Scotland apologised after a technical issue made some of Judith Ralston’s weather forecasts quieter than intended during the first week of August. Viewers of the UK-wide broadcasts complained that they were hard to hear and, in some cases, virtually incomprehensible.
The said the problem affected some of Ralston’s forecasts, not the full weather output. It added that the issue has now been fully resolved, bringing the audio back to the level intended for the broadcasts.
Judith Ralston on Instagram
Ralston, a Scotland regular from Edinburgh, said on Instagram that she had the “most interesting week at the mothership, presenting the national weather”. She added: “I had the privilege of working with the best teams who are kind and generous and very talented.”
She also said: “We work with them too in Glasgow. It’s one big weather family.” That note matters because it places the broadcasts inside the wider weather team that handles the national output, rather than pointing to a single presenter alone.
Viewer complaints on X
Complaints began appearing on X as viewers reacted to the sound levels. One wrote: “There is a new weather forecaster called Judith Ralston on the news channel. I can't understand a word she mutters! Does she require a better microphone?” Another said: “mumbles [and] is quiet”. A third posted: “Your new weather person speaks really, really quietly and is virtually incomprehensible.”
The ’s statement drew a line between the reaction and the cause. “Unfortunately, a technical issue affected some of Judith Ralston's weather forecasts during the first week of August, causing the audio levels to be lower than intended,” it said. “We apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused and are pleased to confirm that the issue has now been fully resolved.”
Breakfast and April
The episode also comes after a change in the wider weather lineup. Matt Taylor took over from Carol Kirkwood as Breakfast's main weather presenter in April, while Kirkwood retired after 28 years with the broadcaster. Ralston tagged Taylor on Instagram, and he replied: “LOVED having you with us sis!”
For viewers, the practical point is simple: the lower volume problem should no longer affect the forecasts. The has said the fault is fixed, so the remaining issue is not access to the weather itself but whether the broadcaster explains what caused the audio drop in the first place.
