The weather is our favourite topic of conversation in the UK, but surely our pets come a close second? Here are some of the best weather and climate images from our annual weather photography competition that feature an animal or two.

There are surprisingly strict definitions for a host of weather-related phenomena. Read on to find out what the polar vortex actually is, the difference between rain and showers, and why it’s redundant to say “a tornado touched down”.

Whether it’s the patter of tiny pellets or the pounding of marble-sized missiles, hailstones command our attention. But do you know how hail forms or why it's more dangerous in summer?

Right now, approximately 2000 thunderstorms are happening around the world. But how does that cute little fluffy cumulus cloud turn into a big threatening thunderhead?

Cloud spotter? Then you’re in the right place. In fact, the man who gave clouds their fancy Latin names was one of the original members of the Royal Meteorological Society. Luke Howard, pharmacist and amateur meteorologist was born 250 years ago, on 28 November 1772. MetMatters takes a look at his ten basic cloud types.

When Kirsty McCabe first presented the weather she was told not to use the word precipitation on air. It was apparently ‘too technical’. But the 'P' word is actually quite simple. MetMatters explains the different forms that water takes when falling from the sky.

In an exclusive podcast for the Royal Meteorological Society, Kirsty McCabe chats to pilot Commander Rebecca J. Waddington and Flight Director Nikki Hathaway from the NOAA Hurricane Hunters. Find out what it's really like to fly through a storm, why the aircraft are named after the Muppets, and the hidden perils of the infamous blue flight suit.

Considering the freezing, wintery conditions we have been experiencing in the UK this late January, we are going to look back at our video ‘Forecasting Winter Road Condtions’.

Peter Gibbs chats to Paul Knightley, Forecast Manager at MeteoGroup and visits the Highways Depot in Berkshire