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"So long, farewell, auf wiedersehen, goodbye...."

After having an interest in astronomy and the weather for many years Chris began working with the Met Office in October 1968, starting at Heathrow Airport as an observer.

Chris Stumbles last weather forecast

After a six week training course he then moved to RAF Uxbridge in Middlesex for six months and then to RAF St Mawgan. He remained at St Mawgan until Feb 1986 when he took promotion to the forecasting grade.

After a five month training course Chris then moved to Plymouth Weather Centre for a few months before being posted to RAF Upavon in Wiltshire. From there he moved to Cardiff Weather Centre where he spent 5 years.

After further training courses of several months duration another posting followed, this time to Plymouth Weather Centre, much closer to home for the Cornish boy.ÌýÌý

Plymouth Weather Centre closed in April 1995 and Chris went to Bristol Weather Centre where he was a member of a 12-strong forecasting team until its closure in April 2001, after which he joined ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Radio Cornwall.

Chris' main role with the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ is to provide a forecast service for both ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Radio Cornwall and ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Radio Devon.

Leaving cakes baked by Laurence's Wife

His day starts 5am and he has about an hour to gather and put together information from various sources including the Met Office and the internet. This is then used to produce a forecast for the next 36 hours for both counties and a written forecast is passed onto the presenters.Ìý

Chris' first 'live' broadcast is with ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Radio Cornwall at 6.15am and then they come thick and fast with a broadcast every 15 minutes until 9am.Ìý Around mid-morning he produces an updated forecast for both radio stations.Ìý His next live broadcast for ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Radio Cornwall is at 10.45am – his final broadcast of the day is at 12.15pm.

"Working with the weather over the last 40 years has been interesting to say the least and the last 7 or so years here at ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Radio Cornwall has been a fabulous experience. I have been blessed with great group of people to work for, and to work with.Ìý It will leave me with many happy memories." Chris Stumbles

Cornwall not only has a large agricultural and fishing community but also a huge tourism industry, all of which rely, to some extent, on the weather. So a local forecast, which is dedicated to a county rather than a general one for the whole country is very important.

However, Cornwall is not only bounded by sea but also has a wide range of topography and this makes forecasting take on a rather more ‘interesting complexion’ with many micro climates adding to his difficulties...

We wish Chris all the best and thank him for being such a valued member of ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Cornwall...