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Climate computing power 'needs more cash'
Jun 5, 2020
A top climate scientist has called for more investment in climate computing to explain the UK’s recent topsy turvy weather.
Prof Tim Palmer from Oxford University said there were still too many unknowns in climate forecasting.
And in the month the SpaceX launch grabbed headlines, he said just one of the firm's billions could transform climate modelling.
Short-term weather forecasting is generally very accurate.
And long-term trends in rising temperatures aren’t in doubt.
But Prof Palmer says many puzzles remain unsolved: take the recent topsy-turvy weather in the UK, with the wettest February on record followed by the sunniest Spring.
Forecasters set for 'billion pound' supercomputer May was sunniest UK month on record
Weather somersault
Meteorologists were astounded by this unprecedented weather somersault – and especially by the amazing amount that May sunshine exceeded the previous record.
This year’s figure was 13% higher than the previous record – that’s like the winner of the 100 metres leaving opponents 13 metres behind.
Some point the blame on manmade climate change, but the Met Office says, as yet, there’s no strong evidence for that.
Prof Palmer told BBC News: “It would be really valuable for us to have more knowledge of how climate change is affecting weather patterns like this.
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