Abstract Summer 2025 was the warmest so far recorded for the UK, and low precipitation amounts in preceding months and through the summer led to drought conditions in many areas of the UK. The hot, dry conditions prompted many comparisons with the infamous hot, dry summer of 1976. Despite occurring 50 years ago, the summer of 1976 is still considered a benchmark extreme year for the UK, in terms of the exceptional length of the heatwave and the severe impacts on water availability. In this paper, we compare these two summers in terms of their meteorology and drought characteristics.
Abstract The new film ‘Pressure’ brings renewed attention to one of the most dramatic weather forecasts ever. In June 1944, James Stagg faced the unenviable task of advising whether conditions would allow the D‐Day landings to proceed, with the lives of 160 000 troops and the fate of the war in the balance. Using AIFS‐ENS, the ECMWF machine‐learning ensemble forecast system, we recreate the forecasts in the days before 6th June. Even at short range, AIFS‐ENS moves the storm too rapidly into the Norwegian Sea giving undue confidence for favourable conditions for the landing in Normandy.
Abstract 2026 marks the 70th anniversary of the first UK Clean Air Act, a pivotal moment for air quality in modern British history. Previous narratives on this legislation have largely centred on pollution in London and monodisciplinary perspectives. This article integrates historical research with reconstructed estimates of PM2.5 concentrations to spotlight three other UK cities: Glasgow, Sheffield and Cardiff. It explores the relationship between air pollution and local histories to develop understanding of the wider geographical picture, while positioning the Clean Air Act 1956 within a longer chronology of air quality change from the industrial revolution to the twenty‐first century.
Abstract The English language is a gargantuan, gluttonous beast. It has become extraordinary among its peers in its powers of assimilation – such that we rarely consider the diverse origins of the words we use. In this two‐part paper, we will explore these origins, including the Pontic‐Caspian steppe, the British Empire, latinophone scientists and a TV show. We will discuss what barometers have in common with gurus, what hurricanes have in common with barbecues, why cumulocirrostratus never caught on, where typhoons really come from and why – in a different timeline – we might be weathermongers looking at welkins, cumbles and whirl‐puffs.
Abstract Text‐based weather forecasts play a critical role in translating complex meteorological information into actionable guidance. Recent advances in Large Language Models (LLMs) raise the question of whether parts of this communication task can be supported by automation. We examine how LLMs generate forecast text, where they perform well and what challenges remain. Proof‐of‐concept studies demonstrate that LLMs can produce coherent forecast narratives from meteorological inputs but may also generate fluent text containing misleading details. Near term use is most likely in supervised settings, with broader adoption contingent on demonstrated reliability and robust accountability.
