WEATHER forecasting is a relatively difficult business. However, on so many occasions in recent years the forecasts have been so hopeless as to render them useless.

Take today, for example. We were told that there would be some rain this morning in this area, clearing by early afternoon, 3pm at the latest, to leave a dry and bright afternoon.

I went to the cricket match at the Ageas Bowl today and everyone I spoke to agreed about the forecast. As late as 4.30pm the local weather forecast, accessed on the iPhone, declared that the weather at Hedge End would be sunny and bright from 5pm onwards. I am writing this letter at 8pm and it is STILL raining in Southampton, as it has been for the past four hours.

Just what it the point of these appallingly inaccurate forecasts and the useless forecasters who seem to regard it as a joke when they go so badly wrong?

The only serious purpose of weather forecasts is 1) during the short harvesting season from mid-July to early September when they can warn farmers about impending heavy rain (which rarely occurs at that time of year) so that they can advance their harvesting plans and 2) during the occasional severe winter storm between the end of October and March so that fishermen can be advised to stay in port for a day or two.

Apart from that the forecast is of no serious importance whatsoever – if you want to know what the weather is going to be like in the day ahead simply look out of the window.

D F. RICHARDS, Southampton.