Met Office - Podcasts

• Arctic Sea Ice & UK Winter Weather | Climate Conversations

  Could melting Arctic ice be reshaping British and Irish winters?The Arctic just hit its lowest winter sea ice maximum on record - and as a region is warming faster than many other parts of the world. New groundbreaking research reveals a climate "tug-of-war" between Arctic ice loss and ocean warming that could fundamentally alter our winter weather patterns.In this episode of Climate Conversations, Clare Nasir introduces a fascinating deep dive into how rapid Arctic changes ripple thousands of miles south to affect our weather. Alex Burkill speaks with two leading climate scientists about why the Arctic is warming three times faster than the global average, and what this means for future weather patterns across the UK and Ireland. MEET THE EXPERTS:Dr Ed Blockley - Met Office Arctic Sea Ice Expert Ed explains the mechanisms linking rapid Arctic warming to mid-latitude weather patterns and the critical role of temperature gradients in driving the jet stream.Dr Steph Hay - University of Exeter, Lead Author Steph reveals surprising findings from her groundbreaking paper on Arctic sea ice impacts specifically on the British Isles—the first study to focus on our region in such detail.

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• Award-winning author Sophie Pavelle explores climate and nature - Climate Conversations

  The impact our changing climate has on nature is complex. Whilst some species have thrived, many others have struggled, and it is therefore essential to understand developments in order to reduce the rate of species loss. Alex Burkill caught up with Sophie Pavelle, an award-winning author and science communicator. In Sophie’s first book, Forget Me Not, she goes on a low-carbon journey around Britain in search of ten animals and habitats threatened by climate change in the 21st century. Sophie’s second book is a thrilling exploration of nature's symbiotic relationships, some comforting and familiar, others wildly alien.

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• Has Climate Change influenced UK storms? Climate Conversations Shorts

  The new list of storm names for the 2025/26 storm season has been announced. But is climate change influencing storms in the UK? Clare Nasir is joined by Met Office Climate Scientist Dr Mark McCarthy to find out more.

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• Communicating about the future - Climate Conversations

  Communicating information about our climate and how its changing has always been a difficult task; whether it’s providing the latest facts and figures or information on new initiatives and projects happening to help adapt to the future. Earlier this summer the university of Exeter and the Met Office hosted a climate forum, and climate communication was one of the key topics. Alex Burkill went along to find out more and catch up with many of those speaking and attending the event.https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us...

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• Record Summer Temperatures - Climate Conversations

  After 40 Celsius was recorded in the UK for the first time in 2022, a report looking into the increasing chances of this happening again has been published. Clare Nasir takes us through the impacts of the extreme heat and then Alex Burkill catches up with the author of the report, Dr Gillian Kay, to discuss the importance of these findings.Check out the report's press release here:https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/news-and-media/media-centre/weather-and-climate-news/2025/met-office-report-details-rising-likelihood-of-uk-hot-days

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