Research areas
Weather
We focus on the physical and dynamical processes that control the evolution and predictability of weather from hours to days. Our research helps to improve forecasts of, for example, urban air quality and heavy rainfall that can bring flooding. We house the University/Met Office Joint Centre for Mesoscale Meteorology and elements of the National Centre for Atmospheric Science (NCAS)-weather programme.
Research groups:
- Boundary layer group
- Clouds and climate
- Dynamical processes
- Mesoscale group
- Radar observations of precipitation and clouds
Climate variability and change
Our climate research aims to understand the processes that drive climate variability and change and so improve predictions of climate on seasonal to multi-decadal timescales. With the Met Office and the National Centre for Atmospheric Science (NCAS) we represent the national capability in climate modeling and are working to develop the next generation of global climate models. With the Walker Institute we also address the impacts of climate change.
Research groups:
- Aerosol-climate interactions
- Space and atmospheric electricity
- Oceanography
- Radiation and climate processes
- Tamsat : Monitoring and forecasting rainfall in Africa
National Centre for Atmospheric Science (NCAS) climate groups at Reading:
- Climate variability and change
- High Resolution Climate Modelling Group (HRCM)
- Land-surface processes
- Stratosphere and Climate
- Tropical climate
- Crops and climate
Earth Observation
We make extensive use of ground based and remotely-sensed observations to understand weather and climate processes; to verify and develop models and to develop forecasting techniques. The expertise within the Department is concentrated within NERC's National Centre for Earth Observation which is directed from Reading.
Research groups: