You will have guessed… this was Island Echo’s April Fools Day article for 2025!
Islanders could soon be greeted by new signs as they enter different parts of the Isle of Wight, with proposals unveiled to divide the Island into a series of official ‘weather zones’.
The move comes after years of debate over how it can be blazing sunshine in Ryde while chucking it down in Cowes.
Under the new scheme, each town and village would be given its own weather identity — including names like ‘Ventnor Tropics’, ‘Freshwater Fog’ and ‘Sandown Sun Strip’.
New signs would be placed at key entry points to warn motorists and visitors about the likely conditions ahead, with the aim of helping people “plan their outfits and beach days more sensibly”.
It’s understood that local drivers may also be issued with colour-coded window cards to show which zone they’re used to.
A spokesperson has today (1st April) said:
“We’re used to people saying ‘you should’ve seen the rain in Niton’ while someone in Shanklin is sunbathing. This just makes it all a bit more official.”
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The plans are still in the early stages, but a trial could be rolled out before the Summer.
A public consultation is expected to open next week – although sources say the whole thing may depend on the forecast.
When I was pinched and punched this morning, I knew something was a foot or was that a fool.
If you’ve had to ask if it was a fool, you’ve been fooled!!
I thought you had been to The Crown in Ryde
Lol
Let’s hope IW Council’s contractor can at least spell “strip”.
Maybe by the time this has been vetted IE’s very own subs will have got out of bed.
The whole island is an April Fool along with its not fit for purpose Council.
That is true.
The sign says ‘Srip’. I hope if it’s not an April fool then they run spell check through it before we waste money on it
Oh dear definitely an April fool joke
I woke up and Labour are still in power
at first I thought it was an April fools joke
if only it was, unfortunately it’s for real.
I knew it was April fools day when I thought
I saw an Island roads crew repair a pothole.
I have booked into Specsavers
Lole