Category Archives: Environmental physics

Skirting the Issue

Posted on April 16, 2018 by Stephen Burt

By Geoff Wadge During a major explosive volcanic eruption a set of three main processes transfers mass and heat from the solid earth to the atmosphere. These three processes are: a gas thrust (jet) extending up from the volcanic vent, … Continue reading →

Posted in Aerosols, Environmental hazards, Environmental physics, Volcanoes | Tagged | Leave a comment

The physics behind a physics scheme

Posted on May 15, 2017 by Stephen Burt

By Alan Grant When I joined the Met Office (or, as it was then, The Meteorological Office), I was posted to the boundary layer group. I spent a number of years investigating the atmospheric boundary layer, using data from aircraft … Continue reading →

Posted in Boundary layer, Environmental physics, Numerical modelling, Oceans, Waves | Leave a comment

How can a hurricane near the USA affect the weather in Europe?

Posted on October 31, 2016 by Stephen Burt

By John Methven It may seem bizarre that processes occurring within clouds near the USA, involving tiny ice crystals and water droplets, can have an influence on high-impact weather events thousands of kilometres away in Europe, and our ability to predict them … Continue reading →

Posted in Environmental physics, Measurements and instrumentation, Numerical modelling, University of Reading, Weather forecasting | Leave a comment

Improving jet stream forecasts through observational experiment

Posted on October 28, 2015 by Stephen Burt

By John Methven Weather systems developing over the North Atlantic and hitting Europe are intimately related to large-amplitude meanders of the jet stream, known as Rossby waves. Characteristic weather patterns grow in concert with the waves, and the jet stream … Continue reading →

Posted in Environmental hazards, Environmental physics, extratropical cyclones, Numerical modelling, Weather forecasting | Tagged , | Leave a comment

How do solar eclipses affect the weather?

Posted on February 16, 2015 by Stephen Burt

By Suzanne Gray     Department of Meteorology On the morning of Friday 20 March 2015 a rare near-total solar eclipse will occur in the UK. Why do meteorologists, as well as astronomers and amateur scientists, have the day marked on their calendars? … Continue reading →

Posted in Eclipses, Environmental physics, Weather | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Reconstructing space climate

Posted on February 2, 2015 by Stephen Burt

By Matt Owens The approximately 11-year cycle in the number of sunspots visible on the Sun was first identified more than 150 years ago, by Samuel Schwabe, and has been well-observed ever since. In fact, with the power of hindsight, … Continue reading →

Posted in Environmental physics, Space | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Heating up for a new academic year

Posted on August 25, 2014 by Stephen Burt

By Maarten Ambaum When most “normal” people are enjoying their holidays, many academics are gearing up for the next academic year. Come October, when our new students sit expectantly in the lecture halls, we need to present them with the … Continue reading →

Posted in Climate change, Environmental physics, Students, Teaching & Learning | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment