Extreme weather is outpacing even the worst-case scenarios of our forecasting models

A deadly hurricane developed in just 12 hours.

Ravindra Jayaratne, Reader in Coastal Engineering, University of East London • conversation
Oct. 30, 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


Weather forecast accuracy is crucial in a heat wave – 1 degree can mean the difference between life and death

Three economists looked at years of temperature and death data and calculated the costs when forecasts miss the mark.

Laura Bakkensen, Associate Professor of Economics and Policy, University of Arizona • conversation
July 13, 2023 ~7 min

El Niño could push global warming past 1.5℃ – but what is it and how does it affect the weather in Europe?

An El Niño weather-warming phase is underway in the Pacific – but what does this mean for the weather in Europe?

Manoj Joshi, Professor of Climate Dynamics, University of East Anglia • conversation
June 29, 2023 ~7 min

Aviation turbulence soared by up to 55% as the world warmed -- new research

Turbulence strong enough to pose an injury risk could be set to double or triple in frequency in the future.

Mark Prosser, PhD Student in the Department of Meteorology, University of Reading • conversation
June 14, 2023 ~7 min

Farmers face a soaring risk of flash droughts in every major food-growing region in coming decades, new research shows

If greenhouse gas emissions continue at a high rate, breadbaskets of Europe and North America will see a 50% chance of a flash drought each year by the end of this century.

Jordan Christian, Postdoctoral Researcher in Meteorology, University of Oklahoma • conversation
May 25, 2023 ~8 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

Scientists are using machine learning to forecast bird migration and identify birds in flight by their calls

Machine learning may not seem to have much connection with wildlife, but it’s starting to play a central role in bird conservation.

Miguel Jimenez, Ph.D. student in Ecology, Colorado State University • conversation
March 23, 2023 ~9 min


What is a flash drought? An earth scientist explains

Flash droughts can develop within a few weeks, causing water shortages, damaging crops and worsening fire risks.

Antonia Hadjimichael, Assistant Professor of Geosciences, Penn State • conversation
Nov. 10, 2022 ~6 min

Climate change is making rain difficult to predict – we trained an AI to help tropical countries adapt

High humidity, terrain and wind make rain forecasting particularly tricky in the tropics.

David Ndzi, Head of Computing, University of the West of Scotland • conversation
Sept. 20, 2022 ~6 min

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