Here's what's in store with the weather...Met Office strikes deal with ITV after losing BBC contract

The Met Office and ITV have extended their existing deal after the weather forecaster was recently let go by the BBC. Although ITV has been using the Met Office for its weather services for 25 years, it said that the deal officially makes them the "broadcast home of Met Office weather".

The new weather bulletins were launched on ITV on 3 October, complete with new design and graphics.

"We are pleased to be extending our established working relationship with the Met Office, who continue to provide the highest equality and most accurate weather forecasts for our audiences," said Michael Jermey, ITV's director of news and current affairs.

"The new look weather service we have developed which is on air from today means even more detailed forecasts for our audiences across the UK."

Ahead of launching the new weather bulletins, ITV had commissioned research to understand better how viewers engage with the weather. This is believed to have helped shape the new design of their weather presentation.

A spokesperson for the Met Office said that the research had showed that viewers wanted "a greater visual understanding" of how weather would impact their areas, as well as how the weather would change over time.

The new ITV graphics, therefore, have more lifelike high resolution maps and animated weather effects. A new detailed local breakdown is also available across the UK to tell views what to expect hour-by-hour.

"The Met Office is proud of its long association with ITV," said Rob Varley, chief executive of the Met Office. "The new service we're launching today is the latest exciting development in our work together and will ensure ITV's UK audiences continue to receive our trusted forecasts and critical warnings so they are prepared for whatever the weather may bring."

In August, the BBC announced that MeteoGroup would be replacing the Met Office as their official weather forecaster after 94 years. MeteoGroup also supplies weather for Channel 4 and Sky.