Will it rain today? A useful rainfall rain radar map for the UK. You can easily pan and zoom on the map to view the exact local rainfall.
November 4, 2024Rupert Ford Award: project report
kathryn.wolak
04 November 2024
The Royal Meteorological Society administers the Rupert Ford Fund which is used to sponsor travel by outstanding young scientists from any part of the world to enable them to undertake research work or study in meteorology or associated physical oceanography (air-sea interaction) at a centre of excellence outside their own countries.
Please note that the Rupert Ford Travel Award is now closed for applications in 2024. The award will return in March 2025.
With the generous support of the Royal Meteorological Society’s Rupert Ford fund I visited the Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI) in Potsdam in early 2024 to collaborate with colleagues on a project examining the impacts and drivers of atmospheric rivers and warm air intrusions (WAIs) on the polar environment.
The objectives of the project were to evaluate the occurrence, origins and impacts of WAIs in two high-resolution (~11km) regional climate model datasets produced as part of the EU Horizon 2020 project PolarRES1. The German ICON model and British MetUM models were used for this purpose. My colleague Jan Landwehrs and I enhanced our own models by adapting them to output integrated water vapour transport (IVT), which is necessary to track WAIs in model data.
The aims of the project were as follows:
1. Apply the WAI detection method of Prein et al. (2023) to model simulations produced as part of PolarRES2. Evaluate the impacts of WAIs on the polar environment, using a case study approach3. Create a climatology of WAIs in the Arctic and Antarctic4. Compare the frequency and impacts of WAIs between the Arctic and Antarctic5. Develop the collaboration between researchers at BAS and AWI-Potsdam
All five of the objectives have been successfully completed or are in progress, and we continue to work on the project together.
During my visit, we agreed to examine two extreme case studies. First, for the Arctic, the period April 2020 was simulated. This month was during the MOSAiC campaign 2 and two WAIs were identified in this period that crossed the Arctic and arrived at the Polarstern, which was moored in the sea ice. This meant that there were many observations against which to validate the model simulations. Second, for the Antarctic, the period March 2022 was simulated. A record-breaking atmospheric river/WAI was recorded in this period, which resulted in enormous temperature change, melt fluxes and surface energy budget perturbations, as documented in the literature (e.g. Wille et al., 2024a; 2024b). This meant we could compare our results against an already thorough and well-documented case.
We adapted the detection algorithm of Prein et al. (2023) for use in the polar regions. The technique detects WAIs using an absolute IVT threshold and a percentile-based threshold that is computed from an IVT climatology. However, using data from global datasets in this context is not appropriate because the polar environment is much drier and colder. Hence, using mid-latitude or tropical thresholds will under-detect polar WAIs. Therefore, we used an ERA5-based climatology produced by Melanie Lauer, an AWI collaborator, and revised the threshold to 100 kg kg-1 s-1.
We applied the algorithm firstly to the two case studies and then to the full data period (2000-2022). The algorithm had not before been applied in the Antarctic, so this is novelwork. Further work is ongoing at AWI to apply the algorithm to future projections of Arctic climate made by downscaling CMIP-class models with ICON as part of PolarRES.
Figure 1 shows an example of some of the output of the Prein et al. algorithm. It returns the coordinates of WAI ‘objects’ which allow us to track the WAI as it moves through time and space. Figure 1 shows a specific example from the March 2022 heatwave in Antarctica. The colours show IVT transport within the footprint of the WAI, which is defined as all the gridpoints that are determined to be within the tracked WAI object at any point during its lifetime. The black dots show the mid-point ‘track’ of the object.
Figure 1 – WAI “footprint” for an extreme case during March 2022 over the Antarctic. Model data shown are from the MetUM model. Colours show total integrated water vapour transport (IVT) during the entire event, and the black dots show the location of the object’s track – defined in the algorithm as the central coordinates of the object.
We compared the outputs of both models, and Figure 2 shows an example of the objects tracked by the Prein et al. algorithm. Objects are enclosed by coloured lines, which are tracked over space and time by the algorithm: Figure 2 shows a snapshot from April 2020 over the Arctic, with ICON on the left and MetUM on the right. Both represent WAIs similarly, and have comparable IVT amounts, which is encouraging.
Figure 2 – A snapshot of WAI outputs from a) ICON and b) MetUM over the Arctic during April 2020. Simulated IVT is shown as blue filled contours, with the WAI objects tracked by the Prein et al. (2023) algorithm overlain as solid coloured lines. The location of the MOSAiC measurements is indicated with a red cross.
Whilst in Potsdam I explored the impact of simulated WAIs on the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets, evaluating their effects on the surface energy balance, melting and precipitation. I compared WAI/atmospheric river periods with non-WAI/atmospheric river periods throughout the two case studies for both ice sheets. Some examples using the MetUM are given in Figure 3. They show that WAIs are warmer, moister and cloudier than non-WAI periods, and that they deliver considerable energy and precipitation to both polar regions. Further work is ongoing to explicitly and systematically understand by how much WAIs can enhance processes like melting and precipitation, and hence their contribution to societally-relevant questions like ice mass loss and sea level rise.
Mean near-surface air temperature (T)
Mean hourly precipitation rate (pr)
Mean net energy balance (Etot)
Figure 3 – Comparison of composited WAI/AR conditions vs non-WAI/AR conditions for the Antarctic (left) and Greenland (right) ice sheets, as simulated by the MetUM model. Sub-plots show mean near surface air temperature at the top, where reds and blues indicate temperatures above and below 0°C, respectively; mean precipitation rate in the middle, where darker blues indicate heavier precipitation; and mean net energy balance on the bottom, where red and blue colours indicate positive and negative energy balance, respectively.
Since my visit, I have continued to work on this project with Jan Landwehrs and Annette Rinke at AWI-Potsdam. This work was also the subject of a project at an early career bootcamp that Jan and I attended, where we collaborated with Marlen Kolbe from KIT, who provided additional simulation data using another model. I have also been invited to return to AWI in October to continue the collaboration, and we intend to submit a paper on this topic in the near future. While I was in Potsdam I was also invited to give several seminars, including one at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impacts research, and co-supervised a bachelor’s student thesis project.
I am extremely grateful to the society for the support, which has allowed me to deepen my collaborations with AWI and in Germany more broadly, and to develop my own independent research agenda and career prospects. Thank you again for the opportunity.
Find out more about our Rupert Ford Award
Footnotes:1. www.polarres.eu 2. https://mosaic-expedition.org/
References:Prein, A. F., Mooney, P. A., & Done, J. M. (2023). The multi-scale interactions of atmospheric phenomenon in mean and extreme precipitation. Earth’s Future, 11(11), e2023EF003534.Wille, J. D., Alexander, S. P., Amory, C., Baiman, R., Barthélemy, L., Bergstrom, D. M., … & Zou, X. (2024a). The extraordinary March 2022 East Antarctica “heat” wave. Part I: observations and meteorological drivers. Journal of Climate, 37(3), 757-778.Wille, J. D., Alexander, S. P., Amory, C., Baiman, R., Barthélemy, L., Bergstrom, D. M., … & Zou, X. (2024b). The extraordinary March 2022 East Antarctica “heat” wave. Part II: impacts on the Antarctic ice sheet. Journal of Climate, 37(3), 779-799.
4 November 2024
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October 30, 2024Standard Chartered Weather Photographer of the Year 2024 Winners Announced
taylor.johnson…
30 October 2024
The Royal Meteorological Society is delighted to announce the winners of Standard Chartered Weather Photographer of the Year 2024.
The winners were chosen by an international panel of judges with combined expertise in meteorology, photography, climate science and journalism. Also among the winners announced today is the ‘Public Favourite’, chosen through a popular online vote on this website.
Visit the Winners’ Gallery
The winner of Standard Chartered Weather Photographer of the Year Title Prize is Wang Xin of China, for ‘Sprites Dancing in the Dark Night’, a magnificent example of red sprite lightning, which lasts just a few milliseconds, requiring patience and skill to photograph. Xin wins a £5,000 prize.
Xin said, “I am very excited to win this year’s championship. First of all, I would like to thank the judges for their recognition of my work, and also thank my friends who have helped me. Red sprites are one of the most fascinating atmospheric phenomena, like mysterious ghosts in the night. In the future, I will use my own camera to record more red sprites and introduce this magical phenomenon to more people, allowing them to appreciate the beauty of the earth and value our climate environment.”
The winner of Standard Chartered Smartphone Weather Photographer of the Year is Nur Syaireen Natasya Binti Azaharin of Malaysia, for ‘Volcanoes’. The judges loved this photographer’s depiction of subtle weather features amongst smoking volcanoes in East Java, Indonesia.
“Winning the Standard Chartered Smartphone Weather Photographer of the Year 2024 with ‘Volcanoes’ feels both humbling and inspiring,” said Nur Syaireen. “To capture a moment that speaks to the earth’s raw, untamed forces and have it resonate beyond the lens is a reward in itself. This recognition motivates me to continue exploring the beauty and intensity that weather brings to our world, and I’m grateful to share this journey with others who feel the same passion. Thank you for this incredible honour.”
The winner of Standard Chartered Young Weather Photographer of the Year, for under-18s, is Angelina Widmann, Austria. Her photograph ‘Rain Aria’ shows an opera singer singing through a downpour during an open-air opera performance of Madame Butterfly.
Angelina said, “I’ve always been fascinated by weather phenomena and at some point I got into photography. The winning pictures of the RMets contest have always inspired me – to have won the Young category myself now feels amazing!”
The Standard Chartered Climate Award
Introduced for the first time in 2024 is the Standard Chartered Climate Award. The Standard Chartered Climate Award’s first winner is Gerson Turelly of Brazil. Gerson wins a prize of £1,000 for his image, ‘Rowing’, showing a kayaker bravely attempting to rescue stranded people in Porto Alegre, Brazil, during the devastating floods of Spring 2024. ‘Rowing’ also wins the title of ‘Public Favourite’, winning over 30% of this year’s online vote.
Gerson said, “It is a great honour and a great happiness to be the first winner of the Standard Chartered Climate Award – and to win the public vote too. And being able to represent Brazil with a photograph that portrays a little of a very critical moment in the recent history of my city is something very special and important, for me and for my city.”
Runners Up
The Main Title Runner Up, is Andy Gray, from the UK, whose image, ‘Hoarfrost Heaven’, depicts beautiful hoarfrost in the Peak District, UK. Andy wins £2,500.
“It was a surprise but I was delighted to have been selected as a finalist in this years competition,” said Andy. “To be included in this group of prestigious photographs is an honour. But more importantly as photographers we have a duty to promote the effects of climate change across the planet and hopefully help reduce the catastrophic effects we currently see unfolding.”
Third place in the Main Category goes to UK-based Jamie Russell for ‘Evening Shower over the Needles’, showing both a heavy downpour and rainbow framing the Isle of Wight Needles, a natural icon in the UK.
Smartphone runner up is Lesley Hellgeth of the US, with ‘African Dust over Athens’, depicting the surreal orange glow of Saharan dust surrounding the Parthenon in Athens.
“It was surreal to be on the Acropolis—a place in the world I may never be again—as the sky turned orange,” said Lesley. “Truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience in a once-in-a-lifetime kind of place. To later find myself in second place for the Standard Chartered Smartphone Weather Photographer of the Year is just as surreal. I’m immensely honoured to have my photo—and the story it tells—showcased via this venue. Ultimately, we are all interconnected and I encourage everyone who can to both travel and document that travel to help illustrate that interconnectivity to others.”
Smartphone Third Place is awarded to Peter Reinold from the US, who captured a ‘Circular Rainbow’ from his aeroplane seat. He said, “I was super excited to get this news. It was my first time participating and I never expected to get this far with heavy competition from others who also submitted amazing photos – and they are all worth the title. I can’t wait to participate in next year’s contest.”
Second Place in the Young category goes to Ellis Skelton for ‘Saturated Earth and Sky’s Promise’, who said, “My work heavily relies on the changing seasons throughout the UK, each month bringing new light & colour,” said Ellis. “When I heard I had made it to second place I was over the moon, it’s fantastic knowing that others feel both amazed and stunned by the events I am able to capture.”
Third Place in the Young category is awarded to Lincoln Wheelwright from the US for ‘Fire and Ice’, a dramatic shot of a thunderstorm rolling in.
Visit the Winners’ Gallery to see all the 2024 winning images, runners up and finalists. Enjoy the Winners’ Announcement videos on Instagram today by some of our judges and sponsors.
The 2024 competition saw an increase in entries raising awareness of the impact of climate change on the world’s weather patterns. To highlight this, a Climate Gallery will launch on this website during COP 29 (the 2024 UN Climate Change Conference), from Monday 11 November. This will be a chance to see more of the climate change stories captured by photographers in the competition, and to learn more about how climate change is affecting different regions of the world.
Don’t forget to pre-order your Standard Chartered Weather Photographer of the Year 2025 wall calendar now from the RMets shop, which features all of the 2024 winners and finalists.
30 October 2024
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October 30, 2024Standard Chartered Weather Photographer of the Year 2024 Winners Announced
taylor.johnson…
30 October 2024
The Royal Meteorological Society has announced the winners of this year’s Standard Chartered Weather Photographer of the Year competition.
From a shortlist of 25 images received by entrants from 84 countries, the winners were chosen by an international panel of experts from the fields of meteorology, photography and journalism, including members of the ITV Weather team. In addition, the public voted for their favourite.
The Standard Chartered Weather Photographer of the Year 2024 Title Prize Winner is Wang Xin of Shanghai, China, with their photo ‘Sprites Dancing in the Dark Night’. As multiple thunderstorms raged around Shanghai, Xin travelled to the Chongming District and after a few hours, a “faint red figure” flashed in their eyes and this remarkable image was captured. The judges commented that it is rare to see an image with this extent and number of sprites. Wang wins a £5,000 cash prize.
Main Title Runner-Up, Andy Gray of Matlock, UK, depicts a spectacular display of hoar frost over the Derwent Valley, UK, in his photo ‘Hoarfrost Heaven’. Judges loved the colours and light in Andy’s photo, as well as the sense of layers provided by the rolling hills, the different types of trees and the thin layers of mist. As one judge put it: “The more you stare at it, the more you see.”
Main Title Third Place goes to Jamie Russell of Isle of Wight, UK, who took advantage of sea and air to capture his photo ‘Evening Shower Over the Needles’. Jamie reports, “Some large showers started developing 20 miles or so to our north-northwest. Realising they could cross The Needles with rainbow potential, we jumped in our rib at Colwell Bay and positioned ourselves with the camera.” This photograph also came second in the vote for the Public Favourite.
The Standard Chartered Smartphone Weather Photographer of the Year Winner is Nur Syaireen Natasya Binti Azaharin of Selangor, Malaysia, who had gone out with the expectation of capturing a sunrise but was instead rewarded with this glorious view of smoking volcanoes in East Java, Indonesia. The judging panel praised the subtlety of the shot, appreciating the combination of the curves of the landscape and the curves of the tree in the foreground with the basin of clouds and the blue sky above. Nur wins a cash prize of £2,500.
Smartphone Runner-Up Lesley Hellgeth of Mount Vernon, United States, shot the photo ‘African Dust Over Athens’, which shows the influence of Saharan dust on Athens during April 2023 and is a reminder of the interconnectivity of weather conditions around the world, an aspect that particularly impressed the judges.
Smartphone Third Place goes to Peter Reinold of Kent, US for the image ‘Circular Rainbow’. Peter held his camera phone steady through a turbulent landing at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to capture this complete circular rainbow. Judges enjoyed how the image “encapsulates the spirit of smartphone photography” in its opportunism. The circular rainbow would have been there for just a second and Peter captured it.
The Standard Chartered Young Weather Photographer of the Year title goes to Angelina Widmann of Bregenz, Austria, whose winning photo ‘Rain Aria’ captures an open-air performance of Madame Butterfly on the eastern shore of Bodensee (also known as Lake Constance) in Bregenz, Austria. Angelina’s photo wins a cash prize of £750, plus a double page spread in The Week Junior Science+Nature magazine and a year’s subscription to the magazine.
Young Weather Photographer Runner-Up is awarded to Ellis Skelton of Eastbourne, UK, for his photo ‘Saturated Earth and Sky’s Promise’, a panoramic image of Cuckmere Valley in East Sussex. The judging panel noted how the photograph seems to contain two seasons: summer on the left and autumn on the right. The beauty of the sky contrasted with the flooding on the ground is a reminder of both the wonder and misery the sky can bring.
Young Weather Photographer Third Place is awarded to Lincoln Wheelwright of Texas, United States, with the photo ‘Fire and Ice’. Lincoln grabbed his camera and took this picture from his house in Austin, Texas, as a thunderstorm began rolling in. The Gulf of Mexico is warming rapidly due to climate change, boosting the supply of moist air and raising the potential of intense storms in the region.
Standard Chartered Climate Award
New to this year’s competition is the Standard Chartered Climate Award, created to underscore the connection between weather patterns and the broader impacts of climate change, illustrating how these global shifts affect our daily lives. The winner of the first Standard Chartered Climate Award is Gerson Turelly of Brazil, for the photograph ‘Rowing’. This compelling image shows the centre of Porto Alegre, Brazil, during the devastating Rio Grande do Sul floods of Spring 2024. In this image, a road has turned into a waterway down which a young man paddles a kayak. Gerson notes that the kayaker was headed towards the worst affected areas to help rescue stranded people.
The composition and lighting of the photo were praised by the judging panel, as well as the powerful combination of weather and climate impacts portrayed in the scene. Judges also commented how the picture shows “past, present and future”; flooding has always been something that we must deal with and adapt to, however as climate change increases the intensity of heavy rainfall, flooding will become even more common. Gerson wins a cash prize of £1,000.
The Winner of the Public Favourite is also Gerson Turelly of Brazil, for ‘Rowing’ – a popular photograph with both the judges and public alike.
Professor Liz Bentley, Chief Executive of the Royal Meteorological Society, commented: “I’m delighted with the variety and quality of this year’s winning photographs which show a real window into the world’s weather and climate, in both its regional differences and its interconnectivity. From African dust impacting on Athens to tranquil weather over volcanoes, from a sudden local downpour to increased intense rainfall and flooding around the world, we are reminded that climate change is impacting on weather patterns everywhere, and that the global community needs to come together to act now and curb any further temperature rise.”
Marisa Drew, Chief Sustainability Officer at Standard Chartered, commented: “The winning images in this year’s competition tell a powerful story about our planet and the extraordinary force of extreme weather events. Many of the images draw urgent attention to the impact of our changing climate on communities and biodiverse habitats around the world. This is particularly true of the winner of our inaugural Climate Award, Gerson Turelly, with an image of the devastating flooding in Porto Alegre, Brazil. As headline sponsors of the Weather Photographer competition, we hope to raise further awareness about the threat posed by rising temperatures and associated extreme weather events. Congratulations to all the winners and runners-up, and thank you to everyone who entered.”
The 2024 competition saw an increase in entries raising awareness of the impact of climate change on our weather patterns around the world, and the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events such as floods, droughts and forest fires. Climate change is one of the greatest challenges facing the world today, and its impact on the environment and human health significantly affects sustainable economic growth and the future of society. The Standard Chartered Weather Photographer of the Year, hosted by the Royal Meteorological Society, continues to provide an ongoing commentary on the fragility and beauty of the planet.
View the Winners’ Gallery
30 October 2024
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October 21, 2024Global heating particularly increasing risk of death from smoke inhalation in Australia, South America, Europe and parts of Asia
Global heating is causing more of the planet to be burned from wildfires and probably killing an extra 12,000 people a year from breathing in smoke, new research has found.
Global heating was particularly increasing the risk of death from wildfire smoke in Australia, South America, Europe and the boreal forests of Asia, one modelling study found.
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October 20, 2024Sport at any age | The north’s broader cultural offering | Changing passwords | British summers | Guinness shandy
Tom Garry speaks for the many of every age who play tennis for love of the game (Jack Draper, I’m coming for you: how I became British tennis’s No 5,936, 14 October). At 76, I still play league matches, and haven’t given up running. Tennis stardom is for the young; but across the country there are cohorts of us, getting older but still reaping the social, physical and mental benefits of regular, competitive exercise. Thank you for spreading the word.Norma ClarkeLondon
• It was good to read a positive article on the arts in Yorkshire (‘Lady Gaga went to our chippy’: how Yorkshire became a cultural powerhouse, 16 October), but disappointing that the survey did not include the splendid Opera North, nor the two notable dance organisations based in Leeds: Northern Ballet and the dynamic, ethnically diverse, Phoenix Dance Theatre.Sheila CrossNewby Wiske, North Yorkshire
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October 20, 2024Met Office issues warnings for across the UK as the first named storm of the season sweeps in
Parts of the UK have been battered by strong winds and heavy rain, as Storm Ashley – the first named storm of the season – swept in.
The Met Office said the storm was likely to bring a threat of injuries and danger to life, with winds of up to 80mph and heavy rain expected in some areas.
A yellow warning for wind came into place at 3am on Sunday for the whole of Scotland and Northern Ireland, as well as parts of north-west England and Wales. It will run until midnight.
An amber warning for the north-west of Scotland has been issued from 9am until midnight, with the Met Office warning “injuries and danger to life is likely from large waves and beach material being thrown on to coastal roads, sea fronts and properties”.
The Met Office meteorologist Dan Stroud said that very strong and severe gales, together with high spring tides, could also result in very large waves. The north of Scotland will remain under a yellow warning for wind from midnight until 9am on Monday.
Farther south, the Met Office issued a yellow warning for the south-west of England and south Wales until midday on Sunday, warning that travel may be disrupted and power supplies interrupted, with possible flooding.
The Environment Agency’s website listed 41 active flood warnings on Sunday morning, meaning flooding is expected, and 132 flood alerts, meaning flooding is possible, with warnings in place for areas of the River Severn, the south Cornwall coast, and the Wye estuary.
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October 19, 2024Forecast of high winds and rain leads to cancellation of event that was due to take place in Portsmouth on Sunday
High winds and rain expected from Storm Ashley have caused organisers to cancel the Great South Run, which was due to take place on Sunday.
Great Run, which organises the annual 10-mile race in Portsmouth, said it had been monitoring weather conditions and they “haven’t improved to a point where we can safely stage Sunday’s event”.
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October 18, 2024Amber weather warning issued for Scotland on Sunday, with yellow warnings for Northern Ireland and parts of England and Wales
Parts of the UK are expected to be hit by ferocious winds of up to 80mph this weekend as the first named storm of the season closes in.
The Met Office has issued an amber weather warning ahead of Storm Ashley for the north-west of Scotland on Sunday, as well as a yellow warning for the entirety of Scotland and Northern Ireland, north-west England and parts of Wales.
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October 18, 2024Upcoming website maintenance
nathan.reece@r…
18 October 2024
Please note that the Royal Meteorological Society website will be temporarily unavailable whilst we implement improvements to our ACCSYS CPD platform.
The website will be unavailable on:
22 October 2024, from 07:00 — 08:00 (BST) 24 October 2024, from 07:00 — 10:00 (BST)
Thank you for your patience as we apply these enhancements.
18 October 2024
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October 15, 2024Met Office says up to 80mm of water could fall over six hours in some areas, potentially causing flooding
The Met Office has issued yellow weather warnings for rain that may lead to travel disruption and flooding over the next two days.
The first will stretch from Plymouth and reach as far north as Manchester, covering parts of north-west and south-west England, Wales and the West Midlands.
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October 14, 2024Cloudy with a chance of meatballs | State education | Handing Scotland over | 1p and 2p coins| Starmer’s change
“This year’s damp high season wasn’t terrible, just typical – but now we judge it against the scorching temperatures of the 2020s,” writes David Hambling (Weatherwatch, 10 October). We use a much simpler method: the metric … number of barbecues we’ve had. We might have lost count in 2020, but in 2024 it has been a one-barbecue summer.Bob DawsonGreenmount, Greater Manchester
• As secondary school rolls plummet, now is the time for students to leave private education and prevent the budgetary shortfall schools would be facing (Plans to add VAT to private school fees won’t be delayed, says minister, 8 October).Sally Bates Cotgrave, Nottinghamshire
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October 14, 2024Warm air from south to deliver above-average temperatures – but heavy rain expected to follow
North-west Europe is forecast to experience a burst of autumn warmth this week, thanks to warm air from southern Europe spreading northwards. This brief episode of warmer-than-average conditions will be driven by an amplified, or “wavy”, jet stream, which will allow warm air to push farther north.
Daytime temperatures across much of France are forecast to reach the mid-20s on Tuesday and Wednesday, with some areas in the south-west potentially exceeding this. Meanwhile, the Benelux area and south-east England are expected to reach the low-20s by midweek.
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October 11, 2024Arctic air is on the way but southern England will be relatively unscathed as temperatures up to 16C are forecast
The UK is bracing itself for a frosty weekend accompanied by cold air from the Arctic, the Met Office has said.
Forecasters have warned that more wintry conditions and chilly weather will mean most people in the UK will require a thick coat over the next couple of days. Saturday is expected to be the wettest day of the weekend, particularly for parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland.
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October 11, 2024Aurora borealis could be seen as far south as London, Kent and East Anglia on Thursday night
The northern lights lit up the skies with bright pink hues on Thursday night.
Photos of the dazzling natural phenomenon, also known as the aurora borealis, were captured across England.
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October 10, 2024‘Do not be alarmed,’ says weather presenter after queries about app’s warning of hurricane-strength winds
The BBC told people to “not be alarmed” after its weather app said on Thursday morning that the UK was being buffeted by a hurricane.
The broadcaster said the UK was not expecting “hurricane force winds” of 15,759mph, contrary to the information on its weather site and app.
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October 10, 2024State of the Climate for the UK Energy Sector 2023-24
nathan.reece@r…
10 October 2024
The Royal Meteorological Society has published the first State of the Climate for the UK Energy Sector report, which provides an overview of how weather impacted the UK’s energy industry between January 2023 and April 2024.
For weather or climate professionals who may be less familiar with the energy sector, this report provides insight into how weather events impact infrastructure and energy supply and demand.
Energy sector stakeholders will also benefit from the report, as it provides a 16-month perspective on key challenges and impacts, helping to inform future planning and operations for a weather-resilient UK energy sector.
By summarising the weather conditions that led to disruptions and highlighting the most significant events, the report serves as a vital resource for shaping future policies—particularly regarding renewable energy development and resilience planning.
Download the State of the Climate for the UK Energy Sector report.
Download the report
10 October 2024
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October 8, 2024Come Rain or Shine: Free Online Weather Course Relaunched
taylor.johnson…
08 October 2024
Come Rain or Shine, the Royal Meteorological Society’s award-winning, online course has relaunched for a new cohort of weather enthusiasts to explore the physical processes that drive UK weather systems.
Developed in partnership with leading institution for climate science research, the University of Reading, Come Rain or Shine is aimed at A-Level geographers, teachers, and weather enthusiasts. Individuals considering the course, need not have existing knowledge of meteorology, just an interest in learning about the weather!
Throughout the course, students are given the opportunity to try their hand at forecasting, interpreting weather maps and carrying out experiments with RMets Head of Education, Professor Sylvia Knight, and Professor Peter Inness of the University of Reading.
“After seventeen runs, Come Rain or Shine is still in such high demand! For this relaunch we’ve taken the opportunity to tweak the design a little, add some new information, as well as update the old where it needed it.” said Professor Knight.
Over 44,000 people have already benefitted from Come Rain or Shine. In its new format the course is now available to complete for free, over a period of five weeks.
Find out more and enrol today
7 October 2024
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October 7, 2024Met Office issues yellow thunderstorm warning and says flooding and lightning strikes most likely in coastal areas
Thunderstorms and heavy rain may cause travel disruption across parts of southern England and Wales, the Met Office has forecast.
The weather service has issued a yellow thunderstorm warning from 4pm to 11.59pm on Monday across much of south Wales, south-west England and parts of southern England.
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October 7, 2024Hurricane activity is strong in Atlantic while months of below-average rainfall in South America leads to drought
Hurricane Kirk is heading towards Europe. At its peak strength in the mid-Atlantic, Kirk reached category 4 status with maximum wind speeds of 145mph. As Kirk tracks north-east towards Europe, leaving the warm seas behind, it is expected to be downgraded to a category 1 hurricane by Monday.
Over the next few days, Kirk will undergo extratropical transition, becoming an ex-hurricane by the time it reaches Europe’s shores on Tuesday or Wednesday. Although there remains some model differences in the exact path of extratropical cyclone Kirk, it is projected to track across northern Europe with France, Belgium, the Netherlands and then northern Germany having the strongest winds and heaviest rain. Southernmost parts of the UK may experience some heavy rainfall if the system tracks ever so slightly further north.
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October 5, 2024Aurora borealis most likely to be seen in Scotland, Northern Ireland and north of England but may be seen farther south
The northern lights could put on a show across the UK this weekend with recent solar flares creating the potential for a “breathtaking” display.
Aurora borealis is most likely to be visible in Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern England. However, there is potential for the lights to be seen farther south, as in May this year, due to intense activity on the sun.
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October 4, 2024Met Office warns of unsettled weather as tail end of major category 4 storm sweeps towards northwest Europe
Britons may have to brace for a blast of wind and rain next week as the tail end of Hurricane Kirk passes by.
The Met Office warned of unsettled weather over the weekend, ahead of potentially disruptive conditions from midweek brought about by the remnant of the major storm as it sweeps towards northwest Europe.
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October 3, 2024Cities have more concentrated downpours than areas outside them, a study says, raising the flash flood risk
Cities are magnets for summer rainstorms and now it turns out that they also intensify storms, raising the risk of flash flooding. The larger the city, the more of a deluge it generates, and as climate warms and cities grow, the greater this problem is likely to become.
Herminia Torelló-Sentelles, from the University of Lausanne, Switzerland, and her colleagues studied seven years of rainfall data from eight cities in Europe and the US. The cities varied in size, climate and shape, but all of them were in relatively flat regions and far from large bodies of water. They found that larger cities – such as London and Phoenix – received summer rainfall that was both more intense (up to 11%) and concentrated (up to 15%) than that of their surrounding areas. Meanwhile, smaller cities such as Milan saw rainfall intensify by about 4%.
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September 29, 2024Two weather warnings for wind and rain, with river levels already high and ground saturated in some places
England and Wales are braced for heavy rain and strong winds just days after homes and businesses were flooded.
Two fresh weather warnings come into force on Sunday for wind and rain which will hit areas already saturated by downpours earlier in the week.
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September 28, 2024Days after floods hit, further heavy rain likely to cause travel delays and flooding from 4pm on Sunday
Weather warnings have been issued as strong winds and heavy rain are on the way to the UK, days after some areas were hit by flooding.
A yellow rain warning has been issued by the Met Office – meaning further heavy rain is likely to cause some travel delays and flooding – covering much of southern England and south Wales between 4pm on Sunday and 9am on Monday.
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September 27, 2024Transport disrupted and more than 60 flood warnings still in place, with more downpours to come
The Met Office has issued a weather warning for strong winds on Sunday as parts of the country recovered from heavy rain and flooding. Flooding disrupted rail services in England and Wales on Friday morning and led to the closure of the M5 motorway in both directions in Gloucestershire.
The Environment Agency told drivers their cars could be swept away in as little as 30cm (12in) of water as more than 60 flood warnings were issued in England after heavy rain overnight, with further downpours to come.
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September 26, 2024The south-east could also see lightning, winds up to 50mph and even ‘isolated brief tornadoes’
Parts of the UK have been hit by further flash floods as the Met Office warns of more heavy rain throughout the evening and into Friday morning.
The Tornado and Storm Research Organisation (Torro) is also forecasting that much of the south-east could see lightning, winds up to 50mph and even “isolated brief tornadoes”. This includes much of East Anglia, the south-east Midlands and central southern England.
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September 25, 2024New RMetS Reports: Climate Change Impact on Insurance Sector
nathan.reece@r…
25 September 2024
In January, the Royal Meteorological Society, in partnership with Brit Insurance and WTW, held a workshop with experts from across UK academia and industry, to discuss the challenges around the use of weather and climate data, communication of science, and continued cross-sector collaboration.
Findings from the workshop highlighted a need for improved collaboration between academia and insurance to address challenges related to data sharing, communication of uncertainty, and the continued integration of climate change information into risk models.
Today, the Society publishes three reports that discuss the use and applicability of weather and climate information for insurance. The reports detail current useable climate data, and improvements that can be made to scientific study, communication, and research practice, to ensure actionable information is provided to business.
Access the three reports here.
30 September 2024
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September 25, 2024Climate Change Impact on Insurance Sector
nathan.reece@r…
25 September 2024
London, 30 September 2024 — A series of reports released by the Royal Meteorological Society (RMetS) this week highlight the critical challenge facing the insurance industry in actualising opportunities emerging from climate change.
The reports, published in partnership with WTW, emphasise how insurers can future proof their businesses and the sector at large by working with academia to better understand climate risk. The three reports identify key areas where improved cooperation between academics and industry could benefit insurance firms and their customers, improving the efficacy of research and the use of climate projections.
Risks to Insurers
The reports underscore that, despite progress in understanding natural catastrophes, there are still uncertainties in our understanding of the historical variability of extreme events. Furthermore, the full scope of future risk is uncertain due to limitations of current assessment tools. These uncertainties pose a substantial risk to insurers’ ability to accurately assess and price climate-related risks. Without a robust understanding of these risks, insurance firms may face challenges in maintaining financial stability, as they could either underprice policies and face significant losses or overprice them and lose market competitiveness.
Moreover, the reports suggest that without improved collaboration with academia, insurers risk continuing to fund research that is either too narrowly focused on specific end-users or misaligned with the broader goals of the industry. This misalignment may result in ineffective risk management strategies, further threatening financial stability.
Opportunities for Insurers
The reports stem from an industry-wide workshop hosted by RMetS earlier this year, which brought together experts from across the UK’s insurance and financial sectors, along with academics and climate service professionals. The workshop revealed a strong willingness from both the private sector and academic communities to work together in tackling the most pressing climate challenges facing the insurance industry. This collaboration presents a significant opportunity for insurers to refine their view of risk, leading to more accurate assessments and better-informed decision-making. By engaging with academics throughout the research journey—from project design to development—insurers can ensure that research outcomes are actionable and tailored to client need.
Hannah Mallinson, Science Engagement Manager at the Royal Meteorological Society said,
“As the leading independent expert in weather and climate, the Royal Meteorological Society is delighted to have collaborated with WTW to report on the findings from our recent workshop. This initiative clearly highlights the value of improved collaboration between the insurance industry and academia. Such dialogue will not only increase the likelihood of achieving timely, impactful and more scientifically robust research outcomes, but also translate into an improved view of risk, helping to safeguard livelihoods in a changing climate with increasing weather extremes.”
Dr. Daniel Bannister, Weather & Climate Risks Research Lead, WTW Research Network, WTW said,
“Climate change brings risks that are urgent and complex, and these reports show the need for collaboration across sectors to address them. By partnering with the Royal Meteorological Society, we are helping guide the insurance sector toward meaningful change while ensuring academic research focuses on what matters most to our industry. These contributions will lead to stronger risk management tools, helping to protect businesses and communities in an increasingly uncertain world.”
Download the reports.
Download the reports now
30 September 2024
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September 24, 2024Thirty-five flood warnings in place across England after some areas get more than 100mm of rain in 48 hours
Commuters in parts of England are still facing travel issues despite a respite from heavy rain.
Parts of Bedfordshire, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire and Northamptonshire have had more than 100mm of rain in the past 48 hours, with Woburn in Bedfordshire recording 132mm, more than twice its September average rainfall, according to the Met Office.
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September 23, 2024Flooding in central and southern England caused widespread travel disruptions and closed schools after some areas experienced a month’s worth of rainfall in 24 hours. In parts of Bedfordshire, roads turned into rivers, with cars making their way through submerged streets. The London fire brigade said it received hundreds of calls about flooding-related incidents, including people needing to be rescued from cars and homes
Flooding causes chaos after month’s rain falls in a day in parts of England
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