This year, S4C weather presenter Chris Jones celebrates 20 years of presenting the weather on the Channel.
To mark the milestone, keen walker Chris will hike along the famous Inca Trail to the ancient city of Machu Picchu in Peru. The walk, held between 5 and 15 May, is in aid of Velindre Cancer Centre, a charity close to his heart.
“I couldn’t refuse the offer to be part of a walk to Machu Picchu. The ancient city high in the Andes Mountains has fascinated me since my schooldays and the Velindre Cancer Centre has been a great support to our family,” said Chris, who will be joined by his mother-in-law on the hike.
“My mother, father and father-in-law have all had treatment there, and the care was second to none. I felt that raising money for Velindre Cancer Centre was the most appropriate way to celebrate twenty years presenting the weather.”
During his twenty years on screen, Chris has seen a major change in the way the weather is presented, and its importance to viewers.
“The weather is more important to viewers now than it was twenty years ago. People today want detailed information about the weather and the technology has developed a great deal to provide this.
“When I started the job, there were no computers, and I would have to go and meet with the experts on the roof of their offices in central Cardiff to collect information for the day. Now all the information is available on computer, and new technology can provide a clearer picture than ever before, “says Chris.
In addition to the regular on-screen weather bulletins, the S4C weather website – s4c.co.uk/tywydd – also provides the latest weather information to accuracy of 1km. Insert your postcode in the box and you can get a detailed weather report for your area.
It’s inevitable that after 20 years in the job Chris has developed a keen interest in the weather.
“I’m a bit of a weather geek to tell the truth,” he admits. “I’m always keeping an eye on extreme weather conditions across the world, such as hurricanes and heavy snow. One thing I would really love to do is to follow tornadoes in places like Nebraska in the U.S.”
But for the time being, Chris is focused on his trip to Peru, and on his efforts to raise funds for Velindre Cancer Centre. You can sponsor Chris online at www.justgiving.co.uk/chris-jones11
