Hillgoers rely on accurate weather forecasts. Photo: Bob Smith/grough
An independent weather forecasting service at the centre of a storm over its future said its finances have been secured.
Geoff Monk of the Mountain Weather Information Service said there had been a misunderstanding over continuing funding beyond 2016.
Mr Monk said at the weekend the Galloway-based service would have to end in December because its annual £36,000 grant from sportscotland was due to end.
But this evening, the Scottish Government agency and MWIS issued a joint statement. It said: “Following discussions between sportscotland and the Mountain Weather Information Service, both organisations have provided reassurances that the current forecasting service will be maintained.
“sportscotland has been working in partnership with MWIS since 2007 to provide critical mountain weather forecasting, which has been a valued service for people who use Scotland’s hills and mountains.
“An agreement has been reached whereby sportscotland will continue the same levels of investment into MWIS to enable them to sustain current forecast provision throughout a development period which will result in a sustainable, long-term and enhanced service.”
sportscotland said it has invested £150,000 in MWIS over the past four-year cycle and has agreed to continue with the same level of investment throughout the development phase for a minimum of three years.
Mr Monk, lead forecaster at MWIS, said: “It is great news that we have reached this agreement and I’m pleased sportscotland is to continue investing in MWIS at the same financial level as in previous years.
“There was a misunderstanding about investment beyond 2016 and now we have a resolution to cover the development phase before a sustainable, long-term service is up and running.
“We can focus on continuing to provide a quality service to help people enjoy the mountains safely and we look forward to working with sportscotland to support the development plans.”
Stewart Harris, chief executive of sportscotland said: “sportscotland has consistently maintained that we would guarantee the continuation of a high-quality mountain weather forecasting service and that is precisely what has been delivered.
“I’m delighted that we will continue to work in partnership by investing in MWIS for a minimum period of three years throughout the development phase while we plan for a sustainable and enhanced service for the long-term.
“In the coming months, we look forward to working with a wider stakeholder group, including the Met Office, MWIS, Mountaineering Scotland and the outdoor community, which engaged in our 2015 survey about developing an enhanced service.
“The outcome we are all working towards during the development phase is a sustainable mountain forecast service for Scotland through the provision of reliable, authoritative forecasts which informs good decision-making on the mountains.
“We recognise how highly valued MWIS is by the outdoor community and we want to help deliver the continuation of a high-quality mountain weather forecasting service.”
Mr Monk said the MWIS team was incredibly grateful for the level of support, feedback and input that it had received from forecast users in the past few days.
Aileen Campbell, minister for public health and sport, added: “I am pleased a resolution has been reached that allows the high quality service provided by MWIS to continue and the reassurance this will give to those who rely on it when enjoying Scotland’s wild landscapes.
“I am also pleased that the wider view and consideration of those with a passion and interest in outdoor sports will be reflected and harnessed as we work towards creating a long term and sustainable mountain forecast service for Scotland.
“I look forward to working with that group and engaging with the progress in this important national service for Scotland.”
Pete Owens
14 September 2016This has all looked pretty murky, but it seems things got a bit clearer once Scottish ministers and the head honcho of sportscotland got involved.
I guess the Met Office is eager for business, having lost the general BBC weather forecast contract last year, but did they really think MWIS could just be elbowed out?
Geoff Monk has produced clear forecasts which I've found as accurate and useful as any. Both he and (recently) sportscotland deserve huge thanks for what they have done in providing this vital service over the last few years.
It's to be hoped that ways are found to consult with hill-goers, so that we get as good or better from the new service, making use of Geoff Monk's expertise while allowing him to make a gradual and honoured exit, if that's what he wants. Endings can be positive if they're planned for.
One further important point - south of the border, we have even more need for the service to continue. Snowdon, Scafell and one or two other hills furth of Scotland have more traffic than any other hills in Britain, with the possible exception of the Ben. Lack of awareness of hill weather and adequate equipment to deal with it are major factors in MRT callouts, as recent discussions on Grough have highlighted. The great unwashed may not read mountain weather forecasts, but they can't if there aren't any. We need to involve the English and Welsh governments in supporting the service, so that the present MWIS forecasts for these areas are continued.
Margaret
15 September 2016MWIS uses information from the Met Office; see MWIS website.
There are many sources of weather information, albeit that in some cases interpretation may be required.
A once anarchic activity (Mountaineering) more and more now under the wing of government through their executive non-departmental public bodies.