A new documentary about Irish weather and its TV forecasters is being aired on RTÉ One on Sunday evening.
Presented by well-known meteorologist Gerald Fleming, Weather Permitting looks at the science, beauty, folklore and future impact of this elemental force in our lives.
He brings viewers behind the scenes in Met Eireann where the forecasters and their colleagues work and learn about the challenges they overcome to accurately deliver weather forecasts.
In the documentary, we meet pioneers such as Paddy McHugh, one of the very first TV weather forecasters; Charlie Bird talks about Hurricane Charlie; and John Gormley about how the weather influences Irish voting.
From the Donegal postman who uses traditional weather forecasting and the early weathermen who cycled out to RTÉ in Donnybrook (as did Gerald Fleming) with hand-drawn charts and magnets to the satellite pictures of today, Weather Permitting brings us the humour, beauty and science behind forecasting.
Through the years there has been an interesting working relationship (and creative tension) between two disciplines - the physicists and the broadcasters. This relationship has been as enduring as our interest in and dependence on the weather forecast.
Weather Permitting is on RTE One on Sunday JUly 22nd at 6.30pm.
For an interview with Gerald Fleming, click here.
