For those of you who think that the trend towards increased subjectivity in forecasts, like the increased frequency at which the phrase "at least it will be mild" is used, is more due to the BBC than the Met Office, here is an article from 2005 that strongly supports that view.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4310702.stm

Now I'm not sure what to say about the first part of the Met Office's advice, moving away from using scientific language, as of course you get the problem of confusion vs. perpetuating lack of understanding by taking away information- it's a tradeoff. But the second part of their suggestions actually make many of the same points re. spin and subjectivity as I've been making for some time (the paragraph relating to telling people what is good and bad could just as easily have been lifted from one of my posts!). It is clear that the BBC has taken on board the first part of the Met Office's advice and not the second.

So next time you hear that accursed phrase "at least it will be mild"... don't go blaming the Met Office!