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.
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.
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...
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
With the cost of food going up, we take a look at how our changing climate is impacting the ability to produce certain food types. As well as discussing the ongoing concerns we look at ways we can adapt to the changes and how we can reduce the impacts. Clare Nasir goes through some of the developments whilst Alex Burkill catches up with Thomas Crocker, Science Manager for the Met Office Climate Security Team to learn how the work we do is helping organisations prepare for the future.
In this month’s Climate Conversations we are talking aboutsustainable fashion. Attitudes are changing towards clothing that we buy with increasing numbers choosing second hand clothing items made with more sustainable methods. Clare Nasir goes through some of the developments whilst Alex Burkill catches up with Professor Tamara Galloway from the University of Exeter to discuss her work to help reduce the fashion industry’s impact on the climate.
In this month’s Climate Conversations we are talking about renewable energy, specifically in the UK. Huge improvements have been made to our green energy output and Clare Nasir takes us through some of the important figures and promising developments. Alex Burkill then catches up with Philip Hodge, Senior Account Manager for Energy here at the Met Office, to discuss how the work we do benefits the industry as it continues to grow.
In this month’s Climate Conversations we are talking Carbon Dioxide . Clare Nasir talks us through some key developments then Alex Burkill talks to Professor Richard Betts, from the university of Exeter but also Head of Climate Impacts Research at the Met Office, to find out about his recent work looking at CO2 levels.~ #climate #climatechange #metoffice #climateconversations
In this month’s Climate Conversations we take a look at the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals. The 17 SDGs are an urgent call for action by all countries - developed and developing - in a global partnership. They recognize that ending poverty and other deprivations must go hand-in-hand with strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth – all while tackling climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forests. Clare Nasir explains the importance of the SDGs whilst Alex Burkill delves into how the work here at the Met Office works towards them, heaving from a number of experts. To find out more about Sustainable Development Goals visit: https://sdgs.un.org
In this month’s Climate Conversations we are talking Climate Change and Sport. We hone in on six popular UK sporting events including the First Test Match at Edgbaston, the Great North Run, the London Marathon and the Six Nations Rugby and how they will be influenced by future weather trends due to climate change – picking on latest research by the Met Office. Also we talk to the founder of the Green Gazelles Rugby Club, and their perspective on how matches and training are being disrupted currently by the unpredictability of extreme weather, touching on the recent World Rugby Climate Report, and proactive responses to raise awareness across the sport. Produced and presented by Alex Burkill and Clare Nasir with guests, Met Office Climate Scientist Lottie Woods and Founder of Green Gazelles Rugby Club, Brendan Bale. Climate Conversations is a monthly show that takes an in depth look at the trends and impacts of climate change by chatting to experts about their latest research and insights.
Climate Conversations brings you a show on Machine Learning within the discipline of Climate Science. Dr Doug McNeall introduces two Met Office experts, Prof Simon Vosper, Director of Science at the Met Office and Dr Rachel McInnes, Co-Director the Joint Centre for Environmental Intelligence. They discuss the latest developments and challenges of working with Machine Learning in advancing climate science... Their conversations detail methods used to support operational weather and climate models and forecasting and a glimpse into what we can expect next from this emerging technology.
Dr. Bernardo Flores and Professor Richard Betts discuss the risk that the Amazon Rainforest could tip from a carbon sink to a source. Their latest scientific paper highlights future tipping points across the Amazon Rainforest. With Dr. Doug McNeall and Clare Nasir. The Met Office is the United Kingdom's national weather service. Our website carries the latest UK and global weather forecasts, detailed information on weather types, climate science and UK weather records for previous months, seasons and years. www.metoffice.gov.uk
In our climate podcast, Dr Doug McNeall speaks to Dr Matt Palmer on the science behind the 1.5° C temperature target. They discuss the challenges to keep the global temperature increase below 1.5°C compared to pre-industrial levels in order to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. Writing in the journal Nature ahead of COP28, a team of Met Office scientists has proposed a solution to define the current level of global warming relevant to the Paris Agreement. Climate Scientist Dr Matt Palmer is the architect of the new ‘Indicators of Global Warming’ dashboard, which complements the newly proposed indicators. The dashboard displays eight separate indicators as well as observed global mean temperature using Met Office HadCRUT5 data. The groundbreaking new tool provides real time insights on the status of our efforts to keep warming below 1.5° C. The Met Office is the United Kingdom's national weather service. Our website carries the latest UK and global weather forecasts, detailed information on weather types, climate science and UK weather records for previous months, seasons and years. www.metoffice.gov.uk
Alex Deakin and Alex Burkill discuss the week's weather events. The Met Office is the United Kingdom's national weather service. Our website carries the latest UK and global weather forecasts, detailed information on weather types, climate science and UK weather records for previous months, seasons and years. www.metoffice.gov.uk
Clare Nasir speaks with Professor Kirstine Dale, Met Office Chief AI Officer and Turing Fellow, about a groundbreaking new partnership with The Turing Institute to accelerate Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based forecasting with the potential for wide benefits to societies around the world.
Alex Deakin and Aidan McGivern reflect on a stormy week of powerful winds and strong opinion! The Met Office is the United Kingdom's national weather service. Our website carries the latest UK and global weather forecasts, detailed information on weather types, climate science and UK weather records for previous months, seasons and years. www.metoffice.gov.uk
Clare Nasir, Alex Deakin and Aidan McGivern reflect on the conditions that brought Storm Babet to the UK this week. The Met Office is the United Kingdom's national weather service. Our website carries the latest UK and global weather forecasts, detailed information on weather types, climate science and UK weather records for previous months, seasons and years. www.metoffice.gov.uk
Clare Nasir and Alex Deakin hear why leaves change colour in the Autumn. The Met Office is the United Kingdom's national weather service. The Met Office website carries the latest UK and global weather forecasts, detailed information on weather types and climate science and UK weather records for previous months, seasons and years. www.metoffice.gov.uk/
Clare Nasir and Alex Burkill take a look at the week's global weather events and hear how Met Office data is being used to help emergency responders in the UK. The Met Office is the United Kingdom's national weather service. Our website carries the latest UK and global weather forecasts, detailed information on weather types, climate science and UK weather records for previous months, seasons and years. www.metoffice.gov.uk
Sam Humble
what has happened to the weeks highs and lo s? I always really enjoyed hearing this
Ela
Hi there. Why you stopped this incredible podcast? I listened to it every week.
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