Met Office - Podcasts

How do you make millions of data points understandable in a single glance? Discover the art and science behind climate data visualisation. From the iconic warming stripes to the frontiers of visual climate communication. Featuring Prof Ed Hawkins (creator of the warming stripes) and Met Office Senior Scientist Neil Kaye.

With our changing climate we have already seen an increase in impacts from heavy and intense rainfall in the UK. As we go forwards it is essential to understand what the future looks like and what steps are needed to help mitigate the changes. Alex Burkill speaks with Dr Will Lang - Met Office Chief Meteorologist, to find out how the changing climate is altering rainfall patterns across the UK and what the expected impacts are.

The UK is undergoing an energy revolution with renewable sources making an increasingly greater contribution.The National Energy System Operator (NESO) is tasked with coordinating and planning the UK’s current and future energy systems. Following the announcement of a new partnership between NESO and the Met Office, Clare Nasir hears how Met Office weather and climate expertise will help shape our future energy provision. https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-ushttps://www.neso.energy

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.

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.