Sir, - Until last week we received excellent, detailed and informed weather forecasts on RTE1 from the professional meteorologists of Met Eireann. Until a couple of months ago these forecasts also included clear satellite photographs of the Atlantic and Europe, complete with maps of isobars and full details of barometric pressure and weather fronts.
Now, not only have those images been replaced by a fast-moving computer model (which actually gives less detail but is harder to assimilate) but, far more importantly, the meteorologists have been replaced by "presenters".
Gone is the detailed information about what is happening to the weather systems over the Atlantic and Europe and explanations from meteorologists of how this will influence our weather over the coming week. Gone also is the extra, and always interesting, information on why meteorological phenomena may affect us, and also news of outstanding meteorological events in other parts of the world.
What was the rationale behind this decision? If it was for better weather forecasts, it is a failure. If it was to follow the trend in other countries, why? If it was merely to give viewers a glamorous presenter, this indeed is a sad decision and shows at the very least a lack of respect for the intelligence of Irish viewers.
This step from a high-quality service to a mediocre one should be reversed, and as soon as possible, before the excellent meteorologists of Met Eireann go elsewhere. - Yours, etc., Anthea Sullivan,
Church Cross, Skibbereen, Co Cork.