The "strict" definition used here is not strict enough. Presumably it is based on the prose description in the linked Wikipedia page, which omits one crucial fa

The "strict" definition used here is not strict enough. Presumably it is based on the prose description in the linked Wikipedia page, which omits one crucial fact about the area forecasts: each area is included exactly once, and always in the same order (approximately clockwise starting from 'Viking' in the North East). Culturally speaking, it's an important part of the poetry that groups such as "Forth, Tyne, Dogger, German Bite" always appear in the same order, though the rhythm/groupings can be broken up differently depending on the weather patterns. I'm still not happy that they renamed Finistere to FitzRoy, and that was 20 years ago now.