UK attractions say 'misleading' weather apps 'costing them millions'

"When families see a raincloud icon, many simply stay home. The reality might be a brief shower at 6am - but the symbol suggests a washout. A single rain cloud icon summarising a 24-hour period can create the impression of a washout - even when much of the day is dry."

"They warn that around 70 per cent of people check forecasts before heading out, while some sites report attendance dropping by up to 30 per cent following an unfavourable forecast. Operators argue families make decisions based on a quick glance at a phone screen, often cancelling plans if they see there is a possibility of rain."

"The group stresses it is not challenging forecast accuracy, but how the information is visually presented, particularly by third-party apps that may show overnight rain as an all-day rain symbol. Instead, they are calling for the Met Office, government and major weather app developers to explore practical improvements to how forecasts are shown on screen."

Over 80 British outdoor attractions, led by Chester Zoo, are campaigning against weather app developers to change how forecasts are displayed. The venues argue that single rain cloud icons summarizing 24-hour periods create false impressions of washout days, even when most daylight hours are dry. Families frequently cancel plans after seeing rain symbols, with some attractions reporting 30 percent attendance drops following unfavorable forecasts. Individual venues claim losses up to £137,000 daily. The group acknowledges forecast accuracy is not the issue but rather visual presentation, particularly when overnight rain appears as all-day symbols. They propose improvements including separate daytime and overnight icons, clearer written descriptions, and indicators showing proportions of dry hours to help families make informed decisions.

Read at Mail Online