Masterclass | The Record-Breaking Temperatures of 2023
LOCATION
Virtual - Hosted on Zoom
2023 was the warmest year on record, approaching 1.5C above pre-industrial levels. This talk will discuss the long-term changes in global temperatures, why 2023 was so extreme, and the implications for meeting the goal to limit global temperature rise as set out in the Paris Agreement. It will also highlight how changes in global temperature affect every one of us by making the consequences of extreme weather worse.
Speaker
Speaker: Prof Ed Hawkins
Responders
Fraser Ralston is a Weather Operations Delivery Manager at Network Rail, based at their Scottish control centre. This relatively new meteorologist role embedded within the rail industry has responsibility for a wide array of weather impacts on the rail network. The role includes analysing and imposing targeted mitigations in advance of hazardous weather, working with a variety of stakeholders to develop a risk based profile of weather for infrastructure and operations, as well as wider projects to improve both safety and performance across the rail network. Since 2015 Fraser has also been the convenor of the European Met Services session on ‘Weather Risks to Transport - Air, Sea and Land’.
Before joining Network Rail in 2022, Fraser spent 4 years as Senior Forecaster at Jersey Met Services. Prior to that Fraser had a 33 year career with the UK Met Office carrying out a wide variety of roles, often linked to operational meteorology within the transportation sector, media and client warning services, including 5 years developing an advisory role within Transport Scotland. Additionally Fraser enjoyed 3 secondments deployed in Antarctica with the British Antarctic Survey and then for 2 years was appointed as a ‘Polar Ambassador’ for the major STEM educational project during 2017-2019. During 2021 Fraser co-authored an educational book on weather and climate.
Fraser is a Chartered Meteorologist and is also a Fellow of the Royal Meteorological Society.
Will Lang
As the Met Office’s Head of Situational Awareness, Will leads the National Severe Weather Warning Service (NSWWS) as well as the team of Civil Contingencies Advisors which support government and the resilience community at all levels across the UK. He led on the inclusion of Extreme Heat Warnings within NSWWS from 2021, as well as the Met Office’s advice into UK government during the summer heatwaves of recent years.
Internationally, Will leads the WMO Expert Team responsible for guidance on impact-based warning services, and is a member of the WMO/WHO Global Heat Health Information Network.
Registration
REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED
Registration for this event is closed.
If you have any queries with regards to this event or require any further information please contact us at meetings@rmets.org.
We take data privacy seriously. Please read the RMetS privacy policy to find out more.
Masterclass Series Abstract
Continuing its online Meteorological Masterclasses in partnership with the University of Reading, the Society is pleased to announce a new series for Spring 2024.
During this series, three leading experts from the University of Reading will discuss the latest scientific advances for understanding and predicting weather, climate, and its impacts.
These masterclasses are intended to provide support for professionals working in Meteorology and Climate Science, and its operational applications who wish to remain up to date on recent scientific developments in the field.
This series includes the following talks:
- Cities and Climate Change
- Drought in a Future Climate
2023 was the warmest year on record, approaching 1.5C above pre-industrial levels. This talk will discuss the long-term changes in global temperatures, why 2023 was so extreme, and the implications for meeting the goal to limit global temperature rise as set out in the Paris Agreement. It will also highlight how changes in global temperature affect every one of us by making the consequences of extreme weather worse.
Speaker
Speaker: Prof Ed Hawkins
Responders
Fraser Ralston is a Weather Operations Delivery Manager at Network Rail, based at their Scottish control centre. This relatively new meteorologist role embedded within the rail industry has responsibility for a wide array of weather impacts on the rail network. The role includes analysing and imposing targeted mitigations in advance of hazardous weather, working with a variety of stakeholders to develop a risk based profile of weather for infrastructure and operations, as well as wider projects to improve both safety and performance across the rail network. Since 2015 Fraser has also been the convenor of the European Met Services session on ‘Weather Risks to Transport - Air, Sea and Land’.
Before joining Network Rail in 2022, Fraser spent 4 years as Senior Forecaster at Jersey Met Services. Prior to that Fraser had a 33 year career with the UK Met Office carrying out a wide variety of roles, often linked to operational meteorology within the transportation sector, media and client warning services, including 5 years developing an advisory role within Transport Scotland. Additionally Fraser enjoyed 3 secondments deployed in Antarctica with the British Antarctic Survey and then for 2 years was appointed as a ‘Polar Ambassador’ for the major STEM educational project during 2017-2019. During 2021 Fraser co-authored an educational book on weather and climate.
Fraser is a Chartered Meteorologist and is also a Fellow of the Royal Meteorological Society.
Will Lang
As the Met Office’s Head of Situational Awareness, Will leads the National Severe Weather Warning Service (NSWWS) as well as the team of Civil Contingencies Advisors which support government and the resilience community at all levels across the UK. He led on the inclusion of Extreme Heat Warnings within NSWWS from 2021, as well as the Met Office’s advice into UK government during the summer heatwaves of recent years.
Internationally, Will leads the WMO Expert Team responsible for guidance on impact-based warning services, and is a member of the WMO/WHO Global Heat Health Information Network.
Registration
REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED
Registration for this event is closed.
If you have any queries with regards to this event or require any further information please contact us at meetings@rmets.org.
We take data privacy seriously. Please read the RMetS privacy policy to find out more.
Masterclass Series Abstract
Continuing its online Meteorological Masterclasses in partnership with the University of Reading, the Society is pleased to announce a new series for Spring 2024.
During this series, three leading experts from the University of Reading will discuss the latest scientific advances for understanding and predicting weather, climate, and its impacts.
These masterclasses are intended to provide support for professionals working in Meteorology and Climate Science, and its operational applications who wish to remain up to date on recent scientific developments in the field.
This series includes the following talks:
- Cities and Climate Change
- Drought in a Future Climate
