A verification of UK gale forecasts by the 'solar weather technique': October 1995 September 1997

In recent years the 'solar weather' technique of weather forecasting which takes into account of the influence of the sun has received much attention. No attempt has hitherto been made to determine the success, or otherwise, of elements of these forecasts, which include solar predictors and are prep ared 6-11 months in advance of the events they predict. This paper conducts an evaluation of these forecasts but confines attention to the prediction of gales. Skill levels are assessed over different seasons. The results, wh ilst differing greatly between the seasons, reveal a degree of success that cannot readily be accounted for by chance and suggest that this system of forecasting continues to be assessed over a longer time period to further i nvestigate these findings. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserv ed.