Barbara Edwards

Who is Barbara Edwards?

Barbara Edwards became the BBC's first woman television weather presenter in January 1974.

She joined the Met Office in 1957 where she edited and published meteorological publications, until 1962. She worked as a weather forecaster from 1963 to 1970, when she moved to the London Weather Centre working on forecasting for commerce and industry.

Edwards most famously appeared from January 1974 until June 1978 on BBC Television, joining around the same time as the far longer-serving Michael Fish. During this period she is said to have disliked the criticism of her dress sense, which the male members of the team did not have to contend with, but was no doubt accentuated by being the first woman in the role. In this, her career route to television presentation through being a professional meteorologist clearly contrasts with subsequent stereotypes of a 'weather girl'.

She also presented weather reports on BBC Radio.

She is the aunt of expatriate Claire Martin who presents weather forecasts nationally in Canada on CBC Television.