The all-important weather

[Bert]

Has anybody else noticed and been irritated by the way that TV presenters introduce the weather forecast as "the all-important weather"? I think that the weather is quite important, perhaps very important, but never all-important. The weather forecast is much less important than the weather. If they could guarantee the forecast and if it were more precise, then it might be more important, but it would never be all-important.

[sara3]

indeed.

[jno]

If you were dying of hypothermia, you'd probably think the weather was much more important than the situation in the Northern Ireland assembly or the latest from Big Brother. All-important, in fact. So it's probably a good idea if they tell you you're not freezing to death first, then tell you where Arsenal are on the league table.

[Quizmonster]

Very, very few things about current language-usage annoy me, as anyone familiar with my responses here will possibly recognise, but yes, this phrase does! I imagined it was regularly used only on BBC South and didn't realise anyone else had noticed, but it seems it may be more widespread.
It's absurd. I agree with Billy Connolly, who said, "There's no such thing as bad weather...only the wrong clothes!"

[Bert]

Yes, Quizmonster, it is prevalent on BBC Look East and Anglia too. I think I heard a main news reader say it recently - I know he said it, I'm just not sure which channel and whether it was main or local news. I am pleased you make an exception for this one. I agree with jno - the WEATHER is important, it's weather forecasts that aren't. I suppose what I really object to is clichés, and, with news presenters "And now, the all-important weather (forecast)" has become a cliché. Another one I can't stand is the "sneak preview" - there's no other sort. Also, since the cameras have been invited, there's nothing sneaky about it.