Concern for the future of MWIS forecasts

Mountain Weather Information Service (MWIS) is a well respected and widely used (including by us) weather forecasting service aimed specifically at walkers. Its emphasis on conditions at altitude rather than in the valleys make it very different to the usual forecasts and its focus on individual mountain areas rather than huge swathes of countryside are invaluable.

MWIS relies for a lot of its funding on sportscotland and over the past week there has been a great deal of talk about the future of MWIS with statements and counter-statements flying about the internet.

On Saturday, 10th September 2016, Geoff Monk lead forecaster at MWIS said, in a press release:

"The funding withdrawal by SportScotland, following their previous decision to collaborate with MWIS (together with the Met Office), was a real shock and jeopardises the safety of those who use the mountains every day. All we want is for MWIS to continue to provide a consistent, quality service so that mountain users can enjoy the mountains safely, fully aware of what the weather will throw at them.

"MWIS has a stable, long-term future and the service will continue to be enhanced provided funding continues. We are asking SportScotland to come back to the negotiating table and commit to the continued funding of MWIS so its long-term future is secured."

Whilst Shaun Roberts, Principle of Glenmore Lodge which is part of sportscotland, speaking on behalf their behalf, issued a response which concluded:

"Lines of communications with MWIS have always been open and remain so. sportscotland's priority is to ensure there is a sustainable mountain forecast for Scotland through the provision of reliable, authoritative forecasts, which are relevant to outdoor activities and enable forecast users to make informed judgements about their chosen activities. This is precisely what we will deliver and we will ensure there is a continuity of this service."

Unfortunately this does nothing to answer the plethora of voices asking if funding of MWIS forecasts will continue.

MWIS forecasts have always had input from Geoff's personal experience of mountain conditions and are not just an automated computer model. Many walkers, mountaineers, and climbers, in the Lakes, Wales, and all over Scotland have come to respect and rely on them. They give the information required in a readable, concise, consistent, and accessible format.

Our use of them over many years in the mountains of the UK has shown them to be consistently more accurate than the Met Office mountain forecasts. It will not only be a shame if MWIS as we know it disappears; it will also put lives at greater risk, especially in winter conditions.

Tagged: news, safety

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