Official news blog

How do climate change, air quality and our health interact?

27 January 2023

In this latest blog on our January climate theme of health, we explore the links between climate, air quality and our health. This blog has been written by Met Office scientists Steven Turnock, Fiona O’Connor, Paul Agnew and Matthew Hort.

Has there been a Sudden Stratospheric Warming – and what does that mean for our weather?

26 January 2023

You may have heard speculation about a Sudden Stratospheric Warming and that a ‘Beast from the East’ is on the way with freezing conditions and widespread snow. Is there any truth behind the headlines and what can we say about the weather for the coming month?

How does humidity affect health?

24 January 2023

Not so long ago, we might have looked forward to a heatwave, particularly here in the UK – a chance to enjoy the sunshine and balmy evenings. Heatwaves, however, can cause a range of health problems.

An awe-inspiring visit to AmazonFACE

20 January 2023

A landmark experiment is taking place in the Amazon Rainforest. Misha Khan from the Met Office International team explains what AmazonFACE is; why it’s so important and what it was like to visit the experiment site.

Staying on track in summer heat and winter chills

18 January 2023

The weather impacting travel plans isn’t anything new. But for the UK’s railways, our varied and changing climate introduces additional challenges.

The temperate rainforests of Dartmoor

16 January 2023

Dr Debbie Hemming, Scientific Manager of the Met Office Vegetation-Climate Interactions (VCI) group, explains why she is so interested in temperate rainforests and why they are an area of scientific research.

Changing climate brings impacts for hay fever sufferers

13 January 2023

For this month’s climate theme, we are focusing on health. In this blog post, we’re discussing pollen, the impacts that it can cause for hay fever sufferers, and whether a changing climate will influence pollen levels throughout the year.