A new Met Office forecasting centre for Aberdeen was officially opened on April 29 by Professor Muffy Calder, Chief Scientific Adviser for Scotland, continuing our proud relationship with the city.
The opening was also attended by members of Scottish Parliament, Members of Parliament and Professor Julia Slingo, Met Office Chief Scientist.
The Met Office has had a base in Aberdeen for over 70 years and the latest move to Lord Cullen House allows for an increase in forecast capability and the opportunity to extend our range of operational services provided from this centre of forecasting excellence. We provide forecast services for a wide range of areas including public weather, marine and the renewable industry.
Following the launch of the Scottish Flood Forecasting Service in 2011, a joint partnership between the Scottish Environment Protectiom Agency (SEPA) and the Met Office, SEPA also have a dedicated area within the Met Office allowing for our experts to work together to help keep Scotland safe during times of severe weather, such as heavy rainfall or storm tides.
Richard Brown, Head of Hydrology for SEPA , said: “The Met Office and SEPA work closely together throughout the year to help minimise the impacts of severe weather and flooding through joint initiatives, such as the Scottish Flood Forecasting Service. This new workspace allows experts from both organisations to continue our partnership working and utilise the data from the increased forecasting capabilities within the new building.”
The Met Office also works closely with civil contingency networks across the country and has a group of dedicated advisors based in Scotland who help the emergency response community co-ordinate a rapid response to a wide range of severe weather.
Through the increased forecast capability in Aberdeen the Met Office will continue to provide trusted weather forecasts and warnings, advice on environmental hazards and climate services to users across Scotland and the marine and offshore industry both around the UK and internationally.
[mappress]
Press release, May 1, 2013; Image: Met Office