Lies, weather forecasts and statistics

[sawyl]

Today's Graun contains a response to Simon Jenkins' recent ramble about weather forecasting which summarises the original article's position thusly:

Jenkins' view that predictions should be left to "astrologers, ball-gazers and seaweed" was, at least in the medieval period, very respectable. It was not until the 17th century that gamblers and life-insurers realised they could make more money if they could put a number on the probability of winning or dying.

From what I know of him, I suspect that Jenkins unlikely to view the accusation of medievalism as an insult...