It’s time to rain on weather ‘forecaster’s’ parade

It is astonishing that Lynne Kelleher has blithely announced (Irish Examiner, Jan 2) more prophecies from weather ‘guru’ Ken Ring, considering his wild inaccuracy. Does Ms Kelleher check Mr Ring’s forecasts against the outcomes?

Yet another credulous article under her byline (Irish Examiner, Nov 20, 2013) was prominently headlined “White Christmas for Ireland’s South, says NZ forecaster”. This hilarious report dramatically predicted “plunging sub-zero temperatures on Christmas Eve”.

Moreover, “January’s first week may be the coldest of the season, possibly reaching below -10 C in the north-east and -8c for Dublin”.

In fact, temperatures are 7C to 10C in the first week of 2014.

But what has surely damaged Ring’s dubious meteorological reputation beyond repair is his failure to foresee the persistent and ferocious gales and rain-storms of the last few weeks, particularly the severe tempest of Dec 26-27, the worst in 15 years.

John A Murphy

Rosebank

Douglas Road

Cork