‘Bit of a glitch’: BBC Weather app forecasts 15,759mph winds in UK

The BBC told people to “not be alarmed” after its weather app said on Thursday morning that the UK was being buffeted by a hurricane.

The broadcaster said the UK was not expecting “hurricane force winds” of 15,759mph, contrary to the information on its weather site and app.

The BBC Breakfast presenter Naga Munchetty asked the weather presenter Carol Kirkwood on air what was happening. “Lots of people are getting in touch this morning, as I’m sure you’ll be aware as well at the weather centre,” she said. “The BBC app is giving some rather confusing information. Can you explain it?”

Kirkwood replied: “It certainly is, we’re having a technical glitch at the moment. It’s showing wind speeds far too fast. In fact, hurricane strength, and of course that is not the case at all, so please do not be alarmed. We are, as you say, well aware of it and we are on it, we’re trying to fix it right now, so hopefully that will sort it out.”

On X, the senior BBC presenter Jen Bartram posted: “Bit of a glitch with the BBC Weather app at the moment – needless to say, the UK is not expecting hurricane force winds of 15759mph. It’s an unfortunate data glitch – apologies, we are working on it.”

At 6.43am, BBC Weather posted: “You may have noticed some data issues on our app and website. We are working hard to fix it quickly. Sorry – please bear with us. In the meantime, here are Thursday’s weather headlines: Colder, clearer air moving in – Rain and drizzle in south – Blustery showers near east coast.”