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Michael Fish

Michael Fish MBE FRMetS (born 27 April 1944) is a retired British meteorologist and broadcaster, renowned for his long tenure as a weather presenter on BBC Television from 1974 to 2004. Joining the Meteorological Office in 1962, he rose through the ranks to become one of the UK's most recognizable faces in weather forecasting, delivering thousands of weather broadcasts, including international ones, during his career. Fish gained international notoriety for his October 1987 forecast, in which he famously reassured viewers that a rumored hurricane would not affect the UK—only for the Great Storm to unleash devastating winds hours later, causing widespread damage and 18 deaths.^[1]^[2] Born in Eastbourne, East Sussex, Fish was educated at Eastbourne College and later studied Applied Physics at City University London while working at the London Weather Centre. His early career included postings at Gatwick Airport and the Met Office headquarters in Bracknell, where he focused on research before transitioning to broadcasting with BBC Radio in 1972 and television two years later. Over three decades on air, Fish pioneered the use of advanced computer graphics in UK weather presentations and contributed to meteorological training programs in Africa, while also writing articles on weather and travel for various publications. He retired from the BBC in 2004 after a 42-year career with the Met Office, including over 30 years in broadcasting, marking the end of an era that saw him become a national institution.^[1]^[3]^[4] Fish's post-retirement life has included notable public appearances, such as the featuring of his 1987 forecast clip in the 2012 London Olympics opening ceremony—viewed by up to a billion people worldwide—and stage performances in productions like Hurricane Michael and The Play What I Wrote. He received the MBE for services to meteorology in 2004, an Honorary Doctor of Science from City University in 1996 and from the University of Exeter in 2005, and the TRIC TV Weather Presenter of the Year award in 2004. A Fellow of the Royal Meteorological Society, Fish, as of 2025, continues to lecture on climate change, provide online weather forecasts, and enjoy hobbies like travel, food, and wine; he resides in Middlesex with his wife Susan and has two daughters, a granddaughter, and a grandson.^[1]^[5]^[6]

Early Life and Education

Birth and Upbringing

Michael Fish was born on 27 April 1944 in Eastbourne, East Sussex, England.^[1]^[7]^[8] His early years unfolded in post-World War II Britain, a period marked by economic recovery and rationing's lingering effects, amid the coastal town's vibrant seaside atmosphere. Eastbourne's position on the English Channel exposed young Fish to variable maritime weather, from frequent sea breezes to occasional gales, shaping his daily environment. He attended Dolphin House Junior School from age five and later Eastbourne College Preparatory School as a day boarder.^[3]^[9] Fish's passion for meteorology emerged in childhood, influenced by significant weather events like the devastating North Sea flood of 1953, which claimed over 300 lives in the UK and highlighted the power of storms. At around age nine during the flood, he began observing local coastal patterns, such as changing wind directions and cloud formations over the sea, fostering an early fascination with forecasting. This interest prompted him to pursue formal studies in related subjects.^[3]^[8]

Academic Background

Michael Fish attended Eastbourne College for his secondary education, where he completed his A-levels in chemistry, physics, and mathematics.^[9]^[1] These subjects provided a strong foundation in the scientific principles essential for meteorology, including atmospheric physics and mathematical modeling used in weather prediction.^[9] Following his secondary education, Fish pursued higher education at City University London, completing a sandwich course in Applied Physics from 1966 to 1968 while employed at the London Weather Centre.^[1]^[10] This program integrated practical work experience with academic study, focusing on coursework in physics, thermodynamics, and fluid dynamics—key areas that enhanced his skills in analyzing atmospheric phenomena and forecasting weather patterns.^[1] His A-level qualifications in physics and related sciences directly facilitated his entry into the Meteorological Office in 1962, where he began applying these principles to professional forecasting roles.^[1]^[8]^[11]

Professional Career

Met Office Beginnings

Michael Fish joined the Meteorological Office in November 1962 at the age of 18, immediately after leaving school.^[1]^[8] His initial posting was to Gatwick Airport, where he served as an assistant, performing tasks such as plotting weather charts and supporting aviation meteorology operations.^[12]^[13] This entry-level role provided hands-on experience in weather observation, including monitoring local conditions essential for aircraft safety.^[14] In 1965, Fish received a promotion and transferred to the Met Office headquarters in Bracknell, where he contributed to research projects focused on meteorological data analysis and forecasting techniques.^[1] During the late 1960s and early 1970s, he further developed his skills through practical assignments and formal education, including a sandwich course in Applied Physics at City University while stationed at the London Weather Centre.^[1] This period emphasized building expertise in numerical weather prediction and synoptic meteorology, foundational to professional forecasting roles.^[8] By 1971, Fish had advanced to forecasting duties at the London Weather Centre, where he began providing weather reports for BBC Radio, marking his initial foray into public communication of meteorological information.^[15]^[8] This radio work honed his ability to convey complex weather data accessibly. In 1974, these experiences led to opportunities in BBC television weather presenting.^[1]

BBC Weather Tenure

Michael Fish joined the BBC Television weather team in January 1974, embarking on a 30-year tenure as a key presenter that concluded with his retirement on 6 October 2004.^[1]^[16] During this period, he was responsible for delivering routine daily forecasts on major BBC News programmes, starting with three live UK broadcasts per day and expanding to over 100 global transmissions by the early 2000s, providing viewers with clear updates on temperature, precipitation, and wind conditions across regions.^[1] These broadcasts emphasized accessibility, using straightforward language to explain weather patterns without overwhelming technical jargon. Fish's presentation style underwent notable evolution, reflecting broader advancements in broadcasting technology. Initially, he relied on manual techniques, such as felt-tip pens for annotations and magnetic rubber symbols affixed to physical weather maps, which allowed for tactile, real-time adjustments during live segments.^[1]^[17] In 1985, the BBC replaced these analog methods with computer-generated graphics, introducing digital animations and symbols that enhanced visual clarity and integrated directly with meteorological data from satellites and models.^[18]^[19] This shift improved forecasting precision and presentation dynamism, enabling smoother transitions between maps and more accurate depictions of evolving weather systems throughout his career. Fish pioneered the use of these advanced computer graphics in UK weather presentations.^[1] As part of the BBC Weather Centre team, Fish collaborated closely with colleagues like Bill Giles and John Kettley, sharing responsibilities for national and regional forecasts to ensure consistent coverage across bulletins.^[20] His notable non-controversial broadcasts included routine evening summaries on BBC One and appearances on factual programmes like Panorama, where he provided weather context for current events, as well as light entertainment segments that popularized meteorology for wider audiences.^[1] During his tenure, Fish also contributed to meteorological training programs in Africa, including training television weathermen in various countries, and wrote articles on weather and travel for various publications.^[1]

Broadcasting Controversies

1987 Great Storm Forecast

On 15 October 1987, during a lunchtime broadcast on BBC One, meteorologist Michael Fish addressed viewer concerns about an impending hurricane while presenting the weather forecast for the coming days. He stated, "Earlier on today, apparently, a woman rang the BBC and said she'd heard there was a hurricane on the way. Well, if you're watching, don’t worry, there isn’t. But having said that, actually, the weather will become very windy, but most of the strong winds, incidentally, will be down over Spain and across into France."^[21] This comment downplayed rumors of a severe tropical storm originating from the North Atlantic, which Fish correctly noted was not affecting the UK, while he did issue a warning for gusts up to 70 mph (113 km/h) in southern England over the following night.^[22] That evening and into the early hours of 16 October, the Great Storm struck with unexpected ferocity, driven by a deep low-pressure system that intensified rapidly over the Bay of Biscay. Winds reached gusts of up to 115 mph (185 km/h) in parts of southern England, toppling approximately 15 million trees, blocking roads and railways, and causing structural damage to buildings and infrastructure across the region.^[23] The storm resulted in 18 deaths in the UK, primarily from falling debris and accidents, and inflicted an estimated £2 billion in damages, equivalent to widespread power outages affecting over a million homes and businesses.^[24] In northern France, where the storm made landfall first, it caused additional fatalities and disruption, with four more deaths reported and significant flooding and wind damage in coastal areas. In the immediate aftermath, the forecast drew intense media scrutiny, as the Met Office's models had only predicted gale-force winds rather than the storm's full hurricane-like intensity. Michael Fish later reflected that the error stemmed from the limitations of 1980s forecasting technology, including sparse satellite observations over the open ocean and a supercomputer capable of just four million calculations per second, which failed to capture the storm's rapid deepening or the "sting jet" phenomenon contributing to its destructive power.^[23] Fish emphasized in subsequent interviews that he had presented the information provided to him accurately, noting, "We didn't know it was going to be that bad—no one did," and that the incident highlighted the Met Office's reliance on incomplete data from ship reports and early weather satellites at the time.^[25] This event prompted initial reforms in meteorological communication practices within the UK.^[26]

The Michael Fish Effect

The "Michael Fish effect" refers to the heightened reluctance among UK weather forecasters to understate the severity of potential storms, stemming from the public backlash following Michael Fish's 1987 broadcast that downplayed an impending gale.^[27] This phenomenon has led to a cultural shift in forecasting, where meteorologists prioritize erring on the side of caution to mitigate reputational risks and ensure public safety, often resulting in more conservative predictions of severe weather events.^[23] In response to the 1987 incident, the UK Met Office implemented significant policy changes to address forecasting uncertainties and improve warning dissemination, directly influenced by the need to avoid similar communication failures. In the aftermath of the 1987 storm, the organization established the National Severe Weather Warning Service (NSWWS), a structured system for issuing tiered alerts to emergency services, government, and the public, emphasizing clear risk communication over absolute predictions.^[23] By the 2000s, this evolved into broader practices, including enhanced use of ensemble forecasting models to better convey probabilities of extreme weather, reflecting a more cautious approach to public advisories that has persisted in subsequent storm predictions.^[23] A notable example of this effect in action occurred during the May 2009 bank holiday in Bournemouth, where the Met Office's forecast of heavy rain and thunderstorms deterred visitors, only for the day to turn into the hottest of the year with clear skies, resulting in an estimated £1 million loss in tourism revenue.^[27] Such instances highlight how the effect can lead to economic repercussions from over-warnings, yet it underscores the Met Office's commitment to preparedness. In media and public perception, Michael Fish has become a enduring symbol of the pitfalls in weather forecasting, with the eponymous effect entering common parlance to describe any overly cautious or erroneous public prediction, often invoked in discussions of meteorological accountability.^[27]

Post-Retirement Activities

Return to Weather Presenting

After retiring from the BBC in 2004, Michael Fish returned to weather forecasting in a limited capacity, providing holiday cover for the regular presenter on BBC South East Today. This selective engagement allowed him to continue sharing his expertise on regional weather patterns for the southeast of England, drawing on his decades of experience at the Met Office.^[28] From 2010 until 24 December 2021, Fish collaborated with Netweather.tv, delivering weekly online video forecasts every Friday. These updates offered a medium-term outlook for the UK weekend and following week, utilizing advanced 3D graphics to illustrate weather developments. His final forecast marked the end of a 15-year partnership, during which he provided consistent, accessible meteorological insights to online audiences, after which he fully retired from regular weather forecasting.^[29]^[30]^[31] Fish's returns to presenting were driven by his enduring passion for meteorology, which he has described as a lifelong fascination stemming from his early career inspirations. Amid growing public discourse on climate change and extreme weather events, he emphasized the importance of accurate forecasting to educate viewers on evolving patterns, linking his continued involvement to a commitment to demystify these topics.^[32]

Public and Media Engagements

Following his retirement from the BBC in 2004, Michael Fish engaged in various media appearances that leveraged his decades of weather forecasting expertise. In 2012, he provided commentary on the weather for the London Olympics opening weekend, including forecasts for key events like the cycling road races and sailing competitions.^[33] In 2017, Fish participated in Fuller's London Pride's #WhenItRainsItPours social media campaign, delivering live weather updates via Twitter and Periscope to alert Londoners to rain, triggering free pints of beer at participating pubs.^[34] The promotion ran throughout February, emphasizing the brand's connection to British weather.^[35] That same year, Fish revisited the 1987 Great Storm in a BBC interview, reflecting on the infamous forecast and its lasting impact on public perception of weather predictions.^[36] He also featured in discussions marking the storm's 30th anniversary, clarifying meteorological details from the event, and produced a 30-minute BBC One program on the topic transmitted in the Inside Out slot.^[25] Fish ventured into acting with stage performances, including a provincial tour in the Morecambe and Wise tribute play The Play What I Wrote, which nearly sold out every show and received rave reviews. He also appeared in French Paste at the Shaw Theatre in the West End and played a vital role in the touring production Hurricane Michael (written and performed by Russell Layton), tied to the 30th anniversary of the 1987 storm, earning further positive reviews.^[1]^[37]

Personal Life and Legacy

Family and Personal Interests

Michael Fish married his childhood sweetheart, Susan Fish, in 1968, and the couple has resided in Twickenham, in southwestern Greater London, throughout much of their family life.^[3]^[1] They have two daughters, Alison and Nicola, both of whom have pursued careers outside meteorology—Alison as a special needs teacher and Nicola in client services for a creative agency.^[3]^[1] Fish's family provided steadfast support during his extensive broadcasting career, enabling him to balance professional demands with home life.^[3] The couple's family expanded further with grandchildren, including granddaughter Madeleine, born in 2010, and grandson Rufus, born in 2016.^[1] These additions have enriched Fish's personal world, offering opportunities for intergenerational connections beyond his public persona. Beyond family, Fish has pursued adventurous personal interests, notably undertaking a BASE jump from a London tower block in 2012 at the age of 68 to raise awareness about climate change.^[38] This daring stunt, which he trained for with experienced urban jumpers, highlighted his willingness to embrace physical challenges later in life and reflected his ongoing passion for environmental causes tied to his meteorological expertise.^[39]

Awards and Cultural Impact

In recognition of his extensive career in meteorology and broadcasting, Michael Fish was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2004 Queen's Birthday Honours for services to meteorology and broadcasting.^[40] Earlier that year, in March 2004, he received the Television and Radio Industries Club (TRIC) Award for Best Weather Presenter, affirming his prominence in television weather presentation.^[40] Fish also earned honorary Doctor of Science degrees from City University London in December 1996 and from the University of Exeter in July 2005, honoring his contributions to public understanding of weather science.^[1]^[41] Beyond formal accolades, Fish extended his influence through authorship, co-writing the 2007 book Storm Force: Britain’s Wildest Weather with colleagues Paul Hudson and Ian McCaskill. The volume details notable extreme weather events across British history, drawing on the authors' professional expertise to educate readers on meteorological phenomena.^[42] Fish's enduring cultural impact stems from his decades-long presence on BBC Weather, establishing him as an iconic weatherman in British popular culture. Often celebrated as a "national treasure" for his engaging style, he has been referenced in various media, including a notable clip of his 1987 forecast featured in the opening ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics, underscoring his role in collective memory.^[15]^[43] His public persona, blending reliability with memorable moments, continues to evoke nostalgia and respect among audiences familiar with his broadcasts.

References

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Biography of Michael Fish - MBE Hon. D.Sc. FRMetS
Now semi- retired as Britain's, and possibly the world's, longest-serving TV Weather Forecaster, Michael Fish was born in Eastbourne on 27th April 1944 and ...
[2]
Magazine | The wrong man - BBC NEWS | UK
Oct 15, 2007 · Michael Fish's infamous weather forecast 20 years ago today, in which he seemed to scotch rumours of a hurricane, has gone down in broadcasting history.Missing: biography | Show results with:biography
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Where are they now…? Weatherman Michael Fish - Daily Express
Jun 27, 2015 · VETERAN weatherman Michael Fish MBE became a familiar face with viewers when he began presenting BBC weather bulletins in 1974, ...Missing: biography | Show results with:biography
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None
Nothing is retrieved...<|control11|><|separator|>
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BBC Weather at 70
Michael Fish - a life in weather forecasting. Michael Fish, one of the BBC's longest serving weather forecasters remembers the high and lows of his career, ...Missing: biography | Show results with:biography
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Michael Fish - Biography - IMDb
Michael Fish was born on April 27, 1944 in Eastbourne, East Sussex, England, UK. He is an actor, known for Mickey One (1965), My Hero (2000) and Bad Girls (1999) ...
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Fish, Michael (1944-) Biography - BFI Screenonline
Born in Eastbourne, East Sussex, on 27 April 1944, Michael Fish decided to become a weather forecaster in early childhood. He duly joined the Met Office ...
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Sussex's Michael Fish and his famous 1987 Great Storm blunder
Feb 19, 2022 · At aged 13, he moved to Eastbourne College and gained A-Levels in chemistry, physics and maths. He then studied at City University in London and ...
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Fish, Michael - Showreel - The TV Room
Apr 15, 2022 · Michael was born in Eastbourne. He was employed by the Met Office for over forty years (1962 – 2004). His first posting was Gatwick Airport.<|control11|><|separator|>
[10]
Weatherman Fish retires after 30 years | The Northern Echo
Oct 7, 2004 · Fish joined the Met Office in 1962 and was posted to Gatwick Airport as an assistant making the tea and plotting charts. His break in ...
[11]
Outlook generally dull as weatherman Fish retires - The Telegraph
Oct 7, 2004 · Born in Eastbourne and educated at Eastbourne College, Mr Fish joined the Met Office in 1962 and was posted to Gatwick airport. He broke ...
[12]
Michael Fish - Historypin
I was born in 1944 and joined the Meteorological Office in 1962 and my first posting was at Gatwick Airport. In 1971 my broadcasting career began as I started ...
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https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1473527/Outlook-generally-dull-as-weatherman-Fish-retires.html
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Oct 15, 2022 · Fish was actually the longest-serving broadcast meteorologist on British television after joining the Met Office in 1962 and starting to ...Missing: early | Show results with:early
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Whatever Happened To BBC Weatherman Michael Fish?
Michael Fish Now. Early Life and Career. Born on April 27, 1944, in Eastbourne, East Sussex, Michael Fish developed a keen interest in weather from a young age.Missing: childhood family
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Magazine | R.I.P. Weather symbols - BBC NEWS | UK
May 16, 2005 · ... magnetic symbols were replaced in 1985 by computer graphics. The new technology may give viewers a clearer outlook, but for some the move ...Missing: evolution | Show results with:evolution
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Jan 10, 2014 · The BBC weather centre is celebrating 60 years since the first television weatherman appeared on a UK screen.
[18]
The UK weather broadcasters who always present a cheery outlook
Jan 6, 2018 · BILL GILES. BBC weathermen Bill Giles (L), Ian McCaskill (Centre) and Michael Fish having some hijinks. Bill led the BBC's weather team for 17 ...
[19]
Weather forecasting's post-1987 revolution - BBC
Oct 11, 2017 · In the BBC weather studio on 15 October 1987, Michael Fish had drawn on Met Office guidance to dismiss any suggestion that Britain might be ...
[20]
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Feb 18, 2022 · The Great Storm of October 1987 was brushed off by forecaster Michael Fish hours before it arrived, as he told viewers worried that a hurricane ...
[21]
Michael Fish got the storm of 1987 wrong | UK News - Sky News
Oct 11, 2017 · In a lunchtime broadcast on 15 October 1987, weather forecaster Michael Fish made a prediction that would come to define his career.
[22]
Lessons and legacy of the Great Storm of 1987 - Met Office
In the video below, Michael Fish and Alex Deakin reflect on their memories of the Great Storm of 1987 and explain how forecasting has improved since then.
[23]
Great Storm 1987: The day 18 people were killed - BBC
Oct 14, 2017 · Thousands of homes were left without power for several days, and the damage caused by the storm was put at more than £1bn. The number of ...
[24]
Michael Fish would not dismiss great storm of 1987 today, says Met ...
Oct 11, 2017 · Better data, supercomputing, and clearer understanding of sting jet phenomenon mean 30 years later severe weather warnings would be issued.
[25]
Storms ahead: Bournemouth anger over Met Office's bank holiday ...
May 28, 2009 · Mark Smith, the Dorset town's head of tourism, accused the Met Office of being afflicted by a "Michael Fish effect". He said they were ...
[26]
BBC weather presenters now - tragic death at 51, famous family and ...
Sep 24, 2022 · Michael Fish is one of the most famous names in BBC Weather history. He originally joined the Met Office in 1962, before moving into ...
[27]
Michael Fish Presents His Weekly Weather Forecast - Netweather.tv
Having retired from the BBC in 2004, Michael Fish (MBE) has been presenting his weekly forecast on Netweather since 2010.
[28]
It's farewell from Michael Fish - Netweather Community
Dec 24, 2021 · Sadly, Michael Fish is 'hanging up his weather station' after 15 years on Netweather. We're all going to miss him.
[29]
A Christmas Farewell From Michael Fish - Netweather
After 15 years with Netweather, Michael Fish is saying farewell. We'll all miss him, and from everyone at Netweather, thank you for everything Mike!
[30]
Weather forecaster Michael Fish tells what climate change means to ...
Dec 1, 2009 · Michael Fish, Britain's longest-serving TV weather forecaster tells what climate change means to him, and how he has always been fascinated by the weather.
[31]
Olympics Opening Weekend Weather Forecast - Michael Fish
Jul 27, 2012 · Michael Fish looks ahead to the weather for the opening ceremony of London 2012, the cycling road races and the sailing.
[32]
Michael Fish forecasts free beer when it rains - The Drinks Business
Feb 6, 2017 · The campaign allows Twitter users in London to claim a free pint when it rains. A live weather feed is shared on Twitter via Periscope and when rain appears, ...
[33]
Michael Fish backs Fuller's London Pride push to give away free pints
Feb 6, 2017 · Fuller's has signed former weatherman Michael Fish as the face of a new campaign that promises to give punters a free pint of London Pride ...
[34]
Michael Fish revisits 1987's Great Storm - BBC
Oct 15, 2017 · The weather forecaster Michael Fish, whose forecast famously preceded the 1987 Great Storm, has travelled around the south of England meeting some of the ...<|control11|><|separator|>
[35]
https://www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/Article/2017/02/06/Michael-Fish-backs-Fuller-s-London-Pride-push-to-give-away-free-pints/
[36]
Iconic TV weatherman Michael Fish B.A.S.E jumps for climate change
Aug 22, 2012 · Michael, who trained with experienced urban B.A.S.E jumpers prior to the jump, made the freefall jump from the rooftop, landing by parachute on ...
[37]
Entertainment | Actor Hurt leads Queen's honours - BBC NEWS
Jun 11, 2004 · An MBE goes to veteran TV weatherman Michael Fish, the UK's longest-serving TV weather forecaster. In March, he won the award for best weather ...
[38]
Previous honorary graduates - University of Exeter
2005. Michael Fish, 2005. Peter Ewins, 2006. Sir John Beringer, 2006. Professor William Wakeham, 2006. Dr Brian May CBE, 2007. Lord Stern of Brentford, 2007.
[39]
Storm force: Britain's wildest weather. - Met Office – Library
Publication Details: Storm force: Britain's wildest weather / Michael Fish, Ian McCaskill and Paul Hudson / 2007. Record copies. Total Active Reservations: 0.
[40]
Rewatching the London 2012 opening ceremony – what was it all ...
The rain pours seconds after a clip of the infamous Michael Fish 'hurricane' weather forecast is shown. Fish's report played down the risk of a hurricane in ...