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This paper describes a new seamless blended multi‐model ensemble configuration of an existing probabilistic medium‐ to extended‐range weather pattern forecasting tool (called Decider) run operationally at the Met Office. In its initial configuration, the tool calculated and presented probabilistic weather pattern forecast information for five individual ensemble forecasting systems, which varied in terms of their number of ensemble members, horizontal resolution, update frequencies and forecast lead time. This resulted in multiple forecasts for the same validity time which varied in terms of forecast skill depending on the lead time in question. This presented challenges for end‐users (e.g., operational meteorologists) in terms of knowing which forecast output is best to use and at which lead time, as well as knowing what to do in situations where forecasts varied between ensembles. To get around these challenges, a new seamless blended multi‐model ensemble configuration has been implemented operationally, comprising of output from five separate ensembles, and provides a single best forecast from day one out to day 45. Objective verification for a set of eight weather pattern groups covering forecasts initialized over a 6‐year period (2017–2022) shows that the seamless blended multi‐model ensemble forecasts are at least as good as, if not better than the best performing individual model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT A huge change has occurred in the way people obtain weather information in the last few years and a large percentage of the population now get weather forecasts on their mobile phones. There is currently a wide range of smartphone weather apps available: in 2014, iTunes App Store alone offered 5043 active applications in the weather category. The rapid penetration of new broadcasting technologies strongly affects the way weather forecasts are communicated to, and used by, people. Portability, permanent connectivity and geolocalization allow location-specific and time-sensitive weather forecasts to be provided. This paper explores the main features emerging in the 39 most popular weather apps in the United States, United Kingdom and Italy, and focuses on the implications in the communication of uncertainty. The results show that even if the advances in mobile communication technologies could, in principle, improve the effectiveness of weather communication enormously, the expectations created around weather forecasts appear to be inconsistent with current forecasting capabilities, particularly with their inherent uncertainties in space and time, as well as in the nature of the predicted weather events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Against an academic and policy backdrop of interest in (and concerns about) the issue, this paper draws on a range of academic writing in various disciplines to explore visual strategies of climate change communication. The geographic scope of the investigation is the United Kingdom, with particular attention to recognizable icons of climate change in UK media and the images used in political campaigns. The paper is in two parts. The first part concentrates on various efforts to put a 'face' on the climate change issue, while part two suggests that weather and renewable energy are the dominant alternative motifs. The paper draws a basic distinction between fear-laden representations of climate change and a variety of visual efforts to use so-called inspirational imagery. All of the images reviewed suggest an affirmative answer to the question in the title, there are multiple efforts underway to move beyond polar bears and represent climate change in more creative and meaningful ways. The bigger question addressed is one raised already by photographers as well as academics, i.e. whether documentary photography (rather than particular types of images) is the more fundamental issue. The answer in the paper is that photographs are no different from other visual images in their capacity to draw attention to messages. The challenge is to use visuals creatively, in ways that prompt positive engagement with climate change without enhancing public disengagement and fatalism. Copyright © 2010 Royal Meteorological Society [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change impact assessments require detailed information regarding the impact of weather in the current climate. This study focuses on the road network, using UK Highways Agency Traffic Information System data and NIMROD precipitation radar data to determine the impact of precipitation on traffic speeds along the M1 and M6 corridors for use in future impact assessments. The results show that whilst precipitation does impact on traffic speeds, there is no universal significant single factor relationship between the two variables and only a small amount of variance in traffic speeds can be explained by the intensity of precipitation. However, a threshold appears to exist simply at 0 mm h−1 (i.e. precipitation/no precipitation). The significance of this threshold is tested in this paper, but it appears clear that a universal relationship between precipitation intensity and vehicle speeds is unlikely to exist and local conditions such as capacity and drainage are equally as important to take into account. Copyright © 2012 Royal Meteorological Society [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Weather forecasts on BBC radio and television are recognized as the bench mark by which all other weather broadcasts in the United Kingdom are judged. Having spent many years at the BBC Weather Centre, as forecaster and senior meteorologist, the author reflects on the development of television weather forecasts on the national, licence fee funded, broadcaster in the United Kingdom. The period referred to in the paper saw technology evolve rapidly with television weather graphics at the forefront of the technological revolution. Changes in the recruitment and training of forecasters over time are discussed, giving an insight into the behind the scenes evolution of the workings of television and radio weather broadcasts. Copyright © 2010 Royal Meteorological Society [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]