Summary: Weather forecasting may be damaging staycation bookings and hitting small businesses across coastal towns, over 40% of forecasted ‘rain days’ in Woolacombe were dry – research shows
A new investigation from Wooalcombe Bay Holiday Parks has revealed that over 40% of days flagged with a rain warning by leading forecasts saw no rain at all, potentially impacting bookings and revenue for the area. Between February and March 2025, the team tracked 53 days of national forecasts and cross-referenced them with on-the-ground weather data from Weathercloud, On 16 days a 10% or greater chance of rain was predicted – yet not a single drop fell.
Why does this matter? Because perceptions drives behaviour, pessimistic forecasts may put off last minute bookers. In a poll of 202 beachgoers:
- 41% said they would cancel their trip if there was even a 10-40% chance of rain.
- That equates to nearly half of potential visitors lost over vague, pessimistic or misleading forecasts
Woolacombe Bay Holiday Parks got in touch with Rick Turner, Director The Big Sheep (A Devon amusement park) to comment: “Daily forecasts are frequently incorrect but the ones I really object to are the week ahead ones when tourists are looking for last minute holiday destinations – these seem to be invariably wrong and misleading. My message to the forecasters is to either get it right or don’t do longer term forecasts which are costing my North Devon theme park £100,000’s and the whole industry millions of pounds each year in lost bookings and business. Talk about the areas which are going to be enjoying dry and sunny weather rather than looking for the rain which you find exciting to be forecasting and often incorrectly!”
Woolacombe Bay Holiday Parks are urging forecasters to rethink how forecasts are communicated – calling for clearer, more contextual updates, such as specifying when rain is likely (eg. “evening showers”) and highlighting dry spells to help families and businesses plan with confidence.
Kevin Darvill, Marketing Director at Woolacombe Bay Holiday Parks, said: “Even a small chance of rain in a forecast can change people’s plans, and if the day turns out dry, families can feel they made unnecessary alterations. The more accurately people can plan around the weather, the more they can make the most of their time here.” “Fortunately, our parks are packed with things to do whatever the weather… so even if the forecast looks a bit grey, there’s always a great day ahead at Woolacombe Bay Holiday Parks.”
