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05/08/2004
'Lives saved' through better Met Office forecasting
Property and lives are better protected than ever before from the effect of bad weather through improved forecasting, the Met Office has said today.
Publishing in its Annual Report and Accounts, the better forecasting methods mean that a three-day forecast of today is as good as a one-day forecast was 25 years ago – making it possible to give earlier advance warning of extreme weather.
The report goes on to outline advances in observing and data collection, computer forecasting and collaboration in international research.
A key factor in the improvement is the introduction of the Met Office's more powerful supercomputer, the NEC SX-6. The hi-tech hardware allows better use of more weather observations and ensemble forecasting, a technique that uses multiple computer predictions to help the Met Office to express the degree of confidence in a forecast.
Highlights of the Met Office's year included the accurate forecast of the heat wave in August, during which 30C was exceeded for 10 consecutive days. The office also provided accurate forecasting of the first-ever recorded cyclone in the South Atlantic that hit Brazil in March where early warnings helped to save lives.
John Mitchell, the Met Office Chief Scientist, said: "We are continuing to invest in, and make better use of, our science and technology and we are improving the way we communicate our forecasts and warnings. This investment demonstrates our commitment to provide the very best weather service, not only for the UK, but internationally as well."
(gmcg)
Publishing in its Annual Report and Accounts, the better forecasting methods mean that a three-day forecast of today is as good as a one-day forecast was 25 years ago – making it possible to give earlier advance warning of extreme weather.
The report goes on to outline advances in observing and data collection, computer forecasting and collaboration in international research.
A key factor in the improvement is the introduction of the Met Office's more powerful supercomputer, the NEC SX-6. The hi-tech hardware allows better use of more weather observations and ensemble forecasting, a technique that uses multiple computer predictions to help the Met Office to express the degree of confidence in a forecast.
Highlights of the Met Office's year included the accurate forecast of the heat wave in August, during which 30C was exceeded for 10 consecutive days. The office also provided accurate forecasting of the first-ever recorded cyclone in the South Atlantic that hit Brazil in March where early warnings helped to save lives.
John Mitchell, the Met Office Chief Scientist, said: "We are continuing to invest in, and make better use of, our science and technology and we are improving the way we communicate our forecasts and warnings. This investment demonstrates our commitment to provide the very best weather service, not only for the UK, but internationally as well."
(gmcg)
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24 August 2015
BBC Ends Met Office Forecasting Contract
The BBC has decided to end its weather forecasting contract with the Met Office. The weather forecast service has provided the data used by the BBC since its first weather bulletin in November 1922. The Met Office has said the decision is "disappointing", but that it would continue to work with the BBC.
BBC Ends Met Office Forecasting Contract
The BBC has decided to end its weather forecasting contract with the Met Office. The weather forecast service has provided the data used by the BBC since its first weather bulletin in November 1922. The Met Office has said the decision is "disappointing", but that it would continue to work with the BBC.
01 August 2011
150 Years Of Forecasting For The Nation
The Met Office is celebrating 150 years of forecasting for the nation as it marks the anniversary of the first ever weather forecast appearing in print. Starting with the lines "general weather probable in the next two days", the short piece which appeared in The Times in 1861 was a bold move which started forecasting as we know it today.
150 Years Of Forecasting For The Nation
The Met Office is celebrating 150 years of forecasting for the nation as it marks the anniversary of the first ever weather forecast appearing in print. Starting with the lines "general weather probable in the next two days", the short piece which appeared in The Times in 1861 was a bold move which started forecasting as we know it today.
01 June 2011
UK/US To Collaborate On 'Space Weather'
Prime Minister David Cameron and US President Barack Obama have welcomed the growing partnership between the Met Office and the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) National Weather Service in working toward the delivery of space weather alerts.
UK/US To Collaborate On 'Space Weather'
Prime Minister David Cameron and US President Barack Obama have welcomed the growing partnership between the Met Office and the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) National Weather Service in working toward the delivery of space weather alerts.
08 November 2010
Met Office 'Hail' Weather Breakthrough
Be it rain, hail or snow, a major breakthrough in forecasting the impact and number of Atlantic tropical storms has been achieved, said Met Office scientists today.
Met Office 'Hail' Weather Breakthrough
Be it rain, hail or snow, a major breakthrough in forecasting the impact and number of Atlantic tropical storms has been achieved, said Met Office scientists today.
16 June 2011
Met Office Team To Maximise Wind Energy
Met Office experts will be presenting new ways to maximise wind farm investment at wind energy conferences in Scotland this week in light of the volatility of wind resource over the last year. Weather patterns, and crucially wind speeds, underpin the success for this type renewable energy.
Met Office Team To Maximise Wind Energy
Met Office experts will be presenting new ways to maximise wind farm investment at wind energy conferences in Scotland this week in light of the volatility of wind resource over the last year. Weather patterns, and crucially wind speeds, underpin the success for this type renewable energy.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
