Storm-chasers take to the skies
22 July 2005
Storm-chasing scientists are taking to the summer skies to lift the lid on how storms start. As the UK heats up, the risk of flash floods increases, so predicting when and where downpours are due is vital.
Antenna investigates...
Image: Andreas Behrendt, University of Hohenheim, Germany
Storm-chasing scientists are using the latest technology to find out what causes torrential rainstorms that often lead to devastating flash floods.
Image: Chilbolton Observatory
The high-flying team reach for an impressive array of equipment when storm clouds gather: the world's largest meteorological radar, a Cessna plane to take to the skies, weather balloons, satellite data and much more... |
Radar image showing rainfall over North Yorkshire on June 19 2005
Image: Met Office
A month's worth of rain poured on to the North Yorkshire Moors in just three hours this June. This caused the River Rye to burst its banks at such a speed that motorists were forced to abandon their cars. Should scientists have seen it coming? |
Image: www.glastonburyfestival.co.uk
Today's UK weather forecasts come from computers that make predictions when you punch in wind speed, humidity and other stats. These spot weather events bigger than 50 km across, but miss the smaller-scale storms that feed flash floods. |
'I am using data collected in the field about how thunderstorms behave to build a computer model. This will predict to a scale of 1 km where and when storms will hit.
'This will give several hours' notice to issue a warning to communities at imminent risk of a flash-flood event.'
Peter Clark, weather expert, Met Office
Peter Clark, weather expert, Met Office
Peter Clark, weather expert, Met Office
Image: Met Office
'In the summer, we get hot air containing lots of water vapour close to the ground. On top of this is a layer of even warmer air called a lid. Above the lid is cold air.
'A thunderstorm happens when the lid bursts, allowing air trapped below to rush upwards. The water vapour in the air cools, causing torrents of rain.'
Keith Browning, storm chaser, University of Reading
Keith Browning, storm chaser, University of Reading
Image: UFAM & University of Leeds
What lifts the lid to kick-start a thunderstorm?
`The lid might lift over hills or when you get wind patterns - called convergence lines - next to the coast. We hope our storm observations will tell us why over the next few months.'
Alan Blyth, storm chaser on the ground, NERC Centres for Atmospheric Science & University of Leeds
Alan Blyth, storm chaser on the ground, NERC Centres for Atmospheric Science & University of Leeds
Alan Blyth, storm chaser, NERC Centres for Atmospheric Science & University of Leeds
Image: UFAM & University of Leeds
Is climate change stirring up storms?
'It is without doubt that the UK is getting warmer. It is one degree Celsius warmer now in the UK than it was 150 years ago, which is largely due to increases in greenhouse-gas concentrations. Warm air can hold more water, and in high summer temperatures we get thunderstorms.
'It is without doubt that the UK is getting warmer. It is one degree Celsius warmer now in the UK than it was 150 years ago, which is largely due to increases in greenhouse-gas concentrations. Warm air can hold more water, and in high summer temperatures we get thunderstorms.
'So, as the UK gets warmer, we have heavier rain and are at greater risk of flash floods. We can expect these rare events to become more commonplace in the future.'
Mike Hulme, climate-change expert, Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research
Mike Hulme, climate-change expert, Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research
Mike Hulme, climate-change expert, Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research
Storm-chasers: predicting flash floods
Video: Antenna Productions
Thanks to BBC, www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk, Chilbolton Observatory, NERC-NCAS & UFAM
Watch this video to find out how storm-chasing scientists plan to offer advanced warning of flash floods in the future. And follow the link to find out more about storm chasing from the experts at NERC Centres for Atmospheric Science. |