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Rail weather training

Snowy railway line

This one-day course has been developed for people who work in a control-room environment, who have access to the daily weather forecast supplied by the Met Office and have to make operational decisions about running the railway based on this information.

Rail training can be hosted by the Met Office or provided at your own premises. We aim to have around 10 delegates per course.

A full set of notes are supplied for handy reference, and course certificates are awarded on completion.

Refreshments and lunch are provided.

Making the most of your weather forecast

Aims and objectives

To give you a basic understanding of the weather in the UK and its impact on the rail industry. Particular attention will be paid to those weather hazards that cause the most damage.

For you to appreciate the different sources of weather information and understand their varying limitations.

Ultimately, this course will enable you to make informed decisions leading up to and during periods of adverse weather.

Course content

Setting the scene — what causes the UK’s weather

This section is intended to provide background information on why the UK has such diverse weather. It also sets much of the background meteorology which is imperative for the following sections.

There is a practical session on identifying air masses.

Strong winds — their cause and effect on the rail network

Strong winds
In this section we answer questions such as:
  • When do strong winds occur? Both time of year and the type of weather events they are associated with.
  • What type of winds cause the most damage?
  • Where do strong winds occur?

There is a practical session identifying strong winds on charts.

Thunderstorms — their cause and effect on the rail network

Thunderstorms
In this section we answer questions such as:
  • When do thunderstorms occur? Both time of year and the type of weather events they are associated with.
  • What type of thunderstorm situations cause the most damage?
  • Where do thunderstorms occur?

We examine how lightning is detected. There is a practical session matching weather to lightning-risk criteria.

Temperatures — their cause and effect on the rail network

Low temperature
In this section we answer questions such as:
  • Why do different types of surface temperature differ so much?
  • When do minimum temperatures occur?

Snow and ice — their cause and effect on the rail network

Snow
In this section we answer questions such as:
  • When does snow or icing occur? Both time of year and the type of weather events they are associated with.
  • What type of icing events cause the most damage?
  • Where does icing occur?

There is a practical session identifying icing situations.

Flooding events — their causes and effect on the rail network

Flood
In this section we answer questions such as:
  • What types of flooding exist?
  • What types of weather events are they associated with?

There is a case study on an exceptional recent flooding event.

Quiz

This is aimed at identifying some of the important points that you need to remember.

Forecast limitations — why do forecasts go wrong?

In this section we identify the reasons for why forecasts go wrong.

We examine confidence levels and probabilities, and the limitations of weather radar.

Climate change — the latest news and the implications for you

In this section we provide the most up-to-date theories on climate change and how it will impact the rail industry, for example, lightning frequency, strong wind frequency and flooding implications.