bom new website
A major upgrade to one of Australia’s most popular websites has left thousands across the nation infuriated. The Bureau of Meteorology’s new weather website went live on Wednesday, featuring “simpler language for users, improved navigation, and more customization options.”
In a statement about the site upgrade, the Bureau’s CEO, Dr. Peter Stone, explained the change would make it easier for the community to access weather information. “We designed the website in consultation with the community to make sure it delivers the benefits people want and need,” he said.
Despite these intentions, the site upgrades have sparked ire across the country as Australians struggle to check radar maps and forecasts. The Bureau’s Facebook was quickly flooded with comments from disgruntled users who branded the updated site “disappointing” and “difficult to use.”
Public Backlash and Social Media Reactions
One upset Sydney-sider commented, “Never thought I’d live to see the return of days when standing on my front porch, looking up at the sky would tell me more than the Australian Bureau of Meteorology website.” Another commenter from Melbourne summed up their thoughts in two words: “Epic fail.”
The South Australian Weather page on Facebook, which has 72,000 followers, criticized the Bureau for the “very difficult” navigational features on the new website. “You would think a once-admired organization would do some thorough research and testing before opening a new website — it seems little or no public involvement was included,” the page wrote.
West Australians were among those slamming the updated site, with many users taking to social media to share their thoughts. “It’s embarrassing how much functionality has been lost,” one Perth user shared on Reddit. “The new site is an absolute shocker,” an X user from Perth wrote.
Generational Divide and Usability Concerns
Some users suggest the upgrade may have prioritized younger generations who lack experience in interpreting weather system maps, causing frustration among older generations who rely more on radars. Even Melbourne newsreader David Armstrong from 3AW expressed his dissatisfaction, ranting on-air about how “filthy” he is at the “totally and absolutely unusable” site.
Armstrong voiced a common sentiment among users: “I’m a simple man. I don’t like things to be difficult. I just want to know ‘What’s the temperature in Geelong?’”
Bureau’s Response and Future Expectations
In a statement to PerthNow, the Bureau of Meteorology said community feedback during the update’s testing phase was “overwhelmingly positive.” A spokesperson for the Bureau stated, “The Bureau of Meteorology serves every Australian every day and we take that commitment seriously. Millions of Australians use our website daily and the new website represents a change for all of them.”
The spokesperson also noted, “We conducted user research and testing to understand how people use the website and identified improvements based on this research and testing — during that time, the community feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.”
“As we saw with the relaunch of the BOM Weather app in 2020, a dip in customer satisfaction is expected as customers familiarize themselves with the new website. We expect satisfaction to increase as customers become accustomed to the new website and discover its benefits.”
Looking Forward
The announcement comes as the Bureau aims to modernize its digital services, reflecting a broader trend among governmental agencies to enhance online user experiences. However, the backlash highlights the challenges of balancing innovation with user familiarity.
As Australians continue to voice their concerns, the Bureau may need to consider further adjustments and engage more deeply with its user base to ensure the website meets the needs of all demographics. The move represents a critical moment for the Bureau to reassess its approach and potentially refine its strategy to regain public trust and satisfaction.
