Weather Bureau

[DarkArts]

The Bureau of Meteorology no longer wants to be referred to as "BOM" or "the weather bureau".

Bureau of Meteorology Rebrand (ABC)

I'm not surprised. Canberra's 3-hourly forecast for last evening (Tuesday) and today (Wednesday) consists entirely of "0% rain", including right now. Meanwhile, outside, it's raining with a heavier shower inbound. I'd want to change my name after that performance, too.

Glad I didn't set up my gear.

The "bureau's" best from 15 minutes ago:

https://i.ibb.co/qJwk63P/Forecast-No-Rain.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/PrkCcLK/Rain-Radar.jpg

[rustigsmed (Russell)]

The only time i worry about the name BoM is when I'm at an airport or on a plane and discussing the weather.

[dikman (Richard)]

They're obviously embarrassed when their "predictions" don't eventuate so want to get away from being associated with weather predictions.
Doesn't really matter what they call themselves people will still refer to them as "the weather bureau", because that's what they are.

[OzEclipse (Joe Cali)]

Given that their methods are in part based on statistics, why not, "The Australian Bureau of Statistics?"

Oh hang on!

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

For those who may not have seen it, this is a good summary article, published in COSMOS Magazine, about accuracy of BoM and others, weather forecasting

Like most things, your source of information is very important

Mike

[DarkArts]

Originally Posted by strongmanmike

For those who may not have seen it, this is a good summary article ...

Interesting article, thanks. In it, New Zealand weather and climate researcher James Renwick says:

The one-day forecast is almost perfect all the time now. The two-day forecasts are almost as good.

And ...

"Models of forecasting – they’re great at 24 hours, they’re pretty darn good at 48,” explains Nate Byrne, the ABC News Breakfast weather presenter who trained at the Bureau.

"I don't think so, Tim". Canberra's rain last night was approximately 8 hours after the forecast was issued. The bomb they're not.


(They actually do a pretty good job most of the time, but it's a great Aussie tradition to sh*t stir when something doesn't go right, especially if it's tax-payer funded).

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

(They actually do a pretty good job most of the time, but it's a great Aussie tradition to sh*t stir when something doesn't go right, especially if it's tax-payer funded).

That's true, I know because I watch Sky after Dark

[DarkArts]

Originally Posted by strongmanmike

That's true, I know because I watch Sky after Dark

Everyone's getting in on it, even at the other end of the spectrum:

To all Australians: please desist immediately from using the gauche sobriquet ‘BoM’

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

Originally Posted by DarkArts

Everyone's getting in on it, even at the other end of the spectrum:

To all Australians: please desist immediately from using the gauche sobriquet ‘BoM’

... BoM always sounded rather French to me..?

MIke

[Camelopardalis (Dunk)]

Crunching the numbers of weather models is incredibly compute hungry, and Australia’s facility is funds-challenged

That they’re remotely close much of the time is no small achievement. Other territories around the world have significantly greater resources but none of them are significantly more than 50% accurate looking more than 3 days forward.

I do think it’s a bit weird to want to be called one thing while boldly branding your mobile app with another

[RB (Andrew)]

Originally Posted by strongmanmike

... BoM always sounded rather French to me..?

MIke

La bohème?