Accurate Weather Forecast - Is there such a thing?

[Raynor]

Forecasts are really only useful for wind I find.

In general terms, I find the met office to be wrong more often than not and BBC weather more accurate. That said, both of them have a tendency to change their "forecast" last minute which basically means they are just telling you what the current weather conditions are so I don't think it can actually be classed as a forecast.

For hill walking, I will check the wind on BBC weather and just assume it will rain regardless of forecast

[Gareth Harper]

Forecasts are really only useful for wind I find.

In general terms, I find the met office to be wrong more often than not and BBC weather more accurate. That said, both of them have a tendency to change their "forecast" last minute which basically means they are just telling you what the current weather conditions are so I don't think it can actually be classed as a forecast.

For hill walking, I will check the wind on BBC weather and just assume it will rain regardless of forecast

The only BBC mountain forecast I am aware of is broadcast on Radio Scotland, and I assume it is issued by the Met Office.
I mainly refer to https://www.mwis.org.uk/ and sometimes https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/specialist-forecasts/mountain

Both usually have some indication of confidence.

[Essan]

Weather Apps are not forecasts. They're basically just visual representations of the latest computer model output (usually just GPS - though the MetO and Meteogroup ones incorporate other models as well). If you watch them regularly to see how they change from run to run then they can be used as tools to make a forecast.

Bear in mind that not even the best meteorologists are gods or have access to time machines. So they can only forecast what is most likely to happen, based on their knowledge and experience, not what definitely will happen - especially when the weather is unsettled (forecasting when we have high pressure around is much easier and nothing much changes!)

[crfishwick]

As the title suggests! No such thing an estimated guess. Although nowadays a little better than yesteryear.
I use the met office and the rest are basically the same forecast. The problem with the met is if you sign up for their warnings you end up with about 10 a day! Ended up having to divert to spam mail because it doesn't allow you to opt out easily.

Also use the shipping forecast for a 48 hour period when in the hills.

[Walkinmyfootsteps]

I would say no. Storms today were forecast, turned up to be the nicest day of the year.

[prog99]

Today the forecast said there'd be a lull and it turned out to be correct so if you picked your objective carefully it was possible to have a good day. Its hammering down now in lochaber.