Greg Clark, Minister of University, Science and Cities, is opening the UK's only dedicated space weather forecast centre today.
The centre is a key milestone in the protection of the UK economy and infrastructure from the real threat of severe space weather events.
The Met Office Space Weather Centre, based at the Met Office's headquarters in Exeter, is the culmination of more than three years work to combine the space weather resources and scientific expertise of the UK and USA and was made possible by £4.6 million funding from Government.
A study published in Nature Geoscience today shows that air pollution has had a significant impact on the amount of water flowing through many rivers in the northern hemisphere.
The paper shows how such pollution, known as aerosols, can have an impact on the natural environment and highlights the importance of considering these factors in assessments of future climate change.
The research resulted from a collaboration between scientists at the Met Office, Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, University of Reading, Laboratoire de Météorologie Dynamique in France, and the...
Early Met Office figures show this is set to be the driest September across the UK since records began in 1910, with exceptionally low rainfall for many parts of the country.
It is also likely to finish in the top five warmest, with UK mean temperatures significantly above the monthly average.
Using figures from 1-28 September, the UK as a whole has received 19.4 mm of rain, which is just 20 % of the normal amount of rainfall we'd expect for the month. Prior to this, the driest September on record was 1959 with 23.8mm.
The Met Office, in conjunction with Public Health England (South West), have produced a series of species specific pollen maps for the south west of the UK.
The maps show the locations of six different tree and plant species - grass, alder, ash, birch, oak and pine - key allergenic plants for asthma and hay fever.
Different types of pollen are released from different plants and trees throughout the year generating hayfever and other allergies. These symptoms affect around 20% of the population and can have a serious impact on their well-being.
A rainstorm in the Atlantic that was once Hurricane Bertha has prompted the Met Office to release a severe weather warning for Sunday.
Despite reports that the storm would ravage the South of England, Bertha has been downgrading in severity since it left the Bahamas, becoming a ‘tropical storm’, and then an ‘Atlantic storm’. By the time it reaches the South West, if indeed it does, it is likely to be just another wet and windy Sunday. However, there is a chance that the rain will be heavy and accompanied by strong winds, bringing a chance of flooding. The Met Office’s warning shows...
The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for heavy rain across Devon tonight.
The warning is in place from 10pm until 7am tomorrow.
Heavy rain is expected to spread from the South West during this evening, affecting many areas overnight before clearing early on Wednesday morning. There could be localised surface water flooding.
Chief forecaster at the Met Office said: “A frontal system containing warm, humid air is expected to bring heavy rain to Cornwall and Devon later on Tuesday evening, before spreading to parts of South Wales, the West Country and...
It was only a few months ago that severe bad weather caused havoc in the South West. Today's heavy rain has resulted in flooding in certain areas of Devon, with the Met Office predicting more bad weather to come.
Firefighters were called to Kenton earlier today after the weather caused flooding inside a commericial property. Crews helped to remove the water to ensure it didn't come into contact with electricity.
The heavy rain fall has also resulted in travel disruption on the A381 Devon. The Western By-Pass is flooded in both directions between the Plymouth Road junction...
The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for heavy downpours and thunderstorms across Devon this weekend.
The warning is in place until 9pm tomorrow (Saturday).
Showers will be become heavy and thundery across southwestern parts of England and Wales early on Friday, moving northeast during the day. Some reduction in activity is expected overnight, before further slow moving heavy and thundery downpours develop during Saturday, easing from the north later.
Forecasters have warned that the downpours may lead to localised flooding and potential disruption to...
If you've been casting off your clothes to enjoy the wall to wall sunshine and scorching temperatures over the past week, you may want to revisit your wardrobe.
For the forecast published by the Met Office up until Saturday shows a change is on the way.
Whilst the beginning of the week saw temperatures of up to 24C, by the weekend we will be dodging heavy showers and even possible thunder storms.
The Met Office says today (Wednesday) will be the turning point. Although the weather is still forecast to be dry with sunny spells, a drop in temperature is expected....
The Met Office has joined forces with a number of partner to offer hints and tips on making the most of the British summer - whatever the weather.
Their service allows everyone to discover useful tips and information to make the most of the summer months, whatever the weather... click here: http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/get-ready-for-summer
Developed with a range of partners such as the RNLI, Cancer Research, VisitEngland and VisitScotland, the pages allow people to use our weather forecasts and warnings to help them plan their day and make the most of all the UK has to offer...
