Environment monitoring and response

The Met Office has a specialist operational unit offering a co-ordinated and rapid response to environmental incidents.

Whether alerting the emergency services of significant tidal surges affecting coastal regions or providing weather advice during pollution events, the forecasts that are issued play a vital role in the integrated management of such events.

Incidents ranging from volcanic eruptions to radioactive leaks all pose problems for society. In such situations, the emergency response centre can provide the necessary help and advice to those who need it. This helps cover:

• the Storm Tide Forecasting Service;
• forecasting the spread and deposition of radioactive or chemical pollutants;
• a response to the airborne spread of diseases;
• an international role as a Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre for civil aviation.

We also now offer stand-alone computer programs to industry to allow them to make immediate forecasts of where accidental emissions may go. This helps significantly in handling accidents on the site, and for providing the workforce with vital safety information.