Alpine ice shows three-fold increase in atmospheric iodine
Analysis of iodine trapped in Alpine ice has shown that levels of atmospheric iodine have tripled over the past century, and this has kept harmful levels of ozone gases in the lower atmosphere partially in check.
Ozone in the lower atmosphere acts as an air pollutant and greenhouse gas, but ozone is also the main driver of iodine emissions from the ocean. Once released into the atmosphere, iodine acts to destroy this ‘bad’ ozone.
NCAS mobile X-band weather radar deployed in Cumbria to improve regional flood forecasting
The National Centre for Atmospheric Science and the Environment Agency have successfully deployed the NCAS X-band weather radar in Cumbria. The radar will provide new observations to improve the Environment Agency’s flood forecasting and warning services.
Over the next year, the portable radar will provide rainfall information over a region of North Cumbria which is not adequately covered by the UK’s permanent radar network.
NERC strategic research programme to reduce climate model uncertainties
The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) will be investing £12 million into a large-scale strategic research programme on Reducing Uncertainties in Climate Models from Clouds.
Clouds emit heat energy back to the earth’s surface, and so can have a warming effect on our climate. But, clouds also reflect incoming sunlight and heat back out into space, and therefore exert a cooling effect. Whether the overall effect of these cloud feedbacks on the climate is warming or cooling depends on the formation, type, and altitude of the clouds; this presents a fundamental and persistent challenge for climate scientists.