Wimbledon has invested millions in state-of-the-art weather prediction technology, but their secret weapon for predicting rain is a simple yellow rubber duck named John QuackEnroe. The duck sits in a paddling pool on the roof of SW19, equipped with an infrared camera that allows the team to determine the type of rain. While the club’s radar system provides precise information about the timing and location of downpours, QuackEnroe offers a low-tech, yet invaluable, companion.
Paul Abeille, the manager of the weather station, highlights the importance of the bucket and duck: “My radar is expensive, but this is just a few pounds. It allows us to see the size of the raindrops falling into the water and gives us an idea of what is happening on the court.” The radar system is so advanced that it can inform umpires to continue play if it detects rain that will soon stop.
The weather forecasters at Wimbledon share their information with the main office, which then displays it on a panel outside Centre Court. This panel provides instructions to spotters on all outer courts, ranging from preparing court covering teams, stopping play at the umpire’s discretion, immediately covering the courts, deflating the covers, or dressing the courts accordingly.
Despite the accuracy of the station and the expertise of the meteorologists, officials sometimes dispute the predictions. Abby Smith, a senior operational meteorologist, explains that umpires occasionally question the accuracy of the forecast.
Interestingly, the Met Office is responsible for forecasting within a one-mile radius of the Club. Beyond that, Mr. Abeille’s team at Meteo France takes over, providing a hyper-accurate picture of the weather. Mr. Abeille, who uses his technology at events worldwide, finds forecasting at Wimbledon the most enjoyable due to the unpredictable weather. He jokes, “It’s more fun here than Bahrain. I love forecasting here because it constantly changes.”
In conclusion, Wimbledon’s investment in advanced weather prediction technology is complemented by the use of a simple yellow rubber duck. The combination of high-tech radar systems and the low-tech paddling pool with infrared camera ensures accurate weather forecasts for the tournament. Despite occasional skepticism from officials, the Meteo France team’s expertise ensures precise predictions within the Wimbledon grounds.
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