The BBC has issued an apology after a technical glitch on its weather website and app led to “hurricane force wind” forecasts for the UK.
People searching for the latest weather updates were given the rather alarming - and wildly incorrect - prediction from BBC Weather.
A “data glitch” has been blamed for the error which led to graphics showing estimated wind speeds of 13,508mph in London and overnight temperatures of 404C in Nottingham.
Carol Kirkwood, the veteran meteorologist for BBC Breakfast, addressed the issue head-on during her weather forecast on Thursday morning.
Oops, don’t be alarmed by some of our @bbcweather app data this morning.
— Simon King (@SimonOKing) October 10, 2024
Be assured there won’t be 14408mph winds, hurricane force winds or overnight temperatures of 404°C. 🤦♂️
It is being looked at and hopefully sorted asap 🤞 pic.twitter.com/Fjgw15s8ej
Charlie Stayt, one of the show's presenters, brought up the problem, saying: "Now Carol, we love a weather map and welove information… There is a problem this morning. I think we can illustrate it now on the BBC Weather app, which is suggesting that there were hurricane-style winds all over the UK, which is clearly, manifestly not true."
Kirkwood was quick to confirm the error and reassure viewers. "Absolutely, Charlie, it's not true at all," sheresponded.
"We have a bit of a technical glitch at the moment. Believe you me, it is all hands on deck at the moment trying to sort it out quickly, so do not believe that. We do not have hurricane-strength winds or anything like it in this country today – or in the future, hopefully!"
The technical glitch caused confusion among viewers, with many taking to social media to express their concerns.
One user posted on X: "Yikes… I'm hoping the BBC app has a problem," along with a screenshot showing the erroneous wind speeds. Another user commented: "I think your weather app has been hacked? 1,436 mile-an-hour winds in Hertfordshire??"
Pretty pleased with my first day running the BBC Weather app.
— Mr Roger Quimbly (@RogerQuimbly) October 10, 2024
Presenter Matt Taylor said in a post on X: “Don’t be alarmed folks - Hurricane Milton hasn’t made it to us here in the UK! There’s been a data glitch between our suppliers and the app/online. Folk are working to solve the issue.”
BBC Weather has apologised and said it was “working hard to fix it quickly”.
In another post, Presenter Simon King said: “Oops, don’t be alarmed by some of our BBC Weather app data this morning.
“Be assured there won’t be 14408mph winds, hurricane force winds or overnight temperatures of 404C.”
A BBC spokesperson said: “We’re aware of an issue with our third-party supplier, which means our Weather app and website are wrongly predicting hurricane wind speeds everywhere. That is incorrect and we apologise. We’re working with our supplier to fix this as soon as possible.”
It comes as the Florida was being pounded with sustained 120mph winds from Hurricane Milton, which made landfall in the US state on Wednesday night.
Milton made landfall near Siesta Key at about 8.30pm local time.
The US National Weather Service has issued the highest level of flood warning to more than two million residents within Milton’s path.
