BOM restores old rain radar after widespread backlash of ‘flawed’ website

6 days ago 5

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The Bureau of Meteorology will revert to its previous colour scheme on its rain radar and weather map following widespread confusion and heated backlash to the agency’s upgraded website.

Acting chief executive Peter Stone announced on Friday afternoon the changes had been adopted immediately while the bureau began staged improvements to its site.

He announced the changes following a meeting with state and territory disaster ministers earlier on Friday.

How Tuesday’s wet weather in Brisbane appeared on the old BOM radar (left) compared to the updated website (right).

“We’ve listened to your feedback, and have restored the previous radar colour scheme,” the acting chief executive said.

“We will continue to assess options for further updates and improvements at the same time as pushing on with our efforts to help the community become more familiar with the new website.

“So more changes are in the pipeline.”

The backflip comes after widespread backlash to the new website, and after the bureau was ordered by Environment Minister Murray Watt to explain how its $4.1 million website upgrade had sparked community outrage.

“The BOM website is a critical tool to ensure public safety, particularly during the high-risk weather season and it must deliver the quality information our hardworking BOM staff are known for,” Watt said earlier this week.

Criticism of the site kicked off earlier this week after a severe storm on Sunday caught many in south-east Queensland off guard, leaving more than 100,000 homes without power.

Queensland Premier David Crisafulli told state parliament the website was “flawed” and had failed in its duty to prepare residents.

“The changes to the federally run Bureau of Meteorology website are not good enough,” he said on Tuesday morning.

“The changes to the website don’t make sense. The website is flawed. Easy access to individual radars have been removed.

“The colour scheme we became accustomed to has changed, and platitudes from Canberra won’t cut it with Queenslanders.”

Changes made on October 22 included a new colour scheme with orange indicating the heaviest storm activity instead of the previous black.

More to come.

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