Event Programme

The inaugural RMetS Annual Weather and Climate Conference brings together the UK weather and climate community to showcase cutting-edge science. Taking place across 2.5 days, the event offers an extensive look at novel approaches, methodologies, and exciting applications within weather and climate science. Find out more below.

Day 1, Monday 8 July 2024

The first day of the conference will officially start at 13.00 but lunch and registration will start from 12.00. The day will finish with a networking drinks reception and poster session.

TIME
12.00	Registration and Lunch
13.00	Opening of the Conference and Welcome Room: G10 Prof Liz Bentley, CEO, Royal Meteorological Society
13.10	Keynote Presentation: The Role of Weather and Climate in Achieving a Sustainable Future Prof David Griggs, President, Royal Meteorological Society
13.40	Climate in the Curriculum: Launch of a report by the National Climate Education Action Plan group Andrew Charlton-Perez, University of Reading and Prof Liz Bentley, Royal Meteorological Society
14.00	Move into Parallel Sessions
	High Impact Weather Room: G10	Aerosols Room: Palmer 1.02	Applications Room: Palmer 1.09
	Chair: Dr Matthew Priestley	Chair:	Chair: Prof David Griggs
14.10	Warnings of Intense Convective Rainfall in the UK Brian Golding (he/him), Senior Fellow in Weather Impacts, Met Office	Cold Fog Amongst Complex Terrain Zhaoxia Pu (she/her), Professor, Department of Atmospheric Sciences, University of Utah	Development of Probabilistic Forecasts of Cumulonimbus Clouds for the Aviation Industry Andrew Creswick (he/him), Aviation Applications Scientist, Met Office
14.25	A Study of the 23 October 2022 Southern England Damaging MCS Kenneth Pryor (he/his), Research Meteorologist, U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Center for Satellite Applications and Research (STAR)	Factors Influencing Contrail Observability in Satellite Images Oliver Driver (he/him), PhD Student, Imperial College London	Bridging the Gap Between Weather and Climate: A Surface Transport Case Study Alice Lake (she/her), Post-processing & Applied Climate Scientist, Met Office
14.40	Storm Babet: A multi-method assessment Vikki Thompson (she/her), Scientist, Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI)	Interactions between Aerosols and Vegetation: Analysing Trends of Vapour Pressure Deficit Karen Helliesen (she/her), Student, School of Geosciences, The University of Edinburgh	Evaluation of UK ERA5 Sea Surface Temperature for Extreme Value Analysis Wilhelm Hodder PhD (he/him), Natural Hazards Research Engineer, EDF Energy R&D UK Centre
14.55	A Simple Loss Model for European Windstorms Dhirendra Kumar (he/him), Research Scientist, NCAS, University of Reading	Exploring the Role of Interactive Methane in Earth System Models for Climate Projections Fiona O'Connor (she/her), Science Fellow & Senior Lecturer, Met Office Hadley Centre & University of Exeter	North Atlantic Atmospheric Circulation and Jet Stream Variability: Links with summer and winter temperature and precipitation in north-west Europe and the UK, and a new seasonal forecasting method Dr Ian Simpson (he/him), Post-Doctoral Research Associate in Antarctic Extreme Weather, University of Lincoln
15.10	Evidence of a Recent Decrease in Wintertime Nordic Seas Storminess Ben Harvey (he/him), Research Scientist, National Centre for Atmospheric Science/ University of Reading	Observations of Weak Liquid Water Path Response to Aerosols in Ship Tracks Anna Tippett (she/her), PhD Student, Imperial College London	Can we Now Predict Global Flash Floods up to Medium-Ranges? Fatima Pillosu (she/her), PhD Student, University of Reading and Visiting Scientist, ECMWF
15.20		Excess Warming in Europe during Recent Decades: Drivers and physical processes Buwen Dong (he/him), Principal Research Fellow, National Centre for Atmospheric Science, University of Reading	An Evaluation of African Atmospheric Aerosol, Precipitation, and PM2.5 in CMIP6 Catherine Toolan, PhD Student, University of Reading
15.35	Refreshments and Networking Break
	Room: G10 and Group Working Rooms 1.06/1.07		Room: Palmer 1.02
16.15	Workshop 1: Big Research Questions in Weather and Climate Science Andy Russell, Queen Mary University London, David Stephenson, University of Exeter, Rowan Sutton, University of Reading, NCAS		Workshop 2: How can Climate and Weather Data Help with Realistic Impact Modelling Jennifer Israelsson, UK Health Security Agency Dr Katie Jenkins, Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research Michael Sanderson, Met Office
	What does the future of weather and climate research look like in the UK and Europe? From recent funding calls and the nature of the issues that face us, it seems clear that disciplinary boundaries need to be crossed and large teams are required to tackle big question. But what are these questions and how do we build successful interdisciplinary research proposals and teams? We will consider this problem in this workshop session by hearing from some examples of successful interdisciplinary research projects and working as a group to brainstorm new ideas and approaches.		How do we go from hazards data to societal impacts that we can plan adaptation measures for, and how do we incorporate changes in society into our impact and risk models to achieve more realistic projections? Can this be done without risking amplifying model uncertainties and where is more research needed now to address these questions? Join our interactive session where we will explore these questions together with our invited speakers followed by roundtable discussions.
17.45	Poster Presentation Session
19.00	Networking Drinks Reception
20.00	Close of Day 1

Day 2, Tuesday 9 July 2024

TIME
08.00	Breakfast Workshop. An informal breakfast interactive session: Unravelling Peer Review together with two Journal Editors in Chief Room: Palmer 1.06
	An opportunity for delegates to ask questions to Editors in Chief of Meteorological Applications and Atmospheric Science Letters and help us shape resources and support systems to advance your own peer review experience. Cristina Charlton-Perez (Meteorological Applications) and Christopher O'Reilly (Atmospheric Science Letters) and Alison Brown, RMetS
09.00	Conference Welcome and Introductions Room: G10
09.10	Move into Parallel Oral Sessions
	Extremes Room: G10	Mesoscale Room: Palmer 1.02	Subseasonal to Seasonal Room: Palmer 1.09
	Chair: Prof Liz Bentley	Chair: Prof Brian Golding	Chair: Prof Amanda Maycock
09.15	Co-occurring British Flood-Wind Events (1980-2080) and Potential Large-Scale Drivers John Hillier (he/him), Reader in Natural Hazard Risk, Loughborough University	The Role of Diabatic Processes in the Low-Level Dynamics of Arctic Summer Cyclones: Insights from field campaign data and model simulations Ambrogio Volonté, Senior Research Fellow, University of Reading/NCAS	Improved Subseasonal Prediction of South Asian Monsoon Rainfall using Data-Driven Forecasts of Oscillatory Modes Eviatar Bach, Lecturer in Mathematics of Environmental Data Science, University of Reading
09.30	Increasing Awareness and Preparedness for Extreme Fire Weather and Behaviour Georgios Papavasileiou (he/him), Postdoctoral Researcher, Institute for Environmental Research & Sustainable Development, National Observatory of Athens	Climatology of Upper-Tropospheric / Lower Stratospheric Turbulence from Aircraft Measurements of Eddy Dissipation Rate Thorsten Kaluza (he/him), Postdoctoral Researcher, Department of Meteorology, University of Reading	The Upper Stratosphere: Is it time to pay attention? Lizzie Collingwood (she/her), PhD Student, British Antarctic Survey, University of Southampton, Met Office
09.45	Divergent Trends in Meteorological and Agricultural Drought over the 21st Century Emily Black, Professor of Terrestrial Processes and Climate, University of Reading and the National Centre for Atmospheric Science	Assessing the Costs and Benefits of Global and Very Large Domain Convection Permitting NWP Models Richard W Jones (he/him), Senior Scientist, Met Office	The ECMWF SEAS5 Seasonal Forecast of the Hot and Dry European Summer of 2022 Matt Patterson (he/him), Postdoctoral Research Assistant, University of Reading
10.00	Mediterranean Wildfires and its Association with Compound Droughts, Atmospheric Heatwaves and Adjacent Marine Heatwaves Raquel Santos (she/her), Research Fellow, Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere	Evaluating the Characteristics of Trapped Lee Waves in a High-Resolution Forecast Model using Satellite Imagery Hette Houtman (he/him), PhD Student, Department of Meteorology, University of Reading	Signal-to-Noise Errors in Early Winter Euro-Atlantic Predictions Caused by Weak ENSO Teleconnections and Pervasive North Atlantic Jet Biases Christopher H. O'Reilly (he/him), Royal Society University Research Fellow, University of Reading
10.15	Heat Stress Calculations within Urban Street Canyons Using Weather and Climate Model Variables Jon Shonk (he/him), Senior Scientist, Met Office	A Global Climatology of Sting Jet Cyclones Suzanne Gray (she/her), Professor of Meteorology, University of Reading	Diversity of Stratospheric Error Growth across Subseasonal Prediction Systems Robert W. Lee (he/him), Research Scientist, University of Reading
10.30		Dependence of Across-Jet Latent Heating on Spatio-Temporal Filtering Henrik Auestad, PhD Student, University of Oxford	Understanding the Predictability of the Winter North Atlantic Oscillation using Dynamical Seasonal Forecast Models and Machine Learning Techniques Laura Baker, Senior Research Scientist, University of Reading/ NCAS
10.45	Networking Refreshment Break
	Room: Palmer 1.09	Room: Palmer 1.02	Room: G10
11.30	Workshop 4: AI and Machine Learning Dr Isla Finney, Lake Street Consulting Ltd Gabriel Moldovan, ECMWF, Joey Smith, University of Leeds, Theo McCaie, Met Office	Workshop 5: Science with Impact Prof Amanda Maycock, University of Leeds, Tamsin Edwards, King's College London, Ayesha Tandon, Carbon Brief Dr Matt Priestley, University of Exeter Prof Emily Black, NCAS/Reading	Workshop 6: Extreme Event Attribution: Has it succussed in its remit? Prof Dann Mitchell, University of Bristol Prof Myles Allen, University of Oxford, Dr Eunice Lo, University of Bristol, Dr Miriam Zachariah, The Grantham Institute for Climate Change - Faculty of Natural Sciences
	AI and Machine Learning is a new and rapidly developing branch of weather and climate forecasting. This session aims to balance being accessible without prior knowledge, and enabling meaningful discussion about how AI/ML evolves. An overview talk framed around ECMWF’s AI progress to date and future plans will set the scene. Our second talk is about a practical application of AI, demonstrating some of its strengths. The panel will discuss expectations and challenges as AI/ML evolves, including what opportunities exist for AI/ML and physics to work together to tackle forecasting in a changing climate. And last, but definitely not least, the floor will be open to audience questions.	It is increasingly important to consider and be able to evidence the impact of scientific research. But who are we trying to impact and in what ways? Does a focus on research impact mean moving away from fundamental research? We will be joined by a panel with diverse experience of communicating and translating research to discuss these questions and engage the audience to consider the impact of their own work.	Extreme event attribution was developed around 20 years ago, as a way of determining how anthropogenic climate change may have altered the characteristics of various observed extreme weather events. This type of attribution science has always had a number of potential uses, from fundamental science advances, to increasing the evidence base for climate action, to science communication, to use in a legal setting to indicate societal impacts. In this session we explore the state of art in these topics, and whether or not extreme attribution has achieved it’s aims. We will have three talks from experts in these areas; Myles Allen, Miriam Zachariah, and Eunice Lo, followed by an interactive panel discussion with questions from the chair and audience.
13.00	Lunch
14.15	Keynote Presentation: AI for the Future of Weather Forecasting Prof Penny Endersby, Chief Executive, Met Office
14.45	Keynote Presentation: AI in predicting long-term sea level rise Prof Tamsin Edwards, Professor in Climate Change, King's College London
15.15	Refreshments and Networking
	Climate Services Room: G10	Modelling and Observations Room: Palmer 1.09	Convection Room: Palmer 1.02
	Chair: Prof David Brayshaw	Chair: Tim Banyard	Chair: Bria Grange
16.00	A Climate Resilient Electric Power Grid is both Imperative and Possible: Preliminary Evidence from the British Onshore Wind Energy System Kevin F. Forbes PhD (he/him), Founder, Energy and Environmental Data Science	Precipitation in the Arctic and Southern Ocean: New insights from aircraft and ship-borne measurements Larry Ger Aragon (he/him), Joint PhD Student, University of Melbourne, University of Manchester	What Influences the Maintenance of Convection Across the English Channel? David L.A Flack (he/him), Scientist, Met Office, Exeter
16.15	A Prototype Tool to Generate Meteorological Ensembles from Climate Scenarios Nicholas G. Heavens (he/him), Climate Modeller, CGG	Long-term Evaluation of Turbulence Parameterisations using Doppler Lidar Dr Natalie Harvey, (she/her), Senior Research Scientist, University of Reading	The Wessex Convection Experiment (WesCon) Humphrey Lean (he/him), Manager, Urban-Scale Modelling Research, Met Office
16.30	Climate Services for Finance, Lessons Learned and Feedback from the Private Sector Sally Woodhouse (she/her), Climate Scientist, Climate X	Investigating Observations of Upper Tropospheric Humidity Thea Stevens (she/her), PhD Student, University of Reading	How Does the Lifetime of Detrained Cirrus from Deep Convection Impact the Cloud Radiative Effect of the Tropics? George Horner (he/him), PhD Student, Department of Physics, Imperial College London
16.45	Decadal Predictability of Surface Variables over Europe and Relevance for the Energy Sector Ben Hutchins (he/him), PhD Student, University of Reading, Department of Meteorology	Studying the Influence of projected Arctic sea-ice loss under 2°C global warming with very large-ensemble climate simulations Kunhui Ye (he/him), Marie Curie Fellow, Department of Physics, The University of Oxford	How Long Would it Take to Remove all of an Extratropical Cyclone's Initial Moisture via Precipitation? Professor Helen Dacre (she/her), Professor, University of Reading
17.00	Forced Changes and Internal Variability in Projections of European Storminess Matthew Priestley (he/him), Research Fellow, University of Exeter	Causes of Large Climate Model Spread in Equatorial Pacific Cloud Feedback Peter Hill (he/him), Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Reading	Intense Tropical Cyclones; How are they Represented in a Future Climate? Exploring tropical cyclones in the South-West Indian Ocean with km-scale climate simulations Joshua Macholl (he/him), High Resolution Climate Modelling Scientist, Met Office and University of Reading
17.15	Co-Developing a Climate-Driven Meningitis Early Warning System for Africa Linda Hirons (she/her), Senior Research Scientist, NCAS (National Centre for Atmospheric Science), University of Reading	Embedding Machine-Learnt Sub-Grid Variability Improves Climate Model Biases James Briant, PhD Student, Department of Statistical Science, UCL	The Role of Midlatitude Dry Air During the Withdrawal of the Indian Summer Monsoon Dr Akshay Deoras (he/him), Research Scientist, National Centre for Atmospheric Science and the Department of Meteorology, University of Reading
17.30	Conference BBQ and Drinks in the Palmers Building

19.30	Close of Day 2

Day 3, Wednesday 10 July 2024

TIME
09.00	Conference Welcome Day 3 Room: G10
09.05	Royal Meteorological Society Mason Gold Medal Lecture Forecasting Summer Thunderstorms Brian Golding (he/him), Senior Fellow in Weather Impacts, Met Office
09.55	Keynote Presentation: Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion: Is it relevant to weather and climate science? Regan Mudhar (they/them), PhD Researcher, University of Exeter
10.15	Poster Presentation Session
10.45	Refreshments available
	Room: Palmer 1.02	Room: Palmer 1.05	Room: G10
11.30	Workshop 7: What’s Climate Change doing to our Weather? Prof Hayley Fowler, Newcastle University Prof Tim Woollings, University of Oxford Prof Paul Davies, Met Office Robert Varley, Vice President, RMetS	Workshop 8: Rethinking Extreme Weather for Energy Systems of the Future Prof David Brayshaw (University of Reading) Dr Hannah Bloomfield (University of Newcastle) Dr Paula Gonzalez (Met Office) Dr Hazel Thornton (Met Office) Ben Hutchins (University of Reading) Matthew Wright (University of Oxford) Will Hodder (EDF) Rebecca Knight (National Grid ESO) Ben Sloman (National Grid ESO)	Workshop 9: Panel Discussion: Climate Change Adaptation - How can we support decision-making at the local scale? Emma Dyer, Met Office Dr Erik Mackie, Cambridge Zero Dr Beena Balan Sarojini, University of Oxford Prof Jason Lowe, Met Office Jamie Fountain, East of England Ambulance, Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Local Resilience Forum Jiashu Zhu, University of Cambridge
	Recent UK rainfall and temperature extremes have raised concerns that our climate may be showing a greater incidence of ‘static’ circulation patterns, leading to extended periods of similar weather type. Decision-makers are asking whether global heating has changed these weather patterns, leading to more frequent extremes. This workshop will open up the conversation and stimulate new research, drawing on the diverse perspectives of attendees. What is the science telling us? What questions remain to be answered? Does this topic deserve greater attention? What more should be done to inform risk planning and provide reliable advice to decision-makers?	Energy systems around the world are undergoing rapid and far-reaching change. From the growing use of weather-sensitive renewables and changes in demand patterns to the increasing exposure of key infrastructure assets, the need for meteorological information to manage weather and climate risk has never been greater. No-where is this more obvious than in being able to accurately characterising ‘extreme weather’ events. Through hands-on ‘case study’ activities, this workshop will discuss some of the scientific challenges associated with producing high-quality actionable climate information for energy system operations and planning. Working with others from both the energy- and climate- communities, participants will rethink new ways to address these challenges using research emerging from the meteorological community, asking the question: how can meteorological science better support the transition to a low-carbon energy future?	What information do decision-makers need to adapt to climate change at the local level? Are lessons being learnt from previous extreme events? Can information at the seasonal to decadal scale be used to support adaptation decision-making? Join us to hear from panellists from the University of Cambridge, the University of Oxford, the Met Office and Cambridge and Peterborough Local Resilience Forum.
13.00	Lunch and Networking
	Final Plenary Oral Session
14.15	The UK Climate Science Partnership (UKNCSP): Progress and Plans Prof Catherine Senior, Principal Fellow Path to High Resolution, Met Office Hadley Centre
14.30	State of the UK Climate 2023 Mike Kendon, Climate Information Scientist, Met Office, National Climate Information Centre (NCIC)
14.45	Using High Resolution Climate Models to Understand Weather-Driven Stress to the UK Power System Dr Hannah Bloomfield (she/her), Research Fellow, Newcastle University
15.00	TORRO Damage Site Investigation Following the Jersey Tornado of 1 – 2 November 2023 during Storm Ciarán Sarah Horton (she/her), TORRO Volunteer Site Investigator, Tornado and Storm Research Organisation (TORRO)
15.15	AI Weather Forecasts from an Operational Forecasting Perspective Dr Isla Finney (she/her), Director, Lake Street Consulting Ltd
15.30	Panel Discussion
15.55	Conference Conclusions
16.00	Close of Conference

*Please note this programme is subject to change