FACT CHECK: BBC Weather Map Showing Fiery Background Is Digitally Altered

Anna Mock | Fact Check Reporter

An image shared on Facebook allegedly shows a weather map from BBC with a fiery background to exaggerate warm temperatures in the U.K. 

Verdict: False

The image has been digitally altered. The original broadcast does not show the fiery background.

Fact Check:

Scientists have revealed that climate change plays a major role in the decline of bumblebee populations worldwide, according to Newsweek. Bumblebee populations have fallen by 90 percent over the past 20 years, but without them crops will fail, the outlet reported.

The Facebook post purports the BBC aired a weather report with a fiery background. The photo allegedly shows a BBC presenter in a blue dress in front of a weather map of the U.K. filled with a fiery background.

“BBC have unveiled their new weather map in readiness for temperatures of 14-16 degrees Celsius forecast for the end of next week,” the post reads. This is about 57-60 degrees Fahrenheit, according to a NASA conversion chart. The image was also posted to X in August 2023.

This image is digitally fabricated, however. It resembles a broadcast posted by BBC Weather on X in May 2023. It shows the same woman in the same outfit, but the map shows plain orange and yellow colors. The fiery appearance seen in the Facebook image is not present.  

Reuters also debunked this claim. (RELATED: Video Claims To Show BBC/Bellingcat Report About Valerii Zalzuhny Receiving $53 Million)

Check Your Fact has reached out to a BBC spokesperson for comment and will update this piece accordingly if one is received. 

Anna Mock

Fact Check Reporter

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