COME rain or shine, a pioneering weather forecasting web site could bring more than £2 million a year to Bournemouth.

Stung by the Met Office's faulty predictions last summer, which it blames for around 25,000 potential visitors staying away for Whitsun Bank Holiday, Bournemouth Tourism teamed up with Weathernet, in Hinton Road, to give tourists and residents detailed three-day forecasts.

The unique-to-Bournemouth service, at bournemouthweather.co.uk, also gives ideas of things to do whatever the weather.

Head of Bournemouth Tourism Mark Smith said: "Hopefully this will put an end to problems like last year's.

"People will be able to make the best use of their time, and the sunshine that we do have.

"For those sitting in a hotel planning their next day, this will be really useful, and equally residents hoping to have a barbecue in Kinson will know to expect a shower."

Mr Smith added that Bournemouth's mild climate means it will benefit hugely from accurate local predictions, and that giving visitors better information will encourage them to return.

Users also have the option to phone a weather reporter.

Weathernet will be studying satellite weather maps over Bournemouth Seafront area and giving sunrise, sunset times, sunburn index, pollen count, maximum temperature and winds.

Set up in 1995, it uses historical statistics from 1879.

The Campbell-Stokes sunshine recorder is worth more than £1,000.


BOURNEMOUTH'S tourist trade will be given a welcome boost this weekend if weather predictions are anything to go by.

The next few days are set to bring beach weather as temperatures are forecast to reach 22c on both Saturday and Sunday and up to 24c on Monday and Tuesday.

WeatherNet's Dr Richard Wild, said: "In Bournemouth, the highest temperatures that will occur on Saturday and Sunday are predicted to be around 22C (72F) on both days.

"Then on Monday the temperature is predicted to be around 24C (75F) and on Tuesday the temperature is forecast to be between 22C and 24C. So there should be unbroken sunshine for the whole weekend and Monday."