Home

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.

September 14, 2024Met Office predicts dry and settled weather over coming days, though Scotland and Northern Ireland may get wind and rain Temperatures are forecast to soar this weekend, driving away the chilly start to the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness. Autumnal sunshine and highs of 21C were expected in some areas of southern England, the Met Office predicted – a far cry from the overnight low of -2.7C recorded in North Yorkshire on Thursday. Continue reading… [...] Read more...
September 13, 2024Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern England had best views of phenomenon with sightings as far south as Kent Skies across the UK have been lit up again by the northern lights, with the possibility of another view on Friday night. Also known as aurora borealis, the phenomenon could be seen most clearly in Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern England. Fainter sightings were also recorded as far south as Kent. Continue reading… [...] Read more...
September 11, 2024Low pressure to give rise to blustery showers and risk of thunder before temperatures increase again at weekend The UK could be hit with patchy frost over the next few days as Arctic air sweeps in, bringing with it blustery showers and a small risk of thunder and hail, the Met Office has said. There could be some snow or sleet on Scottish mountains, with temperatures about 4C or 5C below average for the time of year, coming in at about 10-13C in Scotland and 13-16C in southern England. Continue reading… [...] Read more...
September 9, 2024Band of low pressure will cause drop in temperatures, although sunny spells are possible by the weekend Autumn weather is on the way this week, with cold air from the Arctic moving in and sending temperatures plummeting. After a warm and sunny end to last week, heavy rain swept in over the weekend, with rain warnings in place across much of southern Britain on Sunday. Continue reading… [...] Read more...
September 7, 2024Met Office says new band of ‘heavy and thundery rain’ to sweep north through southern and central England and Wales Heavy rain is due to sweep across large parts of the UK this weekend, with many at risk of flooding. A new band of “heavy and thundery rain” will arrive on the south coast on Saturday and move northwards overnight, affecting central and southern England and Wales, the Met Office said. Continue reading… [...] Read more...
September 5, 2024Heating of 4C could increase potential offshore wind energy by average of 9% by end of century, research suggests A warmer world could bring more potential for offshore wind energy, according to a new study. Although it doesn’t bear thinking about, with heating of 4C potential offshore wind energy could increase by an average of 9% globally by the end of this century. Previous research has indicated that global heating will reduce the potential for wind power generation, but there is much uncertainty in how wind patterns will shift, and in particular how surface wind speeds will change over time. Continue reading… [...] Read more...
September 4, 2024RMetS Wins Award For Climate Communications Training taylor.johnson… 04 September 2024 A joint initiative between the Royal Meteorological Society (RMetS) and British Antarctic Survey (BAS) has been awarded the Outreach & Communication Award 2024 by the European Meteorological Society (EMS).  The project, Enabling community leaders to communicate about climate change, was honoured for its “innovative engagement approach to build an understanding of climate change within local communities, empowering people to engage with messages from politicians and the media to make informed decisions, thus enhancing the impact of science.”  Judges commented that it “concentrates on outreach to the general public and cleverly uses existing community leaders as key intermediaries to bring climate change information down to the community/individual level. This is a very innovative and strong approach, supported by high-level scientific expertise. The evaluation process strongly supports timely communication on climate change, which is urgently needed.”  About the project  In 2022, the Royal Meteorological Society, in partnership with the British Antarctic Survey, secured funding from the Natural Environment Research Council’s (part of UKRI) Growing Roots public engagement funding opportunity to deliver climate change communication training to community leaders in every region of the UK. The aim of the project was to build understanding of climate change within local communities, enabling people to engage with messages from politicians and the media and make informed decisions. The project team set out to pilot a new approach to engagement (train the trainer), using virtual workshops to give up to 140 community leaders the tools and confidence to talk to their audiences about climate change, and to extend the impact of the work by enabling them to spread messages more widely.  The project ran from August 2022 to February 2023, with an analysis of the project’s impact in autumn 2023. In August 2022, two virtual focus groups were held with 16 community leaders to better understand the needs of the audience and help shape the training. The findings from these focus groups were used to adapt and build on existing training materials held by RMetS. The project team then delivered six 90-minute virtual training sessions to 116 community leaders between October 2022 and January 2023. Each training session was jointly delivered by RMetS and BAS and covered the science of climate change, including how changes in the polar regions affect the wider world, the implications for the UK now and in the future, what governments and individuals are doing to tackle the problem, and ideas on how best to communicate and engage with their communities.   Impact  Surveys were sent to participants 1 month and 6 months after the training to assess their subsequent engagement with their community on climate change and the wider impact of the project. The 1-month survey asked about the session itself and how they had already used or planned to use the session. The 6-month survey looked at the ‘stickiness’ of learning but focused more on behaviour change and the impact of the sessions on participants and their organisations and activities.    Examples of impact from delegates include:  “We had 700 people through our doors at an engagement event, held on the back of a significant regular art focused community event (our session suggested combining with events held by different groups). 80 people signed up to our local environmental group and work from the event has gone into a local museum.”  “The group is considerably more active and running many more carbon reduction events.”  “The Board are much more aware of environmental issues and the need to lead on addressing them to our members.”  Hannah Mallinson, RMetS Science Engagement Manager, said,  “We’re delighted to have received this prestigious accolade from the EMS. Our Communicating Climate Change training is open to all kinds of organisations, and we are committed to growing the programme over the next few years.”  Read the full Enabling community leaders to communicate about climate change case study here 4 September 2024 RMetS – General [...] Read more...
September 3, 2024Yellow warning for downpours in south-east England and parts of Wales but western Scotland could reach 26C The weather across the UK could be split this week with heavy downpours in southern England and a heatwave in western Scotland, with the expected rainfall prompting a yellow warning from the Met Office. Southern England will have “a spell of unsettled weather” that could include thunderstorms, lightning, strong winds and hail, while the worst affected areas may experience more than 50mm of rainfall within two hours. Continue reading… [...] Read more...
September 2, 2024Climate Calculations Challenge for Maths Week Scotland Opens Today taylor.johnson… 02 September 2024 As the leading independent expert in weather and climate, the Royal Meteorological Society (RMetS) believes that every student should leave school with basic climate literacy. We believe this would enable individuals to engage with the messages put forward by the media or politicians or to make informed decisions about their own opportunities and responsibilities when it comes to climate change mitigation and adaptation. It would also equip them with the knowledge and skills required for the green jobs of the future.  As part of this climate literacy initiative, RMetS has teamed up with Maths Week Scotland and Dr Frost Learning to produce a Climate Calculations Challenge competition which will run throughout September, through Maths Week Scotland (23 – 29 Sept), culminating in a winners’ announcement at the end of October.   Climate Calculation Challenge  Maths is at the centre of all things science, and climate change is no different.  The Climate Calculations Challenge requires students to explore the broad topic of climate change and the many possible links it has to mathematics by writing their own maths problems and questions, suitable in skill and style to the National 4/5.  This challenge is split into two parts: 1) writing questions and 2) peer reviewing questions from another group/class.    The Climate Calculations Challenge Timeline  For the best question in each topic, a voucher will be awarded (£5 Amazon vouchers for each student, up to £15 maximum for a group).   RMetS Climate Change Concept Association Tool  Participants are encouraged to use RMetS’ new Climate Change Concept Association Tool to help navigate the complex web of climate change topics. This interactive tool brings together more than three hundred climate change concepts in an engaging illustration of how they are linked.     RMetS’ Climate Change Concept Association Tool   Since its release, the tool has been popular with curriculum developers and teachers, enabling them to explore the breadth and depth of concepts which are covered by the term ‘climate change’—as well as the links between them.   Science communicators too have found the tool a useful aid in delivering compelling narratives about climate change. By enabling communicators to identify linkages in a wide range of climate topics, the tool helps to promote greater public understanding of climate change and its multifaceted nature.  Learn more about the Climate Calculations Challenge at Maths Week Scotland here Stay tuned for the winners’ announcement, which will take place at the end of October.   2 September 2024 Education [...] Read more...
September 1, 2024As much as 40mm of rain could fall in an hour in some places on Monday, forecasters say Thunderstorm warnings are still in place in the UK, parts of which could see as much as three inches of rain on Monday. The yellow warning began in the early hours of Sunday and will be in place until Tuesday, covering most of England, the east of Wales and the east of Scotland. Continue reading… [...] Read more...
August 31, 2024Weather warning in place until Sunday evening, with lightning and power cuts predicted in south-west Thunderstorms and heavy rain could bring flooding to parts of the south-west of England over the weekend. The Met Office has issued a yellow thunderstorm warning, which runs from 4am to 9pm on Sunday. Continue reading… [...] Read more...
August 29, 2024Names of notable meteorologists among choices for names of storms that develop between this autumn and next summer The Met Office has released the list of storm names for the 2024-5 season. The weather and climate service has been naming storms since 2015, publishing a list at the beginning of each autumn. To mark the 170th anniversary of the Met Office, this season’s list features names of notable figures from its history. Continue reading… [...] Read more...
August 27, 2024REF 2029 Main panel chair recruitment now open nathan.reece@r… 27 August 2024 The Research Excellence Framework (REF) is now seeking applications for the main panel chairs for REF 2029 Applications will close at midday on Thursday 26 September 2024. The Research Excellence Framework is the UK’s system for assessing the excellence of research in UK higher education providers. The REF outcomes are used to inform the allocation of around £2 billion per year of public funding for universities’ research. The Main Panel Chairs will hold overall responsibility for the REF 2029 main panels and play a key role in recruiting and developing the REF main panels and sub-panels. They will work and advise on the development and delivery of the exercise with the other main panel chairs, providing advice to the REF team and Steering Group. They will provide visible leadership for the REF panels and undertake an ambassadorial role for REF 2029 in the sector.  REF Panels There are four main panels which oversee the REF assessment, ensuring the assessment criteria and standards are consistently applied. The main panels provide leadership and guidance to a group of sub-panels in the following areas: Main panel A: Medicine, Health and Life Sciences Main panel B: Physical Sciences, Engineering and Mathematics Main panel C: Social Sciences Main panel D: Arts and Humanities The Role of Main Panel Chair The role of each main panel chair is to: undertake an ambassadorial role for REF 2029 in the sectorwork and advise on the development and delivery of the exercise with the other main panel chairs, providing advice to the REF team and Steering Groupplay a key role in recruiting and developing the REF main panels and sub-panelsprovide visible leadership for the REF panelshold overall responsibility for delivering the main panel responsibilities Find out more and apply to be a REF main penal chair here.   27 August 2024 [...] Read more...
August 24, 2024Yellow weather warning covering area from Portsmouth to Ipswich in place from 6am to 1pm on Saturday Up to 70mm of rain could hit parts of the UK on Saturday, with a yellow weather warning in place for much of the south-east after widespread disruption from Storm Lilian. The warning, which will be in place from 6am to 1pm, will stretch from Portsmouth, Hampshire, up to Ipswich in Suffolk. Continue reading… [...] Read more...
August 23, 2024Several departures from Heathrow and Leeds Bradford cancelled and hundreds of homes hit by power cuts Flights have been grounded and Leeds festival has been forced to shut down some of its stages amid severe weather warnings over Storm Lilian. High winds led to disruption across the north of England, with yellow warnings for wind in place on Friday morning and expectations of gusts of up to 80mph. Continue reading… [...] Read more...
August 23, 2024NFCC says statutory safety standards would raise emergency response to flooding and wildfires in line with rest of UK Fire chiefs are calling for more support to respond to extreme weather events such as flooding and wildfires in England amid warnings of a postcode lottery on safety standards during emergencies. The National Fire Chiefs Council urged ministers to impose a statutory duty in England to respond to severe weather-related incidents in order to ensure there is the right equipment, training and budget to deal with them. Continue reading… [...] Read more...
August 22, 2024New Standard Chartered Climate Award Announced nathan.reece@r… 22 August 2024 Followers of the prestigious Standard Chartered Photographer of the Year competition will have an exciting opportunity this year to explore an expanded collection of exceptional photography, thanks to the introduction of the new Standard Chartered Climate Award. This groundbreaking award, launched in 2024, leverages the power of photography to raise public awareness about the pressing issue of climate change. With a prize of £1,000, the award will be presented to the photographer whose work most effectively combines compelling storytelling about climate change with outstanding photographic skill. The Standard Chartered Climate Award was created to underscore the connection between weather patterns and the broader impacts of climate change, illustrating how these global shifts affect our daily lives. Photography, as a powerful visual medium, provides a unique platform to communicate these complex narratives, highlighting the urgent need for action. The Standard Chartered Climate Award aims to spotlight these vital stories, encouraging photographers to capture and share images that not only provoke thought but also inspire change. The winner of the Standard Chartered Climate Award, selected by a panel of expert judges, will be announced on 30 October 2024, alongside the winners of the Main, Smartphone, Young, and Public Vote categories.  In addition, a dedicated Climate Award gallery will be available on the RMetS website from November 2024 onward. This gallery will feature a curated selection of images from this year’s competition, accompanied by detailed information and stories that bring climate change into sharp focus. For more information about the new Standard Chartered Climate Award, please contact weatherphotographer@rmets.org 23 August 2024 WPotY [...] Read more...
August 22, 2024Met Office says heavy rain and 60mph gales could cause travel disruption and power cuts in northern UK Heavy rain and strong winds will sweep across parts of the UK as millions prepare to get away for the bank holiday weekend. Storm Lilian, announced by the Met Office on Thursday, could bring gusts of up to 80mph – with travel disruption, flooding, power cuts and dangerous conditions near coastal areas all likely. Continue reading… [...] Read more...
August 22, 2024July was warmer than 1961-1990 average and the 34.8C peak this month was very hot, but perceptions have changed There has been a widespread feeling that this summer was a big letdown, unusually cool and even cold at times. But was it really so bad? There were some hot spells, and on 12 August temperatures peaked at 34.8C in Cambridge, which was remarkably hot. British summers in the 1950s, 60s, 70s and 80s were far more likely to be thoroughly cool. And even the historic long hot summer of 1976 had only one occasion when 34.8C was exceeded, with a high of 35.9C on 3 July in Cheltenham, which set a new record at the time for the UK’s highest temperature. Continue reading… [...] Read more...
August 15, 2024Unlike many of us, birders hope for rain to ground birds on their way to warmer climes. Be on the lookout for songbirds flying south this summer No sooner has spring turned into summer in the UK, then it seems as if autumn is here. We may have enjoyed a belated heatwave at the end of July, but a possible return of more unsettled weather reminds us that the breeding season is now over, and the return journey of migrant birds to Africa has already begun. From mid-August onwards, birders on the coast hope for rain and wind, which grounds migrating songbirds that would otherwise fly overhead, unseen. Warblers, flycatchers and chats all migrate by night, stopping to rest and feed by day; so an early morning visit to a suitable habitat might produce surprises. Continue reading… [...] Read more...
August 14, 2024In a new survey, 75% of people felt it was unacceptable for men to be shirtless in public, unless there was a very good reason. Why so censorious? Name: Topless men. Age: As old as men. Continue reading… [...] Read more...
August 12, 2024Yellow health alert in place until 9am on Tuesday as temperatures soar across much of country Temperatures in the UK have surged to their highest point of the year so far with 34.8C recorded in Cambridge on Monday, the Met Office said. The previous highest UK temperature in 2024 was 32C, recorded at Heathrow and Kew Gardens, south-west London, on 29 July. Continue reading… [...] Read more...
August 12, 2024RMetS launches Careers for Climate guide taylor.johnson… 12 August 2024 With every year that passes, the impacts of climate change become increasingly evident around the world. Collective action is urgently required to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt. Now, more than ever, is an exciting time to consider a ‘green career’, with new industries and roles continuing to emerge as we decarbonise.  The new Careers for Climate Guide from the Royal Meteorological Society equips readers with the resources needed to be part of the solution to the climate crisis. With key considerations for individuals entering the world of work, to advice from professionals in a broad range of roles which have a positive impact on climate change, the guide demonstrates various pathways into a career for climate. As well as offering practical advice, detailed inside are the numerous ways that the Society can support individuals to build a career for climate including through trusted information, bursary schemes and volunteering experience. What is a ‘green career’?  A green career can be any job, role or occupation that directly contributes to—or indirectly supports—the achievement of the UK’s net zero emissions target and other environmental goals, such as nature restoration and adaptation.Green jobs can be found in any sector, not just those we perceive to care for the environment. In a green role, you could be supporting traditional industry in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, developing new technology for energy systems, or making day-to-day business more sustainable.  Every job has the potential to become ‘green’ as the UK transitions to net zero, but only with a workforce equipped with green skills. Green skills broadly describe the knowledge, abilities, values and attitudes needed to live in, develop and support a sustainable and resource-efficient society.  Interested in making a difference? Download the guide   12 August 2024 RMetS – General [...] Read more...
August 11, 2024Hottest day of the year expected on Monday in southern England and ‘sudden flooding’ alerts also issued Warnings of disruption from thunderstorms have been issued for the northern parts of the UK while southern England can expect what may be the hottest day of the year so far. Temperatures were expected to reach 34C or more in the south-east on Monday. So far the hottest day of the year in the UK was recorded on 19 July when a temperature of 31.9C was recorded at St James’s Park in central London. Continue reading… [...] Read more...
August 10, 2024Met Office also predicts thundery showers in parts of the country, with temperatures as high as 34C on Monday The UK will experience a short period of “strong summer sunshine” this weekend, with temperatures expected to reach into the high 20s. However, forecasters have warned “thundery” showers may also be on the way. High pressure winds drawing in warm air from Europe will cause temperatures to climb on Sunday and Monday before returning to average levels on Tuesday, the Met Office said. Continue reading… [...] Read more...
August 9, 2024Temperatures could reach high 20s and low 30s in England and Wales with severe thunderstorms also possible A short-lived but intense spell of hot weather is set to hit the UK this weekend, with temperatures expected to reach 33C (91.4F) in parts of the country as forecasters warn severe thunderstorms may also be on the way. Warm air will move up from Europe on Saturday and through Sunday and Monday, before temperatures dip again on Tuesday to average levels for this time of year, the Met Office said. Continue reading… [...] Read more...
August 2, 2024Early Career Researcher Co-Chairs Conference with the Support of RMetS Legacies Fund taylor.johnson… 02 August 2024 The RMetS Legacies Fund supports Society members by financing scientific activities, such as expeditions, research, and conference attendance. Recent recipient, Kanzis Mattu, shares how the Legacies Fund enabled her to co-chair the 2024 RMetS Early Career and Student Conference. Thanks to the RMetS Legacies Fund, I had the pleasure of co-chairing the 2024 Early Career and Student Conference, held at the Met Office headquarters in Exeter, from 1-3 July. This fund enabled me to travel to the conference from Glasgow and I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to the Society for granting me this financial assistance.  This year’s conference was a huge success after building on feedback from previous years. The event this year was spread over three days (previously the conference was held over two days) which allowed for longer networking sessions and more oral presentations. Presentations ranged from “applications” and “observations” to “atmospheric dynamics” and “AI and statistics” covering a range of topics within the weather and climate field. This conference truly is a useful and supportive environment to share, network and collaborate with other early careers researchers (ECRs) studying and working in meteorology.  As well as helping organise the event I was also honoured to serve as a panellist to share my views on the “Opportunities and Challenges of Science Communication” alongside Professor Liz Bentley (RMetS Chief Executive), Charlie Powell (ITV Weather Presenter), Kit Marie Rackley (Climate Ambassadors and Schools Climate Hub Regional Coordinator), Tristan Cann and Sylvia Hayes (Postdoctoral Researchers). My main takeaway for the audience was that the only way to move forward and progress is to push yourself out of your comfort zone. Looking back at myself a year ago when I attended this conference for the first time, I would have never imaged that I would be up on stage and talking on all three days as a session chair, panellist, and presenter. Attending this conference has allowed me to further develop my public speaking skills and improve my confidence as an ECR.  The social events allowed me to network with other students and ECRs that I otherwise wouldn’t have the chance to meet. This year we ran a pub-style quiz after the social dinner and launched the “Early Careers of Colour Network”. These events were a success in bringing delegates together and creating new connections.  Thank you to RMetS for giving me this opportunity to co-chair, share my views and my research through support from the Legacies Fund. I cannot recommend this conference enough! Find out more about the RMetS Legacies Fund 2 August 2024 Membership [...] Read more...
July 31, 2024Met Office says some areas could get a month’s rainfall in a few hours bringing risk of flooding Thunderstorms are due to hit Britain on Wednesday and Thursday, but warm weather is likely to continue for the rest of the week. Some areas could receive as much as a month’s rainfall in a few hours on Thursday, which could cause flooding, the Met Office said. Continue reading… [...] Read more...
July 30, 2024Calling all early career researchers and professionals: Peer review needs you! taylor.johnson… 30 July 2024 Are the ‘invitation to review’ emails stacking up in your inbox, but you don’t quite feel ready to click ‘accept’? Maybe you’ve not yet been invited but are keen to take part in peer review? If so, RMetS is here to support you!  Peer review is essential to the scientific process, whereby the scientific community provides constructive feedback about journal articles submitted for publication. Ultimately, this process strengthens both the science and its communication, and safeguards the integrity of scientific publishing. During the recent RMetS Early Career and Student Conference, RMetS surveyed attendees and found that most early career respondents had no experience of peer review but were keen to get involved. One of the main barriers to saying yes to invitations to review was knowing whether you have enough expertise to write a good review.  In an interactive Q&A at this year’s Annual Weather and Climate Conference, two Editors-in-Chief of RMetS journals, Dr Cristina Charlton-Perez (Meteorological Applications) and Dr Chris O’Reilly (Atmospheric Science Letters), discussed their experiences with peer review and their perspectives as Editors-in-Chief. A key message was that you don’t need to be an expert in all areas of a paper to write a good review; a good review is honest, and part of this is honesty about what you do and don’t know. A well-written paper should be understood by most people with some expertise in the field; if something in a paper is unclear to you, then asking the authors to communicate their methods or results more effectively is valuable feedback.   Another key takeaway was an understanding of the roles and responsibilities of the journal Editors versus reviewers. The decision to accept or reject a paper, and the level of revisions required, sits with the Associate Editor assigned to the paper. A reviewer’s role is to advise the Associate Editors and the Editors-in-Chief. While a reviewer’s report should be directed to the authors, there is always the opportunity to provide feedback which only the Associate Editor and Editors-in-Chief can see.   According to one attendee of the conference, Eme Dean-Lewis—who will soon be starting her doctoral studies having completed a Masters in Applied Meteorology at the University of Reading— “The session helpfully demystified the peer review process and how to get started as a potential reviewer”. If you too are thinking about getting involved in peer review, consider asking a supervisor to include you as a co-reviewer. By co-reviewing, you can learn on-the-job and benefit from your supervisor’s experience. If you feel ready to review by yourself, make yourself known to journal Editors. Have a look at which journals may be suited to your expertise and get in touch to let the Editor know your areas of interest and expertise.   From how long to spend on a review, to how to deal with a bad paper, the conference session covered many of the practicalities of being a reviewer. There is a clear appetite amongst early career researchers and professionals to get involved in peer reviewing and to be equipped with the tools to do an excellent job. In the coming months, RMetS is producing resources to support and train in peer reviewing, so please look out for these. If you would like to get involved in steering this initiative, please contact the Society’s Science Engagement Officer (beth.woodhams@rmets.org) for more information.  30 July 2024 Publications [...] Read more...
July 29, 2024Temperatures forecast to rise above 30C in south-east, with ‘significant impacts’ on health and social care UK health officials have issued yellow warnings as a heatwave is forecast to push temperatures above 30C in south-east England. The UK Health Security Agency issued yellow heat health warnings for all of England except the north-east and north-west until Wednesday. Continue reading… [...] Read more...

By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. more information

The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. If you continue to use this website without changing your cookie settings or you click "Accept" below then you are consenting to this.

Close