The talk will describe what blocking is, starting from the early discussion of it in Rossby’s Chicago School. The essence of the current theoretical understanding of blocking will be sketched. Finally, some thoughts on its predictability will be given.
Speaker
Professor Sir Brian Hoskins, CBE, FRS, FRMetS
Brian Hoskins has been a Professor of Meteorology in the University of Reading for 40 years. In 2008 he became the Founding Director of the Grantham Institute for Climate Change at Imperial College London and is now its Chair. His research interest has been in weather and climate, in particular the understanding and modelling of the motion of the atmosphere on all scales. His international roles include vice-chair of the World Climate Research Programme, President of the International Association of Atmospheric Sciences and being a member of the 2007 IPCC climate change assessment for which a Nobel Prize was awarded. In the UK he was a member of the UK Climate Change Committee for its first 10 years. He is a member of the science academies of the UK, USA, China and Europe. He received a CBE in 1998 and was knighted in 2007 for services to the environment.
Masterclass Series
Continuing our online Meteorological Masterclasses in partnership with the University of Reading, we are pleased to announce a new Masterclass series in “Atmospheric Blocking: Dynamics, Predictability, Impacts and Climate
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. Topics to be covered include the fundamentals of blocking, anticipating climate risk in infrastructure using atmospheric circulation patterns and representation of blocking in modes and climate projections.
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.
Masterclasses will run weekly on Wednesday’s 18 October, 01 November and 08 November 2023 from 3 pm to 4.30 pm (UTC), consisting of a presentation followed by the opportunity for questions and discussion with the speaker. Whilst the webinars are part of a series, attendance at all three events is not compulsory.
Sessions will be available as videos for any member who has registered but cannot attend. All registrants will have an option to email questions up to one week after the date of them going live.