the belief that we can deliver more accurate flowing forecasts", adding "Ultimately, there will be a bedding in period not only for BBC weather but also for the viewers, but I'm sure they will be impressed".