Feathers on synoptic charts

[sahona]

Sorry if this has been visited before and I've missed it, but at the risk of admitting to being an old anal exhale, I'm confused by the feathers on the wind symbols nowadays.
When I were a lad, the flights were worth 2 Beaufort forces each, with half a flight being introduced for the odd numbered forces.
The charts still look the same, but now instead of Beaufort we get 10Kn or MpH or maybe KpS per full flight but no obvious warning or indication of the units used.
So two full flights now means 20units(?) as opposed to 11-15Kn.
Any MET competents out there care to offer words to calm me down and convince me it is more sensible to do it this way?

[Rowana]

Probably due to some feckin' EU directive!

Of course the UK have to follow these things to the letter instead of just ignoring it like the frogs.

Roll on the EU referendum and UKIP ! ! !

[Telo]

The barbs are in steps of 10kts per full barb,

One arrow + half a barb = 5kts (3-7)
One arrow + a full barb = 10kts (8-12) etc etc.

More here: http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/dailywxmap/plottedwx.html and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weather_map:




Rowana, should we be worried about you?



The Met Office uses a different system.

[sahona]

Aw C'mon.

They've gone and done it to the clouds as well. I've just followed Don's link and note that cloud symbols indicate 1/10ths of cover nowadays. When did Octas disappear and where did they go to?

I feel the need to go back to all the nice units that were tabulated on the back of my school jotters. Gimme rods, poles and perches. Beaufort, Octas, Avoirdupois, gallons etc. then I can pull the blanket over my head and live in a pleasant world of my own.
PS can anyone lend me a tanner?