Not quite sure where the "irony" is - isn't the fact that regional forecasters now have all the tools the national team have, and that regional forecasts now complement national ones - whereas, before, each forecast (national or regional) was almost the same. In some regions - the South West, for example - with sailing and/or farming communities, there is a greater understanding of weather/meteorology. As far as the research is concerned, my understanding was that most people don't understand pressure charts fully, and some found them off-putting - so they're used more in forecasts and regions where they are of greater benefit, which seems sensible. They are also easily available online. I don't think anyone's ever claimed that people either understand them fully or not at all!