George Cowling

TRIBUTES have been paid to George Cowling, the first television weather forecaster, who has passed away aged 89.

Born on March 2 1920 in Leeds, he was the son of a newspaper compositor and joined the Met Office, then part of the Ministry of Defence, aged 19.

He worked through the war as a weather forecaster for the RAF,

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stationed initially in Yorkshire, and then on the Continent.

From 1942 to 1953, he moved around the world as a forecaster for the Air Force, before moving to the London Weather Centre in 1954.

After 15 years with the Met, he was transferred to the London Weather Centre where he coped successfully with the exacting requirements of his new television job.

Mr Cowling made history on January 11, 1954 when he fronted the BBC's first television forecast.

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However, the broadcast was very different to the hi-tech gadgetry that today's fashion and image conscious forecasters have at their disposal as they attempt to become celebrities in their own right – something

that was anathema to Mr Cowling.

His studio facilities and technology was primitive in comparison. Tucked away in a cramped corner of an announcer's studio at BBC Lime Grove, his "graphics" comprised of two hand-drawn weather charts fixed to an easel with drawing pins. A squeaky charcoal pencil could be used to enhance the charts while live on air.

Promotion took him, in February 1957, to RAF Bomber Command. Subsequent postings included Singapore, Malta, Bahrain and Germany. He also taught at the Met Office College and was principal forecaster at Heathrow.

After a 40-year career in the Met Office which ended with his retirement in 1981, Mr Cowling joined a private-sector forecasting firm, where he provided sound and valued advice to less-experienced colleagues.

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Editorial manager of BBC weather, Richard Chapman, said: "George has a unique place in the history of weather broadcasting.

"Our thoughts are with his family.

"He was always highly regarded by the BBC weather team as it grew and developed over the years, and he continued to take a keen interest in how the weather story was told to our audiences."

A Met Office spokesman said: "The Met Office was saddened to hear of George Cowling's death. George had a long and distinguished career with us and he has a unique place in our history, being there at the very beginning of live TV weather forecasts. Our sympathies go out to his family and many friends."

His hobbies included bridge, chess, gardening, DIY and a weekly round of golf with fellow TV weather forecasters Jack Scott and Bert Foord, both of whom pre-deceased him.

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The BBC said Mr Cowling remembered meeting Princess Margaret, who reacted with pleasure when he told her frost was on the way.

The royal said: "That's good news – I love the cold weather."

Not knowing what to say, he replied: "Perhaps Ma'am, you don't suffer from frozen pipes like the rest of us."