BBC Weather website redesign Q&A

Why is the BBC Weather website being re-designed?
Why are you releasing a Beta version and when can we expect the final version?
What changes can we expect?
Why does my page tell me the forecast for my town is in fact for another location?
When I save a forecast as one of my favourites, sometimes it doesn't save my hometown - why is this?
On the old site I just searched for my location. Now I have to say whether I'm looking for somewhere the UK or not before I search. Why is this?
Why does the colour of the page change all the time?
Why can I not access all the information on the Beta version?
Why can I not see the Map Presenter on the Beta version?
It looks as though there is less information on the Beta site - why?
Why have the Sea Temperature and Wind Maps been removed?

Why is the BBC Weather website being re-designed?

The design of the BBC Weather website hasn't been updated since 2005. Technology has developed since then and we have been able to take advantage of this to improve your experience of our site.

We have also pulled together your feedback and looked at which parts of the site you visit most. Where possible, we have reflected these trends and your feedback in the changes.

Our priority when designing the new site was to focus on presenting the forecast as clearly as possible and to increase the speed and frequency with which we could update it.

The new site is designed to give you all the information you need for your 'local' area, from 24 hour/5 day forecast to maps, video and any other relevant info we have.

Why are you releasing a Beta version and when can we expect the final version?

The Beta version is designed to give you a preview of the new site so you can tell us what you think.

It is by no means the final site as only some of the content from the main Weather site is available in the new look at this stage.

At the end of the year we will launch some parts of the site in the new look and we will continue to move more content onto the new site and develop new features throughout 2009.

What changes can we expect?

From what you have told us over the past couple of years and by monitoring how you use the site we have prioritised the following:

Accurate forecasts and an indication of confidence - We are increasing the frequency with which we receive forecasts from the Met Office from September 2008.

We are also developing a feature for the new site that will allow our forecasters to publish an ongoing discussion of confidence in the forecast. This will be available in early 2009.

Detailed forecasts - Today's forecast for UK locations on the main Weather site are no longer illustrated by one summary symbol.

Instead they will be covered by a three-hourly breakdown to show more clearly how the weather will change over the 24 hours to come.

Local forecasts - The design of the new site is based on giving you all you need for your 'local' area, from 24 hour/5 day forecast to maps, video and any other relevant info we have - we are creating a 'one-stop shop' for each local area.

Easy access to all forecast data even if it's not used often - We have designed the page modules so that you can 'collapse' or 'minimise' content you don't use so often.

These settings will be stored for your favourite locations so each time you come back, the page will be as you left it. The content won't disappear from the page so you know you can always get it if you need it.

Better design with a focus on forecast information- The site has been designed around the forecasts rather as an online magazine.

Better navigation - The site is now much 'flatter' which means that it is easier to navigate.

As we are bringing together all forecast information for a location on one page this means that once you've searched for your location you won't need to go looking for other content that relates to it.

The search is also being improved to accommodate spelling mistakes and identify the nearest forecast for a location you are looking for even if the Met Office don't provide an exact forecast.

Personalisation - You will be able to save up to 3 favourite locations in your search module so you can access these forecasts quickly.

You can also set your favourite location to be the location you come to first on bbc.co.uk/weather

More interactive elements- Each module will be interactive - you can expand and minimise them depending on whether you are interested in the forecast info or not.

The map presenter will also be more interactive and you will be able to view maps for surrounding areas without leaving the page. Later in 2008 we will be adding embedded video forecasts.

Why does my page tell me the forecast for my town is in fact for another location?

The Met Office produces a certain number of forecasts for the UK. We then work with them to fill in the gaps to provide forecasts for more towns and all UK postcodes.

On the old site we did not show how the forecasts were matched, but the 'crumb trail' on the new site has now made this possible.

When I save a forecast as one of my favourites, sometimes it doesn't save my hometown - why is this?

We are still developing the search module. The ability for it to save your hometown name as well as forecast location will be added later this year.

On the old site I just searched for my location. Now I have to say whether I'm looking for somewhere the UK or not before I search. Why is this?

Much of your feedback mentioned difficulties quickly finding forecasts for UK locations. We wanted to make this easier for you so added the tabs to the search module.

We will continue to refine this over the coming months to make it even easier.

Why does the colour of the page change all the time?

As with the graphics used on television, the look of the site changes slightly depending on the weather.

On the website this is led by the current forecast which drives the banner and background colour of the page.

Why can I not access all the information on the Beta version?

The Beta is a work in progress and any elements of BBC Weather not available in the Beta version are still available in the old version.

Why can I not see the Map Presenter on the Beta version?

Like many aspects of websites today, javascript is required to view all of the maps on the Weather site.

Without javascript turned on it will only be possible to see one map in the Map Presenter.

It looks as though there is less information on the Beta site - why?

As all forecast information is now organised by location rather than by type of forecast it might look like there is less information on the site.

However, the same amount of information is available for each location it's just all on one page so easier to find everything you need.

Why have the Sea Temperature and Wind Maps been removed?

The Sea Temperature maps have been removed from the new site as the maps showed the temperature out at sea.

We are currently sourcing forecast temperatures for coastal waters and will add these to the site when they are ready.

We are redeveloping the wind product on maps so the arrows give a better indication of wind speed and direction, so these maps will return once they have been improved.

In the meantime wind information is available in the 24 hour/5 day forecast modules for each location.

Return to Beta site

Feedback form

Please use the form below to send us your feedback or report any technical problems on the Beta site.

Some browser details are captured for audience analysis research.

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	Quick link to feedback form Why is the BBC Weather website being re-designed? Why are you releasing a Beta version and when can we expect the final version? What changes can we expect? Why does my page tell me the forecast for my town is in fact for another location? When I save a forecast as one of my favourites, sometimes it doesn't save my hometown - why is this? On the old site I just searched for my location. Now I have to say whether I'm looking for somewhere the UK or not before I search. Why is this? Why does the colour of the page change all the time? Why can I not access all the information on the Beta version? Why can I not see the Map Presenter on the Beta version? It looks as though there is less information on the Beta site - why? Why have the Sea Temperature and Wind Maps been removed? Why is the BBC Weather website being re-designed? The design of the BBC Weather website hasn't been updated since 2005. Technology has developed since then and we have been able to take advantage of this to improve your experience of our site. We have also pulled together your feedback and looked at which parts of the site you visit most. Where possible, we have reflected these trends and your feedback in the changes. Our priority when designing the new site was to focus on presenting the forecast as clearly as possible and to increase the speed and frequency with which we could update it. The new site is designed to give you all the information you need for your 'local' area, from 24 hour/5 day forecast to maps, video and any other relevant info we have. Why are you releasing a Beta version and when can we expect the final version? The Beta version is designed to give you a preview of the new site so you can tell us what you think. It is by no means the final site as only some of the content from the main Weather site is available in the new look at this stage. At the end of the year we will launch some parts of the site in the new look and we will continue to move more content onto the new site and develop new features throughout 2009. What changes can we expect? From what you have told us over the past couple of years and by monitoring how you use the site we have prioritised the following: Accurate forecasts and an indication of confidence - We are increasing the frequency with which we receive forecasts from the Met Office from September 2008. We are also developing a feature for the new site that will allow our forecasters to publish an ongoing discussion of confidence in the forecast. This will be available in early 2009. *Detailed forecasts* - Today's forecast for UK locations on the main Weather site are no longer illustrated by one summary symbol. Instead they will be covered by a three-hourly breakdown to show more clearly how the weather will change over the 24 hours to come. *Local forecasts* - The design of the new site is based on giving you all you need for your 'local' area, from 24 hour/5 day forecast to maps, video and any other relevant info we have - we are creating a 'one-stop shop' for each local area. *Easy access to all forecast data even if it's not used often* - We have designed the page modules so that you can 'collapse' or 'minimise' content you don't use so often. These settings will be stored for your favourite locations so each time you come back, the page will be as you left it. The content won't disappear from the page so you know you can always get it if you need it. *Better design with a focus on forecast information- The site has been designed around the forecasts rather as an online magazine. Better navigation* - The site is now much 'flatter' which means that it is easier to navigate. As we are bringing together all forecast information for a location on one page this means that once you've searched for your location you won't need to go looking for other content that relates to it. The search is also being improved to accommodate spelling mistakes and identify the nearest forecast for a location you are looking for even if the Met Office don't provide an exact forecast. *Personalisation* - You will be able to save up to 3 favourite locations in your search module so you can access these forecasts quickly. You can also set your favourite location to be the location you come to first on bbc.co.uk/weather *More interactive elements- Each module will be interactive - you can expand and minimise them depending on whether you are interested in the forecast info or not. The map presenter will also be more interactive and you will be able to view maps for surrounding areas without leaving the page. Later in 2008 we will be adding embedded video forecasts. Why does my page tell me the forecast for my town is in fact for another location?* The Met Office produces a certain number of forecasts for the UK. We then work with them to fill in the gaps to provide forecasts for more towns and all UK postcodes. On the old site we did not show how the forecasts were matched, but the 'crumb trail' on the new site has now made this possible. When I save a forecast as one of my favourites, sometimes it doesn't save my hometown - why is this? We are still developing the search module. The ability for it to save your hometown name as well as forecast location will be added later this year. On the old site I just searched for my location. Now I have to say whether I'm looking for somewhere the UK or not before I search. Why is this? Much of your feedback mentioned difficulties quickly finding forecasts for UK locations. We wanted to make this easier for you so added the tabs to the search module. We will continue to refine this over the coming months to make it even easier. Why does the colour of the page change all the time? As with the graphics used on television, the look of the site changes slightly depending on the weather. On the website this is led by the current forecast which drives the banner and background colour of the page. Why can I not access all the information on the Beta version? The Beta is a work in progress and any elements of BBC Weather not available in the Beta version are still available in the old version. Why can I not see the Map Presenter on the Beta version? Like many aspects of websites today, javascript is required to view all of the maps on the Weather site. Without javascript turned on it will only be possible to see one map in the Map Presenter. It looks as though there is less information on the Beta site - why? As all forecast information is now organised by location rather than by type of forecast it might look like there is less information on the site. However, the same amount of information is available for each location it's just all on one page so easier to find everything you need. Why have the Sea Temperature and Wind Maps been removed? The Sea Temperature maps have been removed from the new site as the maps showed the temperature out at sea. We are currently sourcing forecast temperatures for coastal waters and will add these to the site when they are ready. We are redeveloping the wind product on maps so the arrows give a better indication of wind speed and direction, so these maps will return once they have been improved. In the meantime wind information is available in the 24 hour/5 day forecast modules for each location. Return to Beta site Feedback form Please use the form below to send us your feedback or report any technical problems on the Beta site. Your name Your email address Please choose a subject from the menu below Your comments Some browser details are captured for audience analysis research.

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