Viewers of the weather forecasts on the BBC will notice they have undergone a major facelift. The old-fashioned symbols have gone to be replaced by hi-tech images of the actual weather the Met Office is forecasting to try and make the weather as 'real' as possible. The presenters will be able to move from area to area or use a wider view to actually show the weather, such as rain, on the move.

The new graphics are produced using Met Office data and information and are presented nationally, and in some regions, by Met Office staff. They have worked closely with the BBC to ensure that while they provide a fresh look for the weather forecasts, they retain the same level of integrity that both organisations are known for.

George Cowling in 1954

The Met Office and the BBC have been working together to provide the public with up-to-date weather information for more than 50 years and this partnership continues to grow stronger every year. The first live TV forecast was broadcast from the Lime Grove studios in 1954 and was presented by Met Office forecaster George Cowling - who had to draw his own chart over a map of the UK. Things have moved on since then, but the last time the presentation received a major overhaul was in the 1970s.

Dr Liz Walker, the Met Office's manager at the BBC, said: "Although we've updated minor things - like getting rid of the magnetic symbols - we haven't changed the way the weather is presented for more than 20 years. Obviously, technology has improved greatly, and, more significantly, the viewers' expectations have increased since then. As with any new thing we know that they may take a while to get used to, but we hope that viewers will find the new look forecasts both informative and enjoyable."

BBC Weather Centre