While tourism is having a tough time at present, with the economic downturn. The weather has also been a factor. But is it that true. Here in the south east we do get better weather and along the south coast there is much less rain.
But when we look at RTE or listen to the national radio we rarely get regional weather. To be fair to TV3, they do more Regional weather forecasts but Martin King is not everyone’s favourite. We were away in Germany for two weeks and noticed how they do their weather on TV.
Localised forecasts there are essential as it a larger country.
They are also more accurate and can even give you a rough time when it will rain, they will also be more positive and emphasise when it will be sunny.
here in Ireland it seems the weather man or woman wants to warn us about showers and keep us indoors and not
suggest when ti is a good time to go out doors.
As a result many people remained indoors or stayed at home for the last two Saturdays we have noticed how the forecasters got it wrong.
Each Saturday the forecast was for rain.
The previous Saturday it arrived in the very late afternoon and last Saturday it was only later night that the heavens opened.
We fortunately took to the outdoors and noted how srong some of the meteorologists are in practice.
Localised forecasting might persuade some to come to the sotuh east for a weekend but they treat as if we are in the rain heavy west and deter tourists and weekend visitors from taking to the outdoors.
Tourism operators are frustrated when they see another fine day wasted and epople staying away from the sea and the outdoors.
For last week even the forecast for the Sunday match in Thurles was wrong with just minor showers at the beginnnign fo the Dublin game and after ten minutes of the Waterford match.
many stayed at home fearing a deluge and not cheering on the Deise live.
The ciountry is suffering enoguh from pessimism.
Can the weather forecasters give us better advise on how to use the changeable weather and tell us when the showers are likely and not have us indoors all the time.
In germany heavy thunderstroms are frequent in the late afternoon as moisture and humidity buyild up in summer.
Are we not having the same phenomenal to a lesser extent,
it is not the type of rain that sees a front pass for half a day.
Let us get it more accurately for the rest of the summer.
