Why are the BBC weather maps on fire? Is it none too subtle climate propaganda?

It used to be tabloids with their “Phew, Wot a Scorcher” headlines which were accused of sensationalising ordinary British summer days. - Ross Clark

(BBC weather forecast Tuesday 30th April, 2024)
"It was back to northerly winds this morning where I live in the Fens, so much so that I had to go back upstairs and put on a thermal vest before venturing outside. 

• But that’s not the impression you would have got from the weather map on last night’s BBC weather forecast...

But already the weather maps seem to depict scorching heat waves.

It turns out that BBC weather maps switch to yellow at a less than toasty 11 celsius and on to orange when the temperature is expected to reach 13 celsius. 

From 20 celsius upwards it is ever deeper shades of red. 

In the other direction, the weather only descends into blue when it is below freezing.

It used to be tabloids with their “Phew, Wot a Scorcher” headlines which were accused of sensationalising ordinary British summer days. Now, every TV weather forecast seems to be at it. We have to be made to feel guilty whenever it is pleasant enough to sit outside in shirt sleeves.