The BBC has reassured people that a hurricane isn’t coming to the UK after a technical glitch forecasted severe wind for parts of the UK.
People searching for today’s forecast on BBC Weather were surprised to see alarmingly high wind speeds of 13,508mph in London, which turned out to be a technical error.
The news comes as the US braces for a very real hurricane to make landfall in Florida, with devastation expected across the East Coast.
Staff at the BBC have since clarified that a “data glitch” was behind the incorrect forecast and that we’re not expecting extreme weather to come rolling across the Atlantic.
“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,” presenter Matt Taylor said on social media.
As always when it comes to the weather, Brits have taken today’s weather blunder light-heartedly.
Some couldn’t help but draw similarities between another infamous weather forecast blunder in 1987, prompting Michael Fish to trend on social media.
“Love that Michael Fish is trending in the UK because the BBC weather is broken,” wrote one person.
Another added: “I know it’s a glitch, but it’s cheered me up, it’s very Michael Fish!”
“Been walking around doing my best Michael Fish impression this morning,” joked a third.
So what happened back then, and why are people talking about it today?
Who is Michael Fish?
Michael Fish is a British weather presenter who started working for the Met Office in 1962.
The Sussex-born meteorologist worked as a weather broadcaster for more than three decades, providing Brits with daily updates on what to expect from the weather.
Now 80 years old, Fish has been retired for 20 years.
While he wasn’t involved with this week’s BBC Weather hiccup, some took to social media to draw comparisons to an iconic 1987 incident in which he was involved.
What happened in the 1987 weather forecast?
In 1987, Fish reassured the nation that a hurricane wasn’t heading toward the British Isles.
Addressing viewers, Fish told people not to worry and added that it might be windy in Spain.
“Earlier on today, apparently, a woman rang the BBC and said she heard there was a hurricane on the way… well, if you’re watching, don’t worry, there isn’t!” he cheerfully said.
Hours later, however, a severe storm did indeed hit the UK, killing 22 people and causing billions of pounds worth of damage across the country and France.
Known as the Great Storm, it forced hundreds to evacuate their homes at the time and was dubbed the worst storm in more than 300 years.
Reflecting on the incident decades later, Fish said the fallout from his “unfortunate remark” was “pretty horrendous”.
"...now over to the studios of BBC Weather with Michael Fish" pic.twitter.com/jtTikZMOjB
— James Waters (@jameswaters) October 10, 2024
Why is Michael Fish trending?
To be clear, Fish wasn’t involved with the BBC’s recent weather glitch.
But, as presenters rushed to address today’s technical error and downplay the risk of “hurricane force winds”, some couldn’t help but draw comparisons to Fish’s broadcast more than three decades ago.
Some joked that the BBC is taking no chances and over-predicting the weather conditions this time around.
“Have the BBC rehired Michael Fish to do today’s weather forecast? He’s taking no chances this time then…” wrote one social media follower.
Another added: “BBC weather data having a bad day in #Wokingham Assuming of course it's not a Michael Fish event.”
A third joked: “They need to put Michael Fish on the telly to deny this. That will reassure the public.”
