Why Storm Ciarán's winds were so strong

Storm Ciarán unleashed extremely strong and destructive winds in parts of the southern UK and northern France – here’s why.

Ambrogio Volonté, Senior Research Fellow, University of Reading • conversation
Nov. 3, 2023 • ~6 min

Royal Charter storm of 1859: how an almighty tempest led to the birth of the UK's shipping forecast

More than 800 lives were lost in the Royal Charter storm but it also led to improvements in weather forecasting.

Cerys Jones, Geography Lecturer, Aberystwyth University • conversation
Oct. 24, 2023 • ~6 min

Tornadoes in the UK are surprisingly common and no one knows why

Britain doesn’t have huge violent twisters like the US. But it does have lots of little tornadoes.

David Schultz, Professor of Synoptic Meteorology, University of Manchester • conversation
Oct. 16, 2023 • ~6 min

Why beaver-like dams can protect communities from flooding – new research

A new study shows that river barriers, similar to those built by beavers, can protect areas at risk of flooding by storing water upstream.

Valentine Muhawenimana, Postdoctoral Research Associate in Environmental Engineering, Cardiff University • conversation
Aug. 21, 2023 • ~7 min

Historic flooding in Fort Lauderdale was a sign of things to come – a look at who is most at risk and how to prepare

Nationally, 57% of the population says they’re not prepared for a flood disaster. Surveys and disasters show that those most at risk are least prepared.

Smitha Rao, Assistant Professor of Social Work, The Ohio State University • conversation
April 27, 2023 • ~7 min

Can rainbows form in a circle? Fun facts on the physics of rainbows

Each rainbow is personal – the rainbow you see isn’t exactly the same rainbow the next person sees. It’s all in the eye of the beholder.

Partha Chowdhury, Professor of Physics, UMass Lowell • conversation
April 24, 2023 • ~6 min

Why tornadoes are still hard to forecast – even though storm predictions are improving

Researchers are turning to computer models, drones and other methods to improve tornado forecasting.

Chris Nowotarski, Associate Professor of Atmospheric Science, Texas A&M University • conversation
March 28, 2023 • ~8 min

Why the UK has only had one named storm so far this winter – an expert explains

An expert explains why the UK’s winter has been relatively calm.

Len Shaffrey, Professor of Climate Science, National Centre for Atmospheric Science, University of Reading • conversation
Feb. 23, 2023 • ~6 min

England may be set to flood at the end of winter – here's why

The Met Office has predicted that England is to be affected by flooding this February.

Jonathan Paul, Lecturer (Assistant Professor) in Earth Science, Royal Holloway University of London • conversation
Jan. 10, 2023 • ~8 min

Hurricane Ian flooded a hospital and forced evacuations from dozens of nursing homes – many health facilities face rising risks from severe storms

Coastal hospitals are still at high risk, nearly two decades after Hurricane Katrina’s flood disaster at Memorial Medical Center shocked the world.

Brett Robertson, Assistant Professor of Communication, University of South Carolina • conversation
Sept. 30, 2022 • ~7 min

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