In brief
A BBC Weather app glitch erroneously predicted extreme weather, including 832-degree temperatures in Brazil and 13,000 mph winds in Chicago.
A significant breach in the accuracy of weather forecasts caused amusement and concern alike on Thursday as BBC Weather displayed wildly incorrect information. Predictions showed 832-degree temperatures in Brazil’s capital and unprecedented wind speeds of 13,000 mph in Chicago due to a glitch in the app, which stemmed from faulty data supplied by DTN, a third-party provider. The BBC quickly issued an apology and worked to restore correct forecasts by Thursday evening. Users, including Stuart Malcolm from Chichester, made light of the situation regarding the comedic predictions. BBC meteorologist Simon King reassured audiences of normal weather conditions amidst the errors. This event underlines the reliance on automated data and the potential issues of third-party weather data sources, a factor for many who trust apps for real-time updates.
