| Welcome to Met Office research and development |
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The Met Office's research and development activities aim to improve
the accuracy of our forecast services and the efficiency with which
they can be produced. This enables our customers to benefit from the
progressive international advancement of weather forecasting techniques.
The main focus for delivery of improvements is through improving our
Unified Model system.
The Met Office is involved in many areas of research and development
in the fields of atmospheric and oceanic sciences and observations.
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| Scientific and Technical Review |
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Each year, the Met Office publishes a report detailing the progress
and achievements of the research and development section.
Read the
Scientific and Technical reviews |
| Numerical weather prediction |
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Numerical weather prediction is the process of obtaining an objective
forecast of the future state of the atmosphere by running a computer
model. As the computer model is improved then the accuracy of the
weather forecasts that are issued increases. There are groups working
on improving the numerical methods used, on data analysis and assimilation
techniques, on how observations are best used and on the various uses
of satellite data.
More about numerical weather
prediction |
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The Hadley Centre for Climate Prediction and Research, which is part
of the Met Office, provides the United Kingdom with an up-to-date
expert assessment of natural and man-made changes in global and regional
climate. This is done by developing and using models of the atmosphere,
ocean and other climate system components, and by monitoring observed
climate variability and change.
More about the
Hadley Centre |
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Although it is generally not possible to predict individual weather
events more than several days in advance, it is possible to provide
useful information about conditions averaged over weeks to months
and averaged over large areas: for example, the chance of above average
winter rainfall over western Europe, or the likelihood of an El Niņo
event in the Pacific.
More about seasonal
forecasting |
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In the field of oceanography, the Met Office develops ocean models
for operational ocean forecasting, seasonal forecasting and climate
prediction. We are also involved in the development of marine meteorological
and oceanographic observations.
More about oceanography
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The Met Office is involved in several international projects, each
having the common objectives of sharing information and obtaining
better understanding of the atmosphere.
More about international
projects |
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The stratosphere extends from about 10 km to 50 km above the Earth's
surface. One important feature of the stratosphere is the ozone layer,
which protects the earth by absorbing much of the ultraviolet radiation
from the Sun. Research in this area investigates processes that are
occurring in this part of the atmosphere and also numerical modelling
techniques.
More about the
stratosphere |
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