Sarah Millington

Areas of expertise

• Atmospheric dispersion modelling 
• Radiological and biological dispersion modelling 
• Communication of dispersion science for emergency response and policy 
• Satellite data, e.g. volcanic ash detection and simulated satellite imagery 

Current activities

Sarah leads the Atmospheric Dispersion and Air Quality group. The group's focus is on research, development, expert analysis and communication in the field of atmospheric dispersion. This involves the development and application of the Met Office's Numerical Atmospheric-dispersion Modelling Environment (NAME) for events including industrial fires, the spread of animal diseases, nuclear accidents and volcanic eruptions, and air-quality forecasting. Some examples of the work of the group: 

• Joint Agency Modelling (JAM) for releases of radionuclides to the atmosphere in collaboration with UK agencies such as UKHSA, AWE, ONR, FSA, EA; developed during and since the response to the Fukushima-Daiichi 2011 accident. 
• Volcanic ash modelling to support the Met Office’s role as the London VAAC; used during the eruptions of Eyjafjallajökull in 2010 and Grimsvotn in 2011 and continues to be developed.  
• Development and support of CHEMET, the Met Office’s most frequently use atmospheric-dispersion service for chemical releases and fires. 
• Daily air quality forecasts and the development of the Air Quality Data Portal through the Clean Air Programme. 
• Modelling the potential incursions of midges that can carry Bluetongue Virus (BTV) from the near continent to Great Britain. In 2023 and 2024 BTV-8 spread through eastern England after incursions into coastal areas. 

Sarah leads and manages the group of just over 30 scientists and software engineers in five teams. She provides strategic guidance on the scientific and technical work of the group, supports the development and wellbeing of individuals, coordinates and manages key activities and communicates developments, ideas and science with external collaborators, government stakeholders and internal colleagues.  

Career background

Sarah joined the Met Office in 1998 and worked in the Satellite Applications group until 2005. Her work involved research and development of satellite image products (e.g. cloud, volcanic ash and desert dust identification) using primarily Meteosat Second Generation data. Between 2005 and 2009 Sarah worked on developing defence products to aid military operations in the Defence applications team. In 2009 Sarah returned to the Satellite Applications group to work on the provision of sea surface temperature data to climate research. The eruption of Eyjafjallajökull, Iceland, in 2010 led to Sarah advising the London Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC) and subsequently developing simulated volcanic ash imagery using NAME ash concentration forecasts to support the service. 

Sarah moved to the Atmospheric Dispersion and Air Quality group in 2014 as Manager of the Radiological & Biological Team in ADAQ and led the team of 5-6 scientists for ten years. During this time, she played a key role in the development of the Joint Agency Modelling (JAM) capability for atmospheric radiological releases in collaboration with external agencies, developed event response capabilities within ADAQ and across the Met Office and collaborated on biological dispersion projects such as modelling locusts in East Africa and the development of dispersion modelling to support Defra’s response to a Bluetongue outbreak. 

In 2024, Sarah became the Head of the Atmospheric Dispersion and Air Quality group. 

Prior to starting work at the Met Office, Sarah gained a degree in Physics at Nottingham University, and since starting work has gained an MSc degree in Meteorology from Reading University.