Metop-A was launched in 2006

The next-generation of Europe’s polar orbiting weather satellites will fly in a two-spacecraft configuration.

Eumetsat, the organisation that operates Europe’s weather observatories, took the decision at its latest council meeting in Rome.

It will allow additional instruments to be flown, producing even more data for numerical weather prediction models.

The Eumetsat Polar System, Second Generation (EPS-2G), will be a multi-billion euro programme.

However, the cost is likely to be comparable with the current system which had a total envelope of about 2.4bn euros.

The two-spacecraft configuration and the possible instrument payloads will be considered in the initial feasibility study.

The present EPS has so far launched just the one platform, Metop-A, which went into space in 2006.

Two reserve satellites, Metop-B and Metop-C, are built and held in storage. They are likely to fly in 2012 and 2016 to give continuity to the programme.
Eruption plume

Metop-A is generally regarded as having been a remarkable step forward in monitoring capability for Europe.

It was the first European weather satellite to circle the Earth via the poles. Eumetsat’s familiar Meteosat class of observatories sit in geostationary orbits (GEO) some 36,000km above the equator. From this position, the Meteosats can image half of the Earth’s surface every 15 minutes.

Metop, on the other hand, takes high-resolution pictures of the whole planet over a much longer time span, between one and three days.

Its 12-instrument payload (eight of the instruments gather meteorological data) monitors variables such as temperature, humidity, wind velocity, ozone cover and atmospheric chemistry.

Metop-A played a critical role is assessing the progress of the ash plume from Iceland’s Eyjafjallajokull eruption in April.

The latest Eumetsat council has also approved the scope of the next-generation of the Meteosat series. This, too, will fly a two-satellite configuration for the first time.

Both of the new programmes will be developed in conjunction with the European Space Agency.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/science_and_environment/10378791.stm

The council claims inaccurate forecasts are costing businesses money

A Dorset coastal resort has set up its own weather website amid claims that Met Office predictions caused tourists to stay away.

Bournemouth Borough Council said the town lost more than £1m in revenue over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend in May 2009.

It claimed an inaccurate Met Office prediction of bad weather was “disastrous” for businesses.

The Met Office said its predictions are 86% accurate and “totally impartial”.

The new weather service, provided by WeatherNet, is costing the council £3,000 a year and will operate between April and October.

Mr Smith, of Bournemouth Tourism, said: “This investment is set against the potentially high commercial losses that result from customers being deterred by inaccurate weather forecasts.”

Influencing tourists

He added: “We decided enough is enough. Tourism is too important to Bournemouth to have it damaged by poor forecasts.

“To get the quality and accuracy we need, we have been working with a local weather company, Weathernet, who have many years of experience in producing accurate localised weather forecasts.

“The weather can have a big influence on where tourists go for last-minute getaways in the UK and with the ongoing threat of volcanic ash disrupting flights abroad and uncertainty around BA strikes, even more people will be staying in the UK.

“Accurate weather information increases business and this new forecast will be worth more than £2m per year in extra trade for Bournemouth through increasing visitors.”

A Met Office spokeswoman said their accuracy rate of 86% means they provide “good advice”.

“Although, on some days forecasts will not go to plan and this will be the same for any other forecaster. However, Met Office forecasts are totally impartial and will reflect the weather situation – be it dry or wet.

“Bournemouth Tourism is of course entitled to use its own weather forecasts, but visitors and residents of Bournemouth should continue to visit the Met Office website and listen out for local BBC broadcasts for information about severe weather warnings.

“The Met Office is surprised and disappointed to hear about Mr Smith’s comments, which follows a visit he made to the Met Office last year.

“He was complimentary about the capabilities and forecasts.”

On Tuesday Bournemouth Borough Council confirmed that a £3m artificial surf reef built in the sea off Boscombe was sub-standard.

Story from BBC NEWS:

© BBC MMX

The cold February weather is expected to continue with an ongoing risk of snow for parts of the UK, which could lead to some disruption to travel.

Freezing temperatures over the coming nights, could also lead to difficult driving conditions at times for many parts of the country.

The threat of snow remains with us for several more days, as the cold weather continues with widespread overnight frosts and the risk of further snowfall in places.

http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/corporate/pressoffice/2010/pr20100219.html

The cold February weather is predicted to continue with an increasing risk of snow for parts of the UK.

This means that there is likely to be some disruption to travel due to lying snow or icy conditions over the next few days.

The unsettled conditions will see rain turn increasingly to snow as it moves north-eastwards during Thursday over parts of Wales and central England, especially higher ground.

Amounts of snow will vary from place to place but there is the potential for up to 10 cm in some areas.

The threat of snow remains with us during Friday and through the weekend, as the cold weather continues with widespread overnight frosts and the risk of further snowfall in places.

http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/corporate/pressoffice/2010/pr20100217.html

Early warnings of severe or extreme weather

These are issued when the Met Office has 60% or greater confidence that severe weather is expected in the next few days.
Risk of disruption Warning Valid from Valid to
South West England:
60% Bath + NE Somerset
60% Bristol
60% Gloucestershire
60% N Somerset
60% S Gloucestershire
Heavy Snow 0600 Thu 18 2359 Thu 18

There is a high risk of a severe weather event affecting some central and southwestern parts England, as well as some eastern parts of Wales.

Rain will turn increasingly to snow as it moves northeastwards during Thursday. Snow accumulations of 5 to 10cm are expected to develop quite widely, but especially over hills.

This could cause disruption to travel networks and lead to problems with power lines.

Issued at: 1032 Wed 17 Feb

http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/uk/sw/sw_forecast_warnings.html?from=rss&sn=2015

Winter is set to make a brief return

A short-lived spell of wintry conditions is expected across parts of the UK, with sleet or snow in some southern areas for a time.

Rain is predicted to turn to sleet and snow as it moves north and east and meets colder air during Tuesday night and for a time on Wednesday.

Parts of south Wales, the Midlands and southern England could see a covering of snow with several centimetres possible. The snow could also reach south-east England, with the London area likely to be on the edge of the wintry weather.

Eddy Carroll, Chief Forecaster at the Met Office, says: “This brief spell of snow could cause some travel disruption before the weather turns less cold again.”
Heavy rain on Thursday, coupled with thawing snow and ice in northern regions of the UK, could lead to localised flooding. The weekend is expected to be mainly fine and dry for many.

http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/corporate/pressoffice/2010/pr20100119.html