 | | Chris Stumbles |
My primary role with the 91Èȱ¬ (apart from telling rubbishy jokes at every opportunity) is to provide a forecast service for both Radio Cornwall and Radio Devon. My day starts at 5am and I have about an hour to gather and collate information from various sources including the Met Office and the internet. This is then used to produce a forecast for the next 36 hours for both counties and a written forecast is passed onto the presenters.Ìý My first 'live' broadcast is with 91Èȱ¬ Radio Cornwall at 6.15am and then they come thick and fast with a broadcast every 15 minutes until 9a,.Ìý Most of the live broadcasts include a forecast for the following five days.Ìý Around mid-morning I produce an updated forecast for both radio stations. My next live broadcast for Radio Cornwall is at 10.45am followed by another for Radio Devon at 11am. My final broadcast of the day is at 12.15pm for 91Èȱ¬ Radio Cornwall. So how did I become involved in weather forecasting? After having an interest in astronomy and the weather for many years I began working with the Met Office in October 1968, starting at Heathrow Airport as an observer. After a six week training course I then moved to RAF Uxbridge in Middlesex for six months and then toÌý RAF St Mawgan.
 | | Liskeard in November |
I remained at St Mawgan until Feb 1986 when I took promotion to the forecasting grade. After a five month training course I moved to Plymouth Weather Centre for a few months before being posted to RAF Upavon in Wiltshire. From there I moved to Cardiff Weather Centre where I spent five years. After further training courses of several months duration another posting followed, this time to Plymouth Weather Centre, much closer to home for a Cornish boy.Ìý Plymouth Weather Centre closed in April 1995 and I then went to Bristol Weather Centre where I was a member of a 12-strong forecasting team until its closure in April 2001, after which I joined the staff of the 91Èȱ¬ at Radio Cornwall. Devon and Cornwall not only have a large agricultural and fishing community but also a huge tourism industry, all of which rely, to some extent, on the weather. Therefore, a local forecast, which is dedicated to a county rather than a general one for the whole country is very important.
 | | Cornish sunset |
However, both counties are not only bounded by sea but also have a wide range of topography and this makes forecasting take on a rather more 'interesting complexion' with many micro climates adding to the difficulty. Forecasting is a very interesting and rewarding job but it is not an exact science, forecasts do go wrong, sometimes quite dramatically. Over the years though, I have developed a thick skin…..a very thick skin. Hear Chris' weather forecasts each weekday morning at the following times: WEATHER: 06.15, 06.45, 07.15, 07.45, 08.15, 08.45, 10.45, 12.25,
FIVE DAY FORECAST: 0615, 0715, 0815 There are also brief forecasts after each hourly news bulletin throughout the day. 91Èȱ¬ Spotlight's David Braine presents a weather report on 91Èȱ¬ Radio Cornwall at 17.25, 19.25. Do you want to contact Chris? You can email him by clicking on the link below:
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