Weather forecasters faced wave of 'scary' online abuse over heatwave reporting

Weather forecasters have said that they were targeted for “scary” abuse over their reporting of this month's heatwave.

A new record for the hottest UK day ever seen, of 40.3C, was registered in Coningsby, in Lincolnshire, on July 19, beating the previous record of 38.7C in Cambridge three years ago, by 1.6C.

Forecasters reported on the unprecedented high temperatures in the UK and the rest of western Europe which have been put down to climate change.

The Met Office estimated the heatwave had been made 10 times more likely because of climate change.

The high temperatures also led to the outbreak of fires up and down the country and the public was warned to take care.

Matt Taylor said it is the worst abuse he has received in almost 25 years reporting on the weather (BBC)

But the advice by weather forecasters also led to them being trolled online with abusive comments.

BBC forecaster Matt Taylor said it was the worst abuse he had received in nearly 25 years reporting on the weather.

While the Met Office forecaster Alex Deakin said it was "scary in some ways", reported the BBC.

He said: “I find it more frustrating and offensive for my colleagues, some of the great minds in climate science. Show a bit of respect and do a bit more research rather than just believe Bob down the pub or Tony on YouTube.”

Much of the abuse centred around claims that the reporting on the heatwave was exaggerated.

One person wrote: “Oh please. You were obviously never around in 1975/76. Get a grip. This will not last. It will be back to freezing soon.”

Met Office forecaster Alex Deakin said the abuse was "scary in some ways" (Met Office)

The recent heatwave recorded the highest ever temperature in the UK (Getty Images)

Another said: “What a load of rubbish nanny state again having another fake emergency so you will do as your (sic) told.”

The facts state though that comparing nine of the 10 hottest days ever in the UK have now been recorded since 1990, according to the Met Office.

Mr Taylor said: "It's a more abusive tone than I've ever received. I switched off a bit from it all as it became too depressing to read some of the responses."

And his colleague Tomasz Schafernaker reportedly said: "What frustrates me most is when I'm accused of twisting the truth. As meteorologists, we report facts. There is no conspiracy."