Weather Updates

Topics: Environment / Climate

Sources: RMetS - Royal Meteorological Society

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Weather Updates

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Royal Meteorological Society

September Newsletter

It might not feel like it yet, but summer is officially over now that we’ve had the autumnal equinox. But with an unusually strong El Niño already making headlines, how far through the list will we get with our new storm names?

While the odds of a stormy autum have increased in the UK, it would appear that El Niño has kept things even quieter than expected in the Atlantic, where they are still waiting for the first named hurricane. If none form before 30 November 2026, it would be only the third such season on record, matching with 1914 and 1907. Though it’s worth pointing out those years were before the satellite era.

While no hurricanes sounds like a win-win, they do actually play a role in moving excess heat away from the equatorial oceans, bringing fresh water to drought-prone areas, and can help marine ecosystems by breaking up toxic bacteria or red tide algae.

The main point is that El Niño affects the balance of our planet’s weather patterns, and given this natural climate driver is happening on top of an already warmer world, I suspect we’ll be talking about it for months to come.

Too much doom and gloom? Lift your mood with my Cloud of the Day explainers (now on TikTok, YouTube as well as Instagram). Or tackle our MetMatters cryptic clues for September, set by our wonderful wordsmith Britta Parrish.

Hot air he made to confuse (4,4)
Stress you are heard expressing initially after crowd (8)
The discredited science of determining character from the skull; not right! It can be used to study natural timings (9)

See you next month,

Kirsty McCabe, FRMetS

Editor, MetMatters

Answers from August's newsletter:

DROUGHT - Unusually dry and rough in deadliest case (7)
SOLAR ECLIPSE - Luminary overshadowed by clip sequence, not entirely following notes (5,7)
DERECHO - Direct storm sequence in order? Echoed! (7)

GOES-East satellite animation showing lightning from a derecho crossing the Midwest on 10 August 2020. More than 1 million homes and businesses lost power. Credit: NOAA

What is a derecho?

You've heard of with hurricanes and tornadoes, but these long-lived and damaging thunderstorm events are a very different beast, as Gemma Plumb explains.

ENSO and El Niño

How can warming waters in the Pacific Ocean cause bushfires in Australia, torrential floods in South America and increase the risk of autumn storms for the UK?

If you and your children love everything science as much as we do, check out Fun Kids Science Weekly.

There’s so many amazing things to discover with Dan each week, from terrifying triceratops to gigantic galaxies! As well as some amazing special guests and top experts answering all your science-related questions!

It’s basically loads of mind-blowing science stuff crammed into twenty minutes.

About the Royal Meteorological Society (RMetS)

With a Royal Charter and as the only awarding body for meteorologists, RMetS is recognised as the leading independent authority for all things weather and climate.

Guided by our charitable purpose and a commitment to excellence, our mission is to advance the understanding of weather and climate and its applications for the benefit of everyone.

Join our vibrant community of like-minded enthusiasts and together we’ll embark on a journey of discovery and wonder.

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