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.

October 28, 2026Meet Our New Student Ambassadors Aminat.Olasunk… 28 October 2026 Behind every great scientific community are passionate people who inspire others to get involved, ask questions, and explore new ideas. This year, we are proud to introduce our Student Ambassadors – a talented group of students from universities and research institutions across the UK who share a common enthusiasm for weather, climate, and the atmosphere around us. From aspiring forecasters and researchers to climate communicators and scientists-in-the-making, each ambassador brings their own unique journey, interests, and ambitions to the programme. Together, they represent the diverse and vibrant future of the weather and climate community. Throughout the year, our ambassadors will champion the Society within their universities, connect with fellow students, and help showcase the opportunities available through membership, events, and professional development activities. They will also act as a bridge between the Society and the next generation of meteorologists and climate scientists, sharing ideas, experiences, and insights from across the student community. But who are the people behind the role? In the profiles below, you’ll meet each of our ambassadors, discover what sparked their interest in weather and climate, learn about their academic interests, and hear what they hope to achieve during their time with the Society. We hope you’ll enjoy getting to know them as much as we look forward to working with them. Full Name: Jinhui YuCourse/programme: Environmental ScienceUniversity and Department: Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester Short bio: I am a PhD researcher in Environmental Science at the University of Manchester, focusing on urban climate, air quality, and renewable energy. I chose this field because I am passionate about using science and data-driven approaches to address environmental challenges and support sustainable cities. I became an RMetS Student Ambassador to connect with fellow students, share opportunities in meteorology and environmental science, and help inspire the next generation of researchers.   Full Name: Samuel PeachamCourse/programme: MEarthPhys Geophysics and MeteorologyUniversity and Department: The University of Edinburgh, School of GeoscienceShort bio: “I chose Geophysics and Meteorology at Edinburgh to combine my interest in the Earth and its atmospheric processes with hands-on physics, maths, and programmingI became a student ambassador to inspire students to pursue careers in meteorology by offering guidance, advice and practical insights.”Where you are from: I am from Dundee.   Full Name: Lana EmeryCourse Title: Mathematics with Ocean and Climate Sciences (Third year)University and Department: University of Liverpool, Department of Environmental SciencesShort bio: “Finding the perfect balance between my love for maths and my interest in the climate led me to my course, and I’ve been passionate about it ever since! As the first RMetS ambassador from my university, I’m excited to share that enthusiasm with my local community and help others navigate their own path into this incredibly rewarding field.”Where you are from: Milton Keynes   Full Name: Dylan FarrellCourse Title: BSc (Hons) Physics with MeteorologyUniversity and Department: University of Edinburgh, School of PhysicsShort bio: I’ve always been fascinated by the atmosphere and the way weather and climate influence the world around us, which inspired me to study Physics with Meteorology at the University of Edinburgh. Becoming an RMetS Student Ambassador gives me the opportunity to share my enthusiasm for meteorology, encourage other students to get involved with the Society, and help showcase the exciting careers and opportunities available within the field.   Whether you’re studying weather, climate science, climate change, meteorology, atmospheric science, air quality, hydrology, oceanography… the list goes on! Join now and find out how RMetS can support your studies and your future career. Find out more about becoming an RMetS Student Ambassador You can also contact us via membership@rmets.org to find out more about the programme and how you can get involved. 28 October 2026 RMetS – General [...] Read more...
October 28, 2026My Experience at the 2026 RMetS Early Career and Student Conference, Supported by the Legacies Fund Aminat.Olasunk… 28 October 2026 Shixin Zhao reflects on how support from the RMetS Legacies Fund enabled him to attend and present his research at the RMetS Early Career and Student Conference. My Experience at the 2026 RMetS Early Career and Student Conference, Supported by the Legacies FundI am very grateful to the RMetS Legacies Fund for supporting my attendance at the 2026 RMetS Early Career and Student Conference, held at the University of Exeter from 6 to 8 July. The funding made the journey possible for me, while the generous arrangements for accommodation and food made the whole experience comfortable and welcoming. The University of Exeter was also a wonderful venue, with a pleasant environment in which to meet, learn and exchange ideas. I gave an oral presentation, “Attributing Climate Hazards at UNESCO World Heritage Sites”, in the Attribution and Drivers session on July 8th. I shared my research on how attribution science can help identify the human influence on climate hazards affecting cultural World Heritage Sites and support more informed risk management. Presenting this heritage-focused work to a meteorology and climate audience was a valuable opportunity to communicate across disciplines and receive thoughtful questions and feedback. One of the highlights was learning from other researchers in my session. Their work introduced me to technical methods and approaches that I had encountered before but had not yet applied myself. Hearing how they used these tools in different types of attribution studies made the ideas much more concrete and gave me useful directions for strengthening my own research. I also learned a great deal from the wider programme and the large range of posters. The Climate Impacts and Resilience session was especially relevant, offering perspectives I can draw on when connecting climate hazards with risk assessment, adaptation and decision-making in heritage context. As an RMetS member coming from a cultural heritage background, I found the community exceptionally friendly and open. The conference showed me that there is a real place for interdisciplinary researchers like me to share our work. I left Exeter with new ideas, new connections and greater confidence in contributing to this community. My sincere thanks go to the RMetS Legacies Fund, the organisers and the hosts for making this experience possible. Find out more about the RMetS Legacies Fund 28 October 2026 RMetS – General [...] Read more...
October 27, 2026Apparently, I’m the person who turns up soaking wet, sucking Haribos. Who needs lifelong friends who know you inside-out when acquaintances tell it like it is? The worst kind of professional relationship is with the person you see twice a year, in a variety of different locations, because whatever they notice about you from that tiny observational sample, that’s what you’re like. So on the first rainy day in folk memory, the opening bars of Storm Austen, I turned up to a job with a photographer, soaked. I’d been on my bike and had tucked my trousers into my socks, so the accumulated water in the ankle area had seeped upwards, giving me a confusing wet leg-warmer effect, then a couple of dry inches, then an unbelievably wet rest of body. I was so wet that when I went to hug the studio’s labrador, he backed away from me like I was trying to give him a bath. “You were really wet last time!” the photographer exclaimed, remembering our previous meeting back in March. “Well, it’s a wet country,” I replied, before the person we were there to shoot chipped in: “It’s actually in unprecedented drought, but fine.” Then the photographer asked, “Have you thought about getting some wet-weather clothes, if you’re going to cycle?” and I said, “Obviously this is the first time that’s occurred to me, otherwise it would have happened at some point between March and now,” except she didn’t hear me because I had my mouth full of Haribo chewy sours. Continue reading… [...] Read more...
October 27, 2026Landmark report on the state of the UK weather and climate sector Aminat.Olasunk… 27 October 2026 New RMetS research provides the first systematic picture of the sector, highlighting the commitment of its people, the challenges they face and priorities for the future. What is the state of the UK’s weather and climate sector? Who works across it, what are their experiences, and what needs to happen to help it thrive in the years ahead? These are some of the questions addressed by the new State of the UK Weather and Climate Sector Report, led by the Royal Meteorological Society (RMetS), with the Met Office as a Supporting Partner, and with evidence synthesis and primary research summary completed by The Pearl at the Department of Meteorology, University of Reading. The report marks an important step in RMetS’ role as the voice of the weather and climate community. Drawing on the views of hundreds of respondents, alongside stakeholder engagement and supporting research, it establishes a new evidence base for understanding the sector, its strengths and its challenges. A community united by passion and purpose One of the clearest findings is the strength of commitment among people working across weather and climate. 93.3% of survey respondents rated their passion for the sector highly, with many describing their work as a vocation or a form of public service. That commitment reflects the many ways in which our community contributes to society: from forecasting severe weather and supporting public safety to advancing scientific understanding, informing climate adaptation and helping organisations make better decisions. Yet the research also highlights a challenge: passion for the work does not automatically mean that people have the conditions they need to build long and fulfilling careers in the sector. Responses point to concerns around workload, progression, recognition, workplace culture and longer-term career sustainability. These findings raise important questions about how organisations across the sector can better support, develop and retain the people on whom it depends. The report also highlights the breadth of the sector itself. It brings together people working across operational meteorology, academia, research, climate services, consultancy, government, defence and other areas where weather and climate expertise is applied. A sector evolving rapidly The research identifies significant changes in the capabilities the sector needs. Advances in artificial intelligence, automation, Earth observation, data science and digital systems are creating opportunities to improve forecasting, research and decision support, while also raising important questions about training, professional judgement and workforce development.The report explores several other areas requiring attention, including the visibility of career pathways, workplace culture, inclusion, leadership, progression and long-term workforce sustainability. Together, these findings point to the importance of supporting the people and organisations that underpin the sector, helping them develop the skills, opportunities and working environments needed to respond to changing demands. Turning evidence into action A key feature of the report is its set of recommendations, which identify practical opportunities for action across the community. These include improving the visibility of career pathways, strengthening mentoring and early-career support, investing in emerging capabilities, sharing good practice, and building a stronger evidence base for future workforce planning. The recommendations are directed at a range of stakeholders, including employers, educators, professional bodies, academia and government. Progress will therefore depend on collaboration across the sector. The report also establishes a baseline against which future research can track changes over time, helping build a richer understanding of the sector and the issues affecting it. Help shape what comes next For RMetS, this report is an important starting point. A clearer picture of the sector gives us a stronger foundation for conversations about its future, the challenges it needs to address and the opportunities it can seize. We hope members will explore the findings, consider what they mean for their own areas of work, and help us carry the conversation forward. Read the Executive Summary or download the full report, including its recommendations and proposed roadmap for action: State of the UK Weather and Climate Sector 2026 | Royal Meteorological Society 27 October 2026 RMetS – General [...] Read more...
October 27, 2026Weather Photographer of the Year 2026 Shortlist sarah.lacey@rm… 27 October 2026 News short title Weather Photographer of the Year 2026 Shortlist With voting now open until 5 November 2026, photography and meteorology lovers from around the globe are invited to cast their vote and select their favourite image in the Weather Photographer of the Year 2026 competition. Now entering its second decade, the Royal Meteorological Society’s (RMetS) competition serves as an international platform to raise awareness of environmental issues putting our planet at risk, including heatwaves, flooding, and wildfires – while showcasing the awe-inspiring beauty and power of our weather. The expert panel of judges had a tough job whittling down from over 5,500 amazing entries from around the world. Finalists were selected based on creativity, meteorological interest, and originality. It is now over to the public to have their say. The shortlist gallery for the public vote is available on the Royal Meteorological Society’s website and features a wealth of outstanding weather and climate photography. View the shortlist on the RMetS website. The 30 shortlisted images capture a diverse array of dramatic conditions across 13 countries, highlighting rare, powerful moments: from mist rolling over Mallorcan hills, brilliant crepuscular sunbeams across bridges, to delicate “icy hearts” forming on mountain mesh fences, double rainbows arching perfectly across the Scottish Highlands, and a rare single-exposure triple lightning bolt striking major New York skyscrapers. The collection also explores the realities of climate change. Images document agricultural lands engulfed by heat-driven blazes in Iran, severe wildfires burning through the Scottish Cairngorms, collapsing glacial ice calving surges in Patagonia, and densely populated communities completely isolated and surrounded by rising floodwaters in Bangladesh. The shortlist gallery provides insights into the science behind the weather phenomena and the stories behind the images – as well as the photographers’ adventures and the techniques used to capture them. Professor Liz Bentley, Chief Executive of the RMetS, emphasised the competition’s role in engaging people with weather and climate science:  “This competition continues to show us just how powerful photography can be in connecting people with weather and our changing climate. The incredible images shortlisted this year don’t just showcase the breathtaking, dramatic beauty of our skies, they also serve as a critical reminder of the impacts of climate change. With over 5,500 entries from around the world, our judging panel had an incredibly tough task in shortlisting the images and deciding on the winning images, and we are now delighted to hand over to the public to vote for their favourite.” The 2026 panel featured experts across meteorology, climate science, and photography. Judges include Professor Liz Bentley, ITV Weather Presenters Laura Tobin and Alex Beresford, photography experts Dennis Oswald and Tom Prater, and SheClicks founder Angela Nicholson. While the public chooses the ‘Public Favourite’, the expert panel selects the ultimate category winners. Competition Timeline:•    Public Vote Closes: 5 November 2026 (23:59 GMT)•    Winner Announcement: 17 November 2026  27 October 2026 WPotY [...] Read more...
October 26, 2026More strong winds are forecast after Storms Boelo and Austen cause travel disruption, flooding and kill two people About 90,000 properties across northern parts of the UK are still without power after a weekend of stormy weather, with forecasters warning of more strong winds to come. Two men were killed by falling trees after two named storms, Austen and Boelo, pummelled parts of the UK, bringing widespread travel disruption, flooding, power cuts and event cancellations. Continue reading… [...] Read more...
October 25, 2026Met Office reports gusts of 80mph in exposed coastal spots and advises people in affected areas to stay indoors Strong winds have battered Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern England overnight as Storm Boelo hit the UK. It was the second named storm in as many days, after Storm Austen brought strong winds to parts of the UK on Friday. The Met Office said wind speeds reached 60-70mph, affecting areas in an amber warning zone that came into force at 9pm on Saturday. Continue reading… [...] Read more...
October 24, 2026Fresh deluge of wet weather comes after Storm Austen brought strong winds to many regions on Friday Amber weather warnings have come into force as the worst of Storm Boelo could be set to hit parts of the UK. Storm Boelo’s winds will peak from Saturday evening, leaving areas in the warning zone, including Scotland, parts of Northern Ireland and the far north of England, braced for gusts of 60-70mph and even 80mph in exposed coastal spots, the Met Office said. Continue reading… [...] Read more...
October 24, 2026Second named storm in as many days will hit northern parts of UK as thousands remain without power after Friday’s Storm Austen The UK is bracing for a second storm this weekend, as strong winds and heavy rain are expected to disrupt travel and cause further power cuts in the north. Storm Boelo, the second named storm of the season, is expected to bring heavy, frequent showers and winds potentially exceeding 80mph to northern parts of the UK. Continue reading… [...] Read more...
October 23, 2026Dozens of schools in Cornwall also affected by conditions as another storm heads for Scotland, Northern Ireland and the north of England Thousands of homes are without power and schools have been closed as the first named storm of the year hit UK shores. Storm Austen brought severe conditions to parts of the south-west, with a gust of 76mph recorded at St Mary’s airport on the Isles of Scilly on Friday morning. Just before 11am, more than 16,000 homes in the south-west were without power, according to National Grid. Continue reading… [...] Read more...
October 23, 2026Storm Adam brings heavy rain to Valencia, Alicante and Balearic Islands, as Storm Austen gusts strike England and Wales Storm Adam brought torrential rain to eastern Spain earlier this week. In Pego, Alicante, 632mm fell in 36 hours with 430mm of this falling in just six hours, while the Valencian town of Olivia received 600mm in 24 hours. As a result, 145 municipalities, approximately 850,000 people, across Valencia and Alicante were placed in a temporary lockdown on Monday due to the severe flooding. At least five people have died and 500 have been rescued and 2,100 evacuated. The storm also affected the Balearic Islands, with more than 130 incidents recorded in Ibiza including standing water at the airport, which caused some flights to be diverted or suspended. Although the worst of the storm has passed and conditions improving across Valencia and Alicante, local disruption is expected to continue. Continue reading… [...] Read more...
October 22, 2026Storm Austen | Interpreting Hokusai | NI for pensioners | Creative car names | Queue for the Bayeux I was delighted to see that the first storm of the season is called Austen (Report, 20 October). I envisaged that its successors might be named after the Brontë sisters, Dickens and other notable British novelists. But my excitement soon subsided when I read that Storm Austen has been named not for Jane, but Austen Nagle, the first director of the Met Office. Christine Shuttleworth London • Jonathan Jones rightly praises the new exhibition of Hokusai’s work in Dulwich (Hokusai: Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji review, 19 October). But in Japan the work is read from right to left. We go with the power of the wave, but if you reverse the print, the wave appears even more dangerous. David Cockayne Warrington, Cheshire Continue reading… [...] Read more...
October 22, 2026With no wind to disperse the low cloud, mist and fog and less sunlight to burn it off, anticyclonic gloom can set in In summer, a high-pressure system over the UK usually means fine weather. But in the colder months it can result in anticyclonic gloom, characterised by grey skies, mist, fog and drizzle. A settled high-pressure system brings stable conditions and impedes the usual vertical movement of air. This is a recipe for sunshine when humidity is low, but can act like a lid, trapping atmospheric moisture near the surface. Continue reading… [...] Read more...
October 21, 2026Wind and solar generate a growing share of UK electricity, as weather continues to shape energy market prices nathan.reece@r… 21 October 2026 The Royal Meteorological Society’s third annual State of the Climate for the UK Energy Sector report examines the influence of weather on electricity generation, prices and supply interruptions from 1 April 2025 and 31 March 2026. Wind and solar provided 38.2% of electricity generated for the UK grid during the reporting period covered by the latest State of the Climate for the UK Energy Sector report, up from 33.3% in the previous report. Published by the Royal Meteorological Society (RMetS), the third annual report examines how weather conditions affected the UK’s energy sector over the reporting period. Its findings illustrate how changes in weather can influence renewable electricity generation, the mix of energy sources used to meet demand, and electricity prices. Despite the increased contribution from wind and solar, periods of unfavourable weather continued to coincide with significant changes in the make-up of our electricity generation and market prices. In early January 2026, a cold spell coincided with increased electricity demand and reduced renewable generation, leading to a spike in real-time electricity prices. In early October 2025, a prolonged period of very low winds reduced wind-power generation, leading to increased reliance on gas-fired generation and a further electricity price spike. The findings highlight the importance of understanding how weather conditions interact with electricity demand and the availability of different generation sources, particularly as wind and solar account for a growing share of the UK’s electricity. Weather also continued to cause interruptions to customer electricity supplies. The largest weather-related interruptions during the reporting period were associated with wind and precipitation from named storms, including Storm Floris in August, Storm Amy in October and Storm Claudia in December. Other regional impacts included snow associated with Storm Goretti in the Midlands on 8–9 January, heat across England in July, and lightning strikes from thunderstorms during the summer and autumn. Professor Liz Bentley, Chief Executive of the Royal Meteorological Society, said: “As the UK’s energy system evolves, it is important that we continue to build our understanding of how weather affects the sector. By tracking these impacts year on year, we can strengthen the evidence base available to businesses and policymakers, supporting informed decisions about the future of our energy system.” The report provides an annual assessment of weather-related impacts on the UK energy sector, helping to build an evidence base for understanding the relationship between weather, electricity generation, market conditions and the reliability of energy supplies. The State of the Climate for the UK Energy Sector is an annual report produced by the Royal Meteorological Society. This third instalment continues the Society’s work to document the effects of weather on the UK’s energy sector. View an Executive Summary and download the full report  21 October 2026 [...] Read more...
October 20, 2026Yellow severe weather warning issued for first named storm of season with gusts of up to 60mph expected The first named storm of the season, Austen, is expected to bring gusts of up to 60mph to southern areas of the UK at the end of the week, forecasters said. While there would be spells of rain and showers for many on Tuesday and Wednesday, by Thursday Storm Austen would be approaching the south-west of the UK, the Met Office said. Continue reading… [...] Read more...
October 15, 2026The ‘Great Fall’ of 1965 was caused by harsh conditions forcing migrating species to land on their way to Africa My birding mentor, the late Derek Moore, was also a keen cricketer. But one autumn day in 1965 he was unable to concentrate while fielding because many hundreds of songbirds were landing around him on the pitch at Lowestoft. The arrival of hundreds of thousands of birds along the Suffolk coast that day became known as the “Great Fall”, and it was caused by a weather system bringing cloud, winds and heavy rain. Continue reading… [...] Read more...
October 10, 2026With an extremely wet and windy winter forecast, take steps to keep you and your home safe and dry With the Met Office warning that this year’s supersized El Niño could mean a wet and stormy winter lies ahead, it’s never been more important to maintain your home. Payouts for storm damage to UK homes surged 32% to £244m in 2025 amid the destruction caused by the heavy rain and strong winds that accompanied the likes of Storm Éowyn and Storm Floris. Continue reading… [...] Read more...
September 30, 2026Environment Agency warns residents of 6m properties to prepare for a wet and windy three months ahead More than two million people in England are unaware their properties are at risk of flooding, as the UK braces for a wet and stormy start to the winter, according to the Environment Agency. Experts say the next three months are more likely than usual to be wet and windy – due to a combination of large-scale weather patterns and the “subtle” impact of a supercharged El Niño – increasing the risk of flooding. Continue reading… [...] Read more...
September 30, 2026Welcoming New RMetS President Emily Shuckburgh CBE nathan.reece@r… 30 September 2026 Please join us in welcoming Professor Emily Shuckburgh CBE as the new President of the Royal Meteorological Society.  Emily formally takes office on 1 October 2026.   President Emily Shuckburgh CBE was appointed the Chief Scientific Adviser for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) in November 2025. She is Professor of Environmental Data Science at the Department of Computer Science and Technology at the University of Cambridge. Emily, a mathematician and climate scientist and a Fellow of Darwin College, Cambridge, is also a Fellow of the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership, a Fellow of the British Antarctic Survey, a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society (FRGS), and an Honorary Fellow of the Energy Institute (HonFEI). At the University of Cambridge, she is Academic Director of the Institute of Computing for Climate Science, and co-Director of the Centre for Landscape Regeneration and of the UKRI Centre for Doctoral Training on the Application of AI to the study of Environmental Risks (AI4ER). She worked for more than a decade at the British Antarctic Survey where her work included leading a UK national research programme on the Southern Ocean and its role in climate. Prior to that she undertook research at École Normale Supérieure in Paris and at MIT. She is co-author, with HM King Charles III and Tony Juniper, of the ‘Ladybird Book on Climate Change’. Emily was awarded an OBE in 2016 and a CBE in 2025. Regarding her election, Emily Shuckburgh CBE said: “It is an honour to take on the role of President of the Royal Meteorological Society at a time when the impacts of extreme weather and climate change are increasingly being felt, and trusted science and expert advice have never been more important. “The Society helps to ensure world-leading weather and climate knowledge supports people to make informed decisions, strengthening resilience and contributing to a sustainable world where people and nature can flourish.” Departing President Brian Golding OBE As we welcome Emily to the Society, we would also like to take the opportunity to thank our departing President, Brian Golding OBE. Professor Liz Bentley, RMetS Chief Executive, said: “I would like to express my sincere thanks to our outgoing President, Brian Golding, for his leadership, commitment and contribution to the Society. Brian has been a tremendous advocate for our community and our mission, and we are enormously grateful for everything he has done during his presidency.” Brian Golding OBE said: “It has been a great honour to preside over the Royal Meteorological Society during this period in which the independent voice of the Society in weather and climate education, policy and professional standards is of greater importance than ever before. It has been an exciting time to be involved as the scope of the meteorological sector evolves and broadens, with a growing role for interdisciplinary science and rapid progress in the application of AI.” 1 October 2026 RMetS – General [...] Read more...
September 28, 2026RMetS and RAS join forces with ACCSN for Black History Month Aminat.Olasunk… 28 September 2026 The Royal Meteorological Society (RMetS) and the Royal Astronomical Society (RAS) are joining forces this Black History Month to strengthen collaboration and knowledge exchange around equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) across the science community. As part of this new partnership, RMetS and RAS have both signed up to support the Afro-Caribbean Commercial Science Network (ACCSN), an organisation dedicated to raising the black and ethnic representation in the commercial science industry. The partnership will begin with a joint social media campaign throughout October, highlighting opportunities and encouraging people from Black and ethnic communities to engage with science and the organisations and networks that support it. The campaign will also lay the foundations for events and other collaborative activities planned for 2027 and beyond. But why does representation in weather and climate science matter? Weather and climate affect everyone. From extreme rainfall and heatwaves to changing patterns of drought, flooding and food production, decisions about how society understands and responds to our changing atmosphere have consequences for every community. This means everyone should have a voice in the science that informs those decisions, as well as in discussions about how society manages their impacts. For RMetS, improving diversity and inclusion is therefore not simply about who works in meteorology or climate science. It is also about ensuring that the people contributing to research, developing services, communicating risk and shaping future responses reflect the breadth of the communities affected by weather and climate. Greater participation from people who have historically been underrepresented in science can bring different experiences, perspectives and questions to the field. It can also help ensure that the benefits of weather and climate science reach – and are relevant to – the widest possible range of people. Working with organisations such as the RAS and ACCSN provides an opportunity to build connections beyond the traditional boundaries of individual scientific disciplines and to learn from others who are working to improve representation in science. “Black History Month provides an important opportunity to reflect on who is represented within our scientific communities and whose voices are being heard,” said Ella Clarke, Head of Business Development at RMetS. “Weather and climate affect every part of society, so it is important that people from all backgrounds feel that there is a place for them in our community and that they can contribute to the conversations and decisions that shape our future.” Daniel Similaki, Founder of the Afro-Caribbean Commercial Science Network (ACCSN), said:“The ACCSN is delighted to welcome the Royal Astronomical Society and the Royal Meteorological Society as Bronze Sponsors. Both organisations are taking meaningful steps to strengthen diversity and inclusion, and their sponsorship of the ACCSN will help extend that commitment beyond their own organisations and across the wider astronomy, space, geophysics, weather and climate sectors they represent. Through this partnership, we will focus on community engagement, talent attraction and networking, creating opportunities to connect underrepresented talent with these sectors and their professional communities.” The partnership with RAS and ACCSN is an early step in a longer-term programme of collaboration. Through knowledge exchange, events and new opportunities for engagement, we hope to help create stronger connections between people and organisations across the science sector. Follow RMetS on LinkedIn throughout October to take part in the Black History Month campaign and find out more about the opportunities available through ACCSN and the wider scientific community. 5 October 2026 RMetS – General [...] Read more...
September 24, 2026The weather pattern is associated with extreme, stormy weather, but authorities predict a quiet year in one ocean at least ‘Supersizing before our eyes’: UN warns of record El Niño approaching One significant effect of the stronger El Niño is fewer hurricanes in the Atlantic. In the 30 years to 2020, on average the first hurricane arrived by 11 August, the second by 26 August and the third by 7 September. This year the total so far has been zero. At the start of the season, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicted a quiet year, anticipating between three and six hurricanes, well below the average of seven. The August forecast cut the expected number to between two and six. Until this year, the latest date for the first Atlantic hurricane was 11 September, in 2002 and 2013. Continue reading… [...] Read more...
September 23, 2026Back from university | Nick Clegg’s windfall | Ties at school | Daniel Thomas | Monty Don | Weather forecast Gaby Hinsliff talks about students boomeranging as a negative (Think it’s time for gen Z to ‘grow up’? You’re even more out of touch than the British state, 18 September). Our daughter came back to live with us after four years of university while she collected her thoughts and planned her next steps. This boomerang year was a rewarding experience that we all welcomed and wouldn’t have missed. Enjoy it!Steve BeioleyFrance Lynch, Gloucestershire • Maybe Nick Clegg should use his windfall to help all those he let down in 2010 after failing to try to abolish student loans (Nick Clegg could make £30m windfall from datacentre startup Nscale flotation, 22 September).David ShannonAshton under Hill, Worcestershire Continue reading… [...] Read more...
September 21, 2026The number of potentially damaging environmental incidents triggered by this year’s hot and dry weather has surpassed that of 2025 Wildlife in England and Wales will be affected by the current drought for years to come, the government has said. This summer saw large parts of England and all of Wales plunged into a serious drought, with both recording their driest Julys since records began in 1836. Continue reading… [...] Read more...
September 19, 2026Much of the UK is still in drought after its hottest summer on record, but grasslands are slowly recovering their colour The landscapes of southern England and Wales are slowly regaining their colour after this summer’s extreme heat. The UK’s hottest summer on record left the south of the country dried out and brown, making the impact of the drought particularly visual. Continue reading… [...] Read more...
September 15, 2026One of the biggest upheavals in a millennium is on its way, strengthened by the climate crisis. We need leaders who make things better not worse If you think you have heard enough about the growing “super” El Niño, trust me, you are going to hear a lot more. What is happening in the equatorial Pacific is jaw-dropping and could well mark one of the biggest global weather upheavals in a millennium. It will spawn a string of weather catastrophes around our world in what remains of this year and in 2027, and there is no reason to think the UK will be immune. To recap briefly, El Niño involves a heating of the central and eastern equatorial Pacific ocean. It happens every few years and is part of a natural cycle termed the El Niño southern oscillation, which switches between warm (El Niño) and cool (La Niña) phases. El Niños that see heating reach or exceed 2C are defined as “super” but this one, which is forecast to top-out at an astonishing 4C later this year, is so much bigger, the term “hyper” might be more appropriate. Bill McGuire is professor emeritus of geophysical and climate hazards at UCL. His latest book is The Fate of the World: A History and Future of the Climate Crisis Continue reading… [...] Read more...
September 13, 2026The complacency is staggering: just another hot summer, a flooded street, a crop failure. We are accepting this extraordinary deterioration as normal Recently, I overheard a conversation in a cafe where someone described their toast as “awesome”. I felt myself bristle. Not because the toast wasn’t good – I didn’t taste it – but because I remember a time when “awesome” meant something that inspired awe: towering mountains, the vastness of the night sky, the haunting song of a humpback whale. Now it’s being used to describe breakfast. “Fantastic” has met the same fate, shedding its fantastical origins to become a synonym for “great”. Meanwhile “literally” has been so thoroughly abused that it can now mean something that is, quite literally, not literal. Continue reading… [...] Read more...
September 11, 2026Margaret Squires responds to an article about the wartime meteorologist James Stagg, whose work is dramatised in a new film Is there any chance of getting a weather tsar in the model of Group Capt James Stagg, the wartime meteorologist, to adjudicate between weather forecasts (How meteorologists recreated weather that helped decide second world war, 8 September)? Suppose I were holidaying in Fort William this week and really wanted to climb Ben Nevis on Thursday. According to the BBC forecast on Wednesday, the worst I could expect would be light rain, and if this was coming up to the end of my holidays, I might go for it. I might not know about the Mountain Weather Information forecast or the Norwegian forecast, which would make it clear that I was in for a soaking.Margaret SquiresSt Andrews, Fife • Have an opinion on anything you’ve read in the Guardian today? Please email us your letter and it will be considered for publication in our letters section. Continue reading… [...] Read more...
September 10, 2026Health secretary says extreme demand no longer confined to winter as service in England warns of knock-on effects The NHS faced the “busiest summer in its history” as the UK experienced a series of heatwaves, health officials have said, while the waiting list for routine hospital treatment in England has risen to its highest level for nine months. The health secretary said “extreme demand” on the service was “no longer confined to winter” and NHS leaders warned that the service had “never gone into winter on the back of such a heavy summer”. Continue reading… [...] Read more...
September 10, 2026Artificial intelligence system delivers a three-day forecast as accurate as previous two-day predictions Google’s WeatherNext AI model is better than existing systems at forecasting cyclones, according to a paper published in Nature. The AI-based technology gives an extra day of warning, providing a three-day forecast for hurricanes or typhoons that is as accurate as previous two-day predictions. Continue reading… [...] Read more...
September 10, 2026Temperatures reached 1.65C above preindustrial levels, months before El Niño system reaches full strength August was the joint-hottest month ever recorded around the world, with global temperatures reaching 1.65C above preindustrial levels, scientists said on Thursday, amid warnings of further heating on the way. August 2026 tied with July 2023 for the hottest month ever recorded, according to the EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service. Sea surface temperatures also soared to their highest levels on record for August. 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