Same behaviour irrespective of place selected across Firefox andWorking fine for me (Edge) with two locations I have had bookmarked for years.
Chrome (on Windows 7) and Safari on an iPad all using the same
internet connection from Zen.
Anybody else see this?
Since sometime yesterday evening the site:
<https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/>
... has behaved wrongly. The home page opens OK, but navigating to a
recent place - Thetford - like this:
<https://weather.metoffice.gov.uk/forecast/u12d1jksg#?date=2025-06-24>
... brings up a broken page. Have a look for yourself ...
Same behaviour irrespective of place selected across Firefox and Chrome
(on Windows 7) and Safari on an iPad all using the same internet
connection from Zen.
Anybody else see this?
Since sometime yesterday evening the site:
<https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/>
... has behaved wrongly. The home page opens OK, but navigating to a
recent place - Thetford - like this:
<https://weather.metoffice.gov.uk/forecast/u12d1jksg#?date=2025-06-24>
... brings up a broken page. Have a look for yourself ...
MikeS wrote:
[snip]
Same behaviour irrespective of place selected across Firefox andWorking fine for me (Edge) with two locations I have had bookmarked
Chrome (on Windows 7) and Safari on an iPad all using the same
internet connection from Zen.
Anybody else see this?
for years.
So given my cross-platform failures, should I blame my internet connection?
Have just rebooted my router - same failure.
Do you block adverts? A bad advert can break a page.
Carlos E.R. wrote:
[snip]
Do you block adverts? A bad advert can break a page.
Would an unblocked bad advert give the same faulty display across 3
browsers and two platforms?
So given my cross-platform failures, should I blame my internetOP here ...
connection?
Have just rebooted my router - same failure.
Viewing the site using Chrome on an Android phone looks correct. This
is using WiFi to my router.
Carlos E.R. wrote:
[snip]
Do you block adverts? A bad advert can break a page.
Would an unblocked bad advert give the same faulty display across 3
browsers and two platforms?
On 2025-06-24 12:01, Graham J wrote:
So given my cross-platform failures, should I blame my internet connection? >>>OP here ...
Have just rebooted my router - same failure.
Viewing the site using Chrome on an Android phone looks correct. This is using WiFi to
my router.
If you have a mobile phone, you can try with it connected to the WiFi, or connected via
mobile data. That would rule out or confirm the router fault.
You might try as well the computer tethered to the phone.
On 6/24/25 6:18 AM, Carlos E.R. wrote:
On 2025-06-24 12:01, Graham J wrote:I use Comcast/Xfinity for my internet. I had one instance where any connection to a specific site via the router failed. I used 4 devices and numerous browsers, all failing.
So given my cross-platform failures, should I blame my internet connection?OP here ...
Have just rebooted my router - same failure.
Viewing the site using Chrome on an Android phone looks correct. This is using WiFi to my router.
If you have a mobile phone, you can try with it connected to the WiFi, or connected via mobile data. That would rule out or confirm the router fault.
You might try as well the computer tethered to the phone.
When I turned off wi-fi on the phone and forced cell service only (T-Mobile) it worked.
I could reliably flip this around in many ways, even tethering the laptop to the phone and using it's cell service. Then the laptop worked.
The solution was to order a new router. Resetting in oh so many ways did no good.
Grahams problem starts with something stored in a Cookie,
or more likely in DOM storage (a folder with +++ in the folder name).
A long string of web pages arranged vertically, sounds like
a sort of Mobile representation, suitable for scrolling
with your thumb. Normally, web sites have a separate domain
defined for Mobile users, making it more obvious why the
content is shaped differently.
At irregular intervals, I clean out DOM storage and delete
the Cookie file. Usually after threads like this, which serve
as a reminder. This is easier to do on Firefox, where there
isn't an attempt to obfuscate what to clean like on Chrome.
Java Jive wrote:
[snip]
Not so sure, it's happening here as well, FF 115.25.0esr (64-bit), and
I cleaned out the cookies and storage last night when I first noticed,
but it made no difference.
AFAICT, this is just the latest attempt by the Met Office to "upgrade"
their website by "fixing" what was never broken. They're always
causing shit like this, and it's a bloody PITA.
OP here - my suspicion is that the MetOffice have "upgraded" their
website so it only works on a modern browser in a modern OS.
Nice to know I'm not the only victim. What OS do you use?
It fails here with W7 and the older browsers (Firefox, Chrome,
SeaMonkey, and Edge) that still work with W7. Similarly the iPad
version 15.8.4 - while still supported - is not the newest model: and it fails there.
Chrome on an Android phone does work as expected, but it's in effect a completely different website to generate the mobile-friendly pages.
Not so sure, it's happening here as well, FF 115.25.0esr (64-bit), and I cleaned out the cookies and storage last night when I first noticed, but
it made no difference.
AFAICT, this is just the latest attempt by the Met Office to "upgrade"
their website by "fixing" what was never broken. They're always causing shit like this, and it's a bloody PITA.
Since sometime yesterday evening the site:
<https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/>
... has behaved wrongly. The home page opens OK, but navigating to a
recent place - Thetford - like this:
<https://weather.metoffice.gov.uk/forecast/u12d1jksg#?date=2025-06-24>
... brings up a broken page. Have a look for yourself ...
Same behaviour irrespective of place selected across Firefox and Chrome
(on Windows 7) and Safari on an iPad all using the same internet
connection from Zen.
Anybody else see this?
Since sometime yesterday evening the site:
<https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/>
... has behaved wrongly. The home page opens OK, but navigating to a
recent place - Thetford - like this:
<https://weather.metoffice.gov.uk/forecast/u12d1jksg#?date=2025-06-24>
... brings up a broken page. Have a look for yourself ...
Same behaviour irrespective of place selected across Firefox and Chrome
(on Windows 7) and Safari on an iPad all using the same internet
connection from Zen.
Anybody else see this?
On 2025-06-24 19:21, Graham J wrote:
Java Jive wrote:
[snip]
Not so sure, it's happening here as well, FF 115.25.0esr (64-bit),
and I cleaned out the cookies and storage last night when I first
noticed, but it made no difference.
AFAICT, this is just the latest attempt by the Met Office to
"upgrade" their website by "fixing" what was never broken. They're
always causing shit like this, and it's a bloody PITA.
OP here - my suspicion is that the MetOffice have "upgraded" their
website so it only works on a modern browser in a modern OS.
Nice to know I'm not the only victim. What OS do you use?
It fails here with W7 and the older browsers (Firefox, Chrome,
SeaMonkey, and Edge) that still work with W7. Similarly the iPad
version 15.8.4 - while still supported - is not the newest model: and
it fails there.
Chrome on an Android phone does work as expected, but it's in effect a
completely different website to generate the mobile-friendly pages.
W7 also. Doesn't work on the latest Pale Moon either, but that's no surprise these days, unfortunately.
Seems to work fine here with Pale Moon 33.7.2, however I'm not sure what
it is supposed to look like. In places the writing can hardly be seen
over the background picture.
Email to e n q u i r i e s @ m e t o f f i c e . g o v . u k ...
Dear Sir/Madam,
Yet again, for at least the third time in as many years, you've broken
the forecast pages on your website. For example, in the latest version
of Firefox available for Windows 7, 115.25.0esr (64-bit), the following
page is badly broken, despite clearing all the Met Office cookies and
local storage:
https://weather.metoffice.gov.uk/forecast/gfkdukcx3#?nearestTo=IV27&date=2025-06-25
As the page is not W3C compliant ...
https://validator.w3.org/nu/?doc=https%3A%2F%2Fweather.metoffice.gov.uk%2Fforecast%2Fgfkdukcx3
... (48 messages, 46 errors) unsurprisingly it looks an absolute mess:
https://www.macfh.co.uk/Temp/MetOffice1.jpg https://www.macfh.co.uk/Temp/MetOffice2.jpg https://www.macfh.co.uk/Temp/MetOffice3.jpg
Just to add insult to injury, the webpage form to complain about your
website is broken as well ...
https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/forms/website-feedback
... and as it too is non-compliant ...
https://validator.w3.org/nu/?doc=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.metoffice.gov.uk%2Fforms%2Fwebsite-feedback
... (19 messages, 2 errors) its lack of functionality is also no
surprise ...
"Confirm you are a real person
We need to make sure you are not a robot, please complete the security
check"
... but there is no such security check displayed.
Please make your website fully W3C compliant asap.
[Anonymised].
On 2025-06-25 01:13, Java Jive wrote:
Email to e n q u i r i e s @ m e t o f f i c e . g o v . u k ...
Dear Sir/Madam,
Yet again, for at least the third time in as many years, you've broken
the forecast pages on your website. For example, in the latest
version of Firefox available for Windows 7, 115.25.0esr (64-bit), the
following page is badly broken, despite clearing all the Met Office
cookies and local storage:
https://weather.metoffice.gov.uk/forecast/gfkdukcx3#?nearestTo=IV27&date=2025-06-25
As the page is not W3C compliant ...
https://validator.w3.org/nu/?doc=https%3A%2F%2Fweather.metoffice.gov.uk%2Fforecast%2Fgfkdukcx3
... (48 messages, 46 errors) unsurprisingly it looks an absolute mess:
https://www.macfh.co.uk/Temp/MetOffice1.jpg
https://www.macfh.co.uk/Temp/MetOffice2.jpg
https://www.macfh.co.uk/Temp/MetOffice3.jpg
Just to add insult to injury, the webpage form to complain about your
website is broken as well ...
https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/forms/website-feedback
... and as it too is non-compliant ...
https://validator.w3.org/nu/?doc=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.metoffice.gov.uk%2Fforms%2Fwebsite-feedback
... (19 messages, 2 errors) its lack of functionality is also no
surprise ...
"Confirm you are a real person
We need to make sure you are not a robot, please complete the security
check"
... but there is no such security check displayed.
Please make your website fully W3C compliant asap.
[Anonymised].
Good morning,
I hope this email finds you well. I am emailing you to update the recent changes you have witnessed on our public weather website.
I would like to confirm that the changes seen were not actioned by The
Met Office, but instead a reaction to recent changes on browsers and the support offered to them. This issue has yet to be evidenced in browsers supported by The Met Office Public weather Website.
To see the Public website in the previously recognised format, you would
need to upgrade the browser version you are using or the Operating
System of your device. This issue is affecting users on unsupported
mobile devices (phones/tablets) as well as those on PCs and Laptops with unsupported software on them.
As per our Met Office Website Policy page - which details the level of support we offer and to which browsers – we currently only support the latest two versions of Chrome and Safari; the latest version of Edge and Samsung Internet; finally the latest version of Firefox only being
partially supported. This policy has been developed to comply with the
World Wise Web Consortium (W3C) AA Accessibility Standards. It also
details the Decision Tree of which versions would continue to be
supported or no longer supported
We appreciate this may be frustrating, but without updating or replacing
this unsupported software/hardware you will be unable to view the public weather website in the correct format. If, after updating your browser
or OS to the most up to date and supported version you are still
experiencing issues, please detail this and evidence the version you are currently on. We will then escalate this with our support teams to investigate further.
For information on the most up to date browsers, please check https://browser-update.org/browsers.html or https://www.whatismybrowser.com/guides/the-latest-version/ and for more information on updating your browser, please see: https://browser-update.org/update-browser.html#3
We would like to thank you for your patience and understanding in this
matter and we appreciate the information you have provided at this time.
Kind regards,
[Anonymised]
Weather Desk
[Contact details of Met Office, Exeter snipped]
On 2025-06-25 14:02, Graham J wrote:
Java Jive wrote:
[snip weasel words form MetOffice]
Is it possible that public organisation such as the MetOffice have an
obligation to continue support for much older operating systems?
I do vaguely recall something of this nature, not older OSs
specifically, but general standards including accessibility. I'll see
if I can find anything about it.
Java Jive wrote:
[snip weasel words form MetOffice]
Is it possible that public organisation such as the MetOffice have an obligation to continue support for much older operating systems?
I imagine many users continue to work with Windows 7 ...
On 2025-06-25 12:57, Java Jive wrote:
On 2025-06-25 01:13, Java Jive wrote:
Email to e n q u i r i e s @ m e t o f f i c e . g o v . u k ...
Dear Sir/Madam,
Yet again, for at least the third time in as many years, you've
broken the forecast pages on your website. For example, in the
latest version of Firefox available for Windows 7, 115.25.0esr
(64-bit), the following page is badly broken, despite clearing all
the Met Office cookies and local storage:
https://weather.metoffice.gov.uk/forecast/gfkdukcx3#?nearestTo=IV27&date=2025-06-25
As the page is not W3C compliant ...
https://validator.w3.org/nu/?doc=https%3A%2F%2Fweather.metoffice.gov.uk%2Fforecast%2Fgfkdukcx3
... (48 messages, 46 errors) unsurprisingly it looks an absolute mess:
https://www.macfh.co.uk/Temp/MetOffice1.jpg
https://www.macfh.co.uk/Temp/MetOffice2.jpg
https://www.macfh.co.uk/Temp/MetOffice3.jpg
Just to add insult to injury, the webpage form to complain about your
website is broken as well ...
https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/forms/website-feedback
... and as it too is non-compliant ...
https://validator.w3.org/nu/?doc=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.metoffice.gov.uk%2Fforms%2Fwebsite-feedback
... (19 messages, 2 errors) its lack of functionality is also no
surprise ...
"Confirm you are a real person
We need to make sure you are not a robot, please complete the
security check"
... but there is no such security check displayed.
Please make your website fully W3C compliant asap.
[Anonymised].
Good morning,
I hope this email finds you well. I am emailing you to update the
recent changes you have witnessed on our public weather website.
I would like to confirm that the changes seen were not actioned by The
Met Office, but instead a reaction to recent changes on browsers and
the support offered to them. This issue has yet to be evidenced in
browsers supported by The Met Office Public weather Website.
To see the Public website in the previously recognised format, you
would need to upgrade the browser version you are using or the
Operating System of your device. This issue is affecting users on
unsupported mobile devices (phones/tablets) as well as those on PCs
and Laptops with unsupported software on them.
As per our Met Office Website Policy page - which details the level of
support we offer and to which browsers – we currently only support the
latest two versions of Chrome and Safari; the latest version of Edge
and Samsung Internet; finally the latest version of Firefox only being
partially supported. This policy has been developed to comply with the
World Wise Web Consortium (W3C) AA Accessibility Standards. It also
details the Decision Tree of which versions would continue to be
supported or no longer supported
We appreciate this may be frustrating, but without updating or
replacing this unsupported software/hardware you will be unable to
view the public weather website in the correct format. If, after
updating your browser or OS to the most up to date and supported
version you are still experiencing issues, please detail this and
evidence the version you are currently on. We will then escalate this
with our support teams to investigate further.
For information on the most up to date browsers, please check
https://browser-update.org/browsers.html or
https://www.whatismybrowser.com/guides/the-latest-version/ and for
more information on updating your browser, please see:
https://browser-update.org/update-browser.html#3
We would like to thank you for your patience and understanding in this
matter and we appreciate the information you have provided at this time.
Kind regards,
[Anonymised]
Weather Desk
[Contact details of Met Office, Exeter snipped]
Dear Sir,
This is an inadequate response. You claim to be following W3C
standards, yet the links I gave in my original email show that your
webpages do not pass their checker, so you are not. You should fix this before telling everyone else to make changes to their systems.
Please make your website W3C compliant asap, then you will be in a
position where you can preach to others about upgrading their browsers.
Regards,
[Anonymised]
On 2025-06-25 14:30, Java Jive wrote:
On 2025-06-25 14:02, Graham J wrote:
Java Jive wrote:
[snip weasel words form MetOffice]
Is it possible that public organisation such as the MetOffice have an
obligation to continue support for much older operating systems?
I do vaguely recall something of this nature, not older OSs
specifically, but general standards including accessibility. I'll see
if I can find anything about it.
This is the nearest thing I've found so far. W3C standards are not specifically mentioned, but could be argued to come under the quote given:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/open-data-charter/g8-open-data-charter-and-technical-annex
"8) We therefore agree to follow a set of principles that will be the foundation for access to, and the release and re-use of, data made
available by G8 governments. They are:
Open Data by Default
Quality and Quantity
Useable by All
Releasing Data for Improved Governance
Releasing Data for Innovation"
Note two things:
1) Met Office data is government data, and therefore is covered by the above Charter.
2) "Useable by All" implies it should meet relevant standards of accessibility, which in this case means meeting W3C standards.
However, moving on to using the search tool actually embedded on that
page yields the following ...
https://www.gov.uk/service-manual/technology/designing-for-different-browsers-and-devices
Very first paragraph reads:
"Your service must be universally accessible. This means building it to
work on every browser or device that your users access it on."
I shall enjoy bringing the attention of the Met Office to this paragraph!
Odd. It's working perfectly for me on Firefox 138.0.1 on a Mac running Monterey 12.7.6. I used the link https://weather.metoffice.gov.uk/ forecast/gcnhtnumz#?date=2025-06-25 for the Bristol 5 day forecast.
On 25/06/2025 15:08, Java Jive wrote:
On 2025-06-25 14:30, Java Jive wrote:Odd. It's working perfectly for me on Firefox 138.0.1 on a Mac running Monterey 12.7.6. I used the link https://weather.metoffice.gov.uk/forecast/gcnhtnumz#?date=2025-06-25 for the Bristol 5 day forecast.
On 2025-06-25 14:02, Graham J wrote:
Java Jive wrote:
[snip weasel words form MetOffice]
Is it possible that public organisation such as the MetOffice have an obligation to continue support for much older operating systems?
I do vaguely recall something of this nature, not older OSs specifically, but general standards including accessibility. I'll see if I can find anything about it.
This is the nearest thing I've found so far. W3C standards are not specifically mentioned, but could be argued to come under the quote given:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/open-data-charter/g8-open-data-charter-and-technical-annex
"8) We therefore agree to follow a set of principles that will be the foundation for access to, and the release and re-use of, data made available by G8 governments. They are:
Open Data by Default
Quality and Quantity
Useable by All
Releasing Data for Improved Governance
Releasing Data for Innovation"
Note two things:
1) Met Office data is government data, and therefore is covered by the above Charter.
2) "Useable by All" implies it should meet relevant standards of accessibility, which in this case means meeting W3C standards.
However, moving on to using the search tool actually embedded on that page yields the following ...
https://www.gov.uk/service-manual/technology/designing-for-different-browsers-and-devices
Very first paragraph reads:
"Your service must be universally accessible. This means building it to work on every browser or device that your users access it on."
I shall enjoy bringing the attention of the Met Office to this paragraph!
On 2025-06-25 12:59, Java Jive wrote:
On 2025-06-25 12:57, Java Jive wrote:
On 2025-06-25 01:13, Java Jive wrote:
Email to e n q u i r i e s @ m e t o f f i c e . g o v . u k ...
Dear Sir/Madam,
Yet again, for at least the third time in as many years, you've
broken the forecast pages on your website. For example, in the
latest version of Firefox available for Windows 7, 115.25.0esr
(64-bit), the following page is badly broken, despite clearing all
the Met Office cookies and local storage:
https://weather.metoffice.gov.uk/forecast/gfkdukcx3#?nearestTo=IV27&date=2025-06-25
As the page is not W3C compliant ...
https://validator.w3.org/nu/?doc=https%3A%2F%2Fweather.metoffice.gov.uk%2Fforecast%2Fgfkdukcx3
... (48 messages, 46 errors) unsurprisingly it looks an absolute mess: >>>>
https://www.macfh.co.uk/Temp/MetOffice1.jpg
https://www.macfh.co.uk/Temp/MetOffice2.jpg
https://www.macfh.co.uk/Temp/MetOffice3.jpg
Just to add insult to injury, the webpage form to complain about
your website is broken as well ...
https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/forms/website-feedback
... and as it too is non-compliant ...
https://validator.w3.org/nu/?doc=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.metoffice.gov.uk%2Fforms%2Fwebsite-feedback
... (19 messages, 2 errors) its lack of functionality is also no
surprise ...
"Confirm you are a real person
We need to make sure you are not a robot, please complete the
security check"
... but there is no such security check displayed.
Please make your website fully W3C compliant asap.
[Anonymised].
Good morning,
I hope this email finds you well. I am emailing you to update the
recent changes you have witnessed on our public weather website.
I would like to confirm that the changes seen were not actioned by
The Met Office, but instead a reaction to recent changes on browsers
and the support offered to them. This issue has yet to be evidenced
in browsers supported by The Met Office Public weather Website.
To see the Public website in the previously recognised format, you
would need to upgrade the browser version you are using or the
Operating System of your device. This issue is affecting users on
unsupported mobile devices (phones/tablets) as well as those on PCs
and Laptops with unsupported software on them.
As per our Met Office Website Policy page - which details the level
of support we offer and to which browsers – we currently only support
the latest two versions of Chrome and Safari; the latest version of
Edge and Samsung Internet; finally the latest version of Firefox only
being partially supported. This policy has been developed to comply
with the World Wise Web Consortium (W3C) AA Accessibility Standards.
It also details the Decision Tree of which versions would continue to
be supported or no longer supported
We appreciate this may be frustrating, but without updating or
replacing this unsupported software/hardware you will be unable to
view the public weather website in the correct format. If, after
updating your browser or OS to the most up to date and supported
version you are still experiencing issues, please detail this and
evidence the version you are currently on. We will then escalate this
with our support teams to investigate further.
For information on the most up to date browsers, please check
https://browser-update.org/browsers.html or
https://www.whatismybrowser.com/guides/the-latest-version/ and for
more information on updating your browser, please see:
https://browser-update.org/update-browser.html#3
We would like to thank you for your patience and understanding in
this matter and we appreciate the information you have provided at
this time.
Kind regards,
[Anonymised]
Weather Desk
[Contact details of Met Office, Exeter snipped]
Dear Sir,
This is an inadequate response. You claim to be following W3C
standards, yet the links I gave in my original email show that your
webpages do not pass their checker, so you are not. You should fix
this before telling everyone else to make changes to their systems.
Please make your website W3C compliant asap, then you will be in a
position where you can preach to others about upgrading their browsers.
Regards,
[Anonymised]
Dear Sir,
Further to my mail below [here 'above'], as the Met Office is a
government department, I bring your attention to the following:
https://www.gov.uk/service-manual/technology/designing-for-different-browsers-and-devices
Very first paragraph reads:
"Your service must be universally accessible. This means building it to
work on every browser or device that your users access it on."
Accessibility applies to ALL EQUALLY, not just an unfortunate section of
the population who have physical disabilities. By failing to make your
web pages meet W3C standards, you are disenfranchising needlessly a
section of this country's population. Please bring your website into W3C compliance asap.
Regards
[Anonymised]
On 2025-06-25 15:19, Java Jive wrote:
On 2025-06-25 12:59, Java Jive wrote:
On 2025-06-25 12:57, Java Jive wrote:
On 2025-06-25 01:13, Java Jive wrote:
Email to e n q u i r i e s @ m e t o f f i c e . g o v . u k ...
Dear Sir/Madam,
Yet again, for at least the third time in as many years, you've
broken the forecast pages on your website. For example, in the
latest version of Firefox available for Windows 7, 115.25.0esr
(64-bit), the following page is badly broken, despite clearing all
the Met Office cookies and local storage:
https://weather.metoffice.gov.uk/forecast/gfkdukcx3#?nearestTo=IV27&date=2025-06-25
As the page is not W3C compliant ...
https://validator.w3.org/nu/?doc=https%3A%2F%2Fweather.metoffice.gov.uk%2Fforecast%2Fgfkdukcx3
... (48 messages, 46 errors) unsurprisingly it looks an absolute mess: >>>>>
https://www.macfh.co.uk/Temp/MetOffice1.jpg
https://www.macfh.co.uk/Temp/MetOffice2.jpg
https://www.macfh.co.uk/Temp/MetOffice3.jpg
Just to add insult to injury, the webpage form to complain about
your website is broken as well ...
https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/forms/website-feedback
... and as it too is non-compliant ...
https://validator.w3.org/nu/?doc=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.metoffice.gov.uk%2Fforms%2Fwebsite-feedback
... (19 messages, 2 errors) its lack of functionality is also no
surprise ...
"Confirm you are a real person
We need to make sure you are not a robot, please complete the
security check"
... but there is no such security check displayed.
Please make your website fully W3C compliant asap.
[Anonymised].
Good morning,
I hope this email finds you well. I am emailing you to update the
recent changes you have witnessed on our public weather website.
I would like to confirm that the changes seen were not actioned by
The Met Office, but instead a reaction to recent changes on browsers
and the support offered to them. This issue has yet to be evidenced
in browsers supported by The Met Office Public weather Website.
To see the Public website in the previously recognised format, you
would need to upgrade the browser version you are using or the
Operating System of your device. This issue is affecting users on
unsupported mobile devices (phones/tablets) as well as those on PCs
and Laptops with unsupported software on them.
As per our Met Office Website Policy page - which details the level
of support we offer and to which browsers – we currently only
support the latest two versions of Chrome and Safari; the latest
version of Edge and Samsung Internet; finally the latest version of
Firefox only being partially supported. This policy has been
developed to comply with the World Wise Web Consortium (W3C) AA
Accessibility Standards. It also details the Decision Tree of which
versions would continue to be supported or no longer supported
We appreciate this may be frustrating, but without updating or
replacing this unsupported software/hardware you will be unable to
view the public weather website in the correct format. If, after
updating your browser or OS to the most up to date and supported
version you are still experiencing issues, please detail this and
evidence the version you are currently on. We will then escalate
this with our support teams to investigate further.
For information on the most up to date browsers, please check
https://browser-update.org/browsers.html or
https://www.whatismybrowser.com/guides/the-latest-version/ and for
more information on updating your browser, please see:
https://browser-update.org/update-browser.html#3
We would like to thank you for your patience and understanding in
this matter and we appreciate the information you have provided at
this time.
Kind regards,
[Anonymised]
Weather Desk
[Contact details of Met Office, Exeter snipped]
Dear Sir,
This is an inadequate response. You claim to be following W3C
standards, yet the links I gave in my original email show that your
webpages do not pass their checker, so you are not. You should fix
this before telling everyone else to make changes to their systems.
Please make your website W3C compliant asap, then you will be in a
position where you can preach to others about upgrading their browsers.
Regards,
[Anonymised]
Dear Sir,
Further to my mail below [here 'above'], as the Met Office is a
government department, I bring your attention to the following:
https://www.gov.uk/service-manual/technology/designing-for-different-browsers-and-devices
Very first paragraph reads:
"Your service must be universally accessible. This means building it
to work on every browser or device that your users access it on."
Accessibility applies to ALL EQUALLY, not just an unfortunate section
of the population who have physical disabilities. By failing to make
your web pages meet W3C standards, you are disenfranchising needlessly
a section of this country's population. Please bring your website into
W3C compliance asap.
Regards
[Anonymised]
Good afternoon,
Thank you for your reply and I understand you are un-happy with the
response. Out technical teams have been involved in reviewing this and
have confirmed that whilst Firefox support version 115 for older OS
systems to use an outdated browser, the Met Office only supports the formatting and function of its website via the latest Firefox version
(140). I have received further word from our support teams specifically
for Firefox users however, which we were due to share shortly, but due
to this issue generating a large amount of correspondence, there has
been delays in responding to all users.
Here is a fix you may attempt in Firefox:
Type in about:config to browser search and go to that site
search for CSS-Nesting
It'll possibly give you a text field stating boolean/number/string,
ensure is boolean then click the 'plus' icon on far right
Ensure the value is set to true by using arrow keys also far right where
the previous + icon was
Beyond this, we are unable to support any further issues experienced,
unless the user is on the most up to date Version and OS that can
facilitate the latest browser.
I hope this is helpful and thank you again for your time.
Kind regards,
[Anonymised]
Weather Desk
[Contact details of Met Office, Exeter snipped]
[For me, the fix given above improves things only slightly, fundamental problems remain.]
On 2025-06-25 15:19, Java Jive wrote:
On 2025-06-25 12:59, Java Jive wrote:
On 2025-06-25 12:57, Java Jive wrote:
On 2025-06-25 01:13, Java Jive wrote:
Email to e n q u i r i e s @ m e t o f f i c e . g o v . u k ...
Dear Sir/Madam,
Yet again, for at least the third time in as many years, you've
broken the forecast pages on your website. For example, in the
latest version of Firefox available for Windows 7, 115.25.0esr
(64-bit), the following page is badly broken, despite clearing all
the Met Office cookies and local storage:
https://weather.metoffice.gov.uk/forecast/gfkdukcx3#?nearestTo=IV27&date=2025-06-25
As the page is not W3C compliant ...
https://validator.w3.org/nu/?doc=https%3A%2F%2Fweather.metoffice.gov.uk%2Fforecast%2Fgfkdukcx3
... (48 messages, 46 errors) unsurprisingly it looks an absolute mess: >>>>>
https://www.macfh.co.uk/Temp/MetOffice1.jpg
https://www.macfh.co.uk/Temp/MetOffice2.jpg
https://www.macfh.co.uk/Temp/MetOffice3.jpg
Just to add insult to injury, the webpage form to complain about
your website is broken as well ...
https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/forms/website-feedback
... and as it too is non-compliant ...
https://validator.w3.org/nu/?doc=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.metoffice.gov.uk%2Fforms%2Fwebsite-feedback
... (19 messages, 2 errors) its lack of functionality is also no
surprise ...
"Confirm you are a real person
We need to make sure you are not a robot, please complete the
security check"
... but there is no such security check displayed.
Please make your website fully W3C compliant asap.
[Anonymised].
Good morning,
I hope this email finds you well. I am emailing you to update the
recent changes you have witnessed on our public weather website.
I would like to confirm that the changes seen were not actioned by
The Met Office, but instead a reaction to recent changes on browsers
and the support offered to them. This issue has yet to be evidenced
in browsers supported by The Met Office Public weather Website.
To see the Public website in the previously recognised format, you
would need to upgrade the browser version you are using or the
Operating System of your device. This issue is affecting users on
unsupported mobile devices (phones/tablets) as well as those on PCs
and Laptops with unsupported software on them.
As per our Met Office Website Policy page - which details the level
of support we offer and to which browsers – we currently only
support the latest two versions of Chrome and Safari; the latest
version of Edge and Samsung Internet; finally the latest version of
Firefox only being partially supported. This policy has been
developed to comply with the World Wise Web Consortium (W3C) AA
Accessibility Standards. It also details the Decision Tree of which
versions would continue to be supported or no longer supported
We appreciate this may be frustrating, but without updating or
replacing this unsupported software/hardware you will be unable to
view the public weather website in the correct format. If, after
updating your browser or OS to the most up to date and supported
version you are still experiencing issues, please detail this and
evidence the version you are currently on. We will then escalate
this with our support teams to investigate further.
For information on the most up to date browsers, please check
https://browser-update.org/browsers.html or
https://www.whatismybrowser.com/guides/the-latest-version/ and for
more information on updating your browser, please see:
https://browser-update.org/update-browser.html#3
We would like to thank you for your patience and understanding in
this matter and we appreciate the information you have provided at
this time.
Kind regards,
[Anonymised]
Weather Desk
[Contact details of Met Office, Exeter snipped]
Dear Sir,
This is an inadequate response. You claim to be following W3C
standards, yet the links I gave in my original email show that your
webpages do not pass their checker, so you are not. You should fix
this before telling everyone else to make changes to their systems.
Please make your website W3C compliant asap, then you will be in a
position where you can preach to others about upgrading their browsers.
Regards,
[Anonymised]
Dear Sir,
Further to my mail below [here 'above'], as the Met Office is a
government department, I bring your attention to the following:
https://www.gov.uk/service-manual/technology/designing-for-different-browsers-and-devices
Very first paragraph reads:
"Your service must be universally accessible. This means building it
to work on every browser or device that your users access it on."
Accessibility applies to ALL EQUALLY, not just an unfortunate section
of the population who have physical disabilities. By failing to make
your web pages meet W3C standards, you are disenfranchising needlessly
a section of this country's population. Please bring your website into
W3C compliance asap.
Regards
[Anonymised]
Good afternoon,
Thank you for your reply and I understand you are un-happy with the
response. Out technical teams have been involved in reviewing this and
have confirmed that whilst Firefox support version 115 for older OS
systems to use an outdated browser, the Met Office only supports the formatting and function of its website via the latest Firefox version
(140). I have received further word from our support teams specifically
for Firefox users however, which we were due to share shortly, but due
to this issue generating a large amount of correspondence, there has
been delays in responding to all users.
Here is a fix you may attempt in Firefox:
Type in about:config to browser search and go to that site
search for CSS-Nesting
It'll possibly give you a text field stating boolean/number/string,
ensure is boolean then click the 'plus' icon on far right
Ensure the value is set to true by using arrow keys also far right where
the previous + icon was
Beyond this, we are unable to support any further issues experienced,
unless the user is on the most up to date Version and OS that can
facilitate the latest browser.
I hope this is helpful and thank you again for your time.
Kind regards,
[Anonymised]
Weather Desk
[Contact details of Met Office, Exeter snipped]
[For me, the fix given above improves things only slightly, fundamental problems remain.]
Dear [anonymised] MP,
... the very first paragraph of which reads ...[]
"Your service must be universally accessible. This means building it to
work on every browser or device that your users access it on."
... which, in effect, means making their site W3C compliant. However
Should not all government departments be producing web sites that meet internationally agreed W3C standards for web design, so that all[]
compliant browsers can display them properly? Please bring this matter
of non W3C compliance of a government department to the attention of the relevant minister(s).
Here is a fix you may attempt in Firefox:
Type in about:config to browser search and go to that site
search for CSS-Nesting
It'll possibly give you a text field stating boolean/number/string,
ensure is boolean then click the 'plus' icon on far right
Ensure the value is set to true by using arrow keys also far right where
the previous + icon was
On 2025/6/25 14:30:0, Java Jive wrote:
[]
Yes, and anyway their whole argument is totally illogical ...
[]
Yes, and for reasons _other_ than the Accessibility ones - though those
are an excellent one too.
If some feature only present in a recent browser is used, then IMO it
ought only to be used if that actually benefits the user. If the same
effect can be achieved on the old browser, then compiling (or whatever
the current word is) with the compiler (whatever) flags set to new-only should not be done.
(Part of the blame must be laid at the doors of the compiler [or
whatever] creators, _if_ their _default_ is to set flags to "newest
only". I forgive - though only slightly! - the website designers if they
_in good faith_ used the latest "compiler" because they thought that was
the right thing to do.)
Even if there _is_ some whizzy new feature only available by compiling
for the latest browser, there should be assessment of whether it is worthwhile antagonising many (the majority of?) users for.
(And that's _before_ the text you've found about "should be accessible
with" a wide variety of browsers.)
Basically, creating for universal compatibility shouldn't be seen as a _drag_, _onerous_: it should be the _default_. It takes very little
effort, initially - and _should_ become the norm (at least for public websites), such that using _new_ whizzes becomes the one that involves
Extra Work.--
On 2025/6/26 14:3:51, Java Jive wrote:
Dear [anonymised] MP,
An excellent idea! (Although I suspect the MP - or, more likely, the functionary who reads the letter - will glaze over fairly early in their reading of your text.)[]
... the very first paragraph of which reads ...
"Your service must be universally accessible. This means building it
to work on every browser or device that your users access it on."
... which, in effect, means making their site W3C compliant. However
[]
Should not all government departments be producing web sites that meet
internationally agreed W3C standards for web design, so that all
compliant browsers can display them properly? Please bring this
matter of non W3C compliance of a government department to the
attention of the relevant minister(s).
[]
I'll be very interested to see what response you get!
The fundamental question (or one of them) is: what do they expect to _achieve_ by using latest-browser-only-compatible code?
I suspect they wouldn't be able to answer that. Or even understand the question.
Trying to find a parallel, using the popular car-type analogy: would we
be happy if new roads were built, that only this year's cars could run
on? [And no, I'm not talking EVs! That's a whole different debate.]
Sorry, not just _new_ roads, but in this case, replacements/"up"grades
to _existing_ roads?
(You've got to find some parallel that can be understood by someone who,
for example, has never heard of the W3C and their standards, or knows _anything_ about the techincalities of the subject.)
Again a valid argument, but again not something you can point to as a
reason not to do whatever it is that they are doing now that they
weren't doing before. What is needed is something testable that one can
use to show how and why they are failing, and the W3C standards are the
best thing that we've got for that.
Java Jive wrote:
[snip]
Here is a fix you may attempt in Firefox:
Type in about:config to browser search and go to that site
search for CSS-Nesting
It'll possibly give you a text field stating boolean/number/string,
ensure is boolean then click the 'plus' icon on far right
Ensure the value is set to true by using arrow keys also far right
where the previous + icon was
This value already set to "true" in my Firefox. So this fix is useless!
Graham J wrote:
Java Jive wrote:
[snip]
Here is a fix you may attempt in Firefox:
Type in about:config to browser search and go to that site
search for CSS-Nesting
It'll possibly give you a text field stating boolean/number/string,
ensure is boolean then click the 'plus' icon on far right
Ensure the value is set to true by using arrow keys also far right
where the previous + icon was
This value already set to "true" in my Firefox. So this fix is useless!
Problem appears to have been fixed: W7 Firefox and Chrome, iPad with
Safari.
Graham J wrote:
Java Jive wrote:
[snip]
Here is a fix you may attempt in Firefox:
Type in about:config to browser search and go to that site
search for CSS-Nesting
It'll possibly give you a text field stating boolean/number/string,
ensure is boolean then click the 'plus' icon on far right
Ensure the value is set to true by using arrow keys also far right
where the previous + icon was
This value already set to "true" in my Firefox. So this fix is useless!
Problem appears to have been fixed: W7 Firefox and Chrome, iPad with
Safari.
| Sysop: | Keyop |
|---|---|
| Location: | Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, UK |
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| Nodes: | 16 (0 / 16) |
| Uptime: | 242:25:55 |
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| Calls today: | 4 |
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| Messages: | 6,358,541 |
