In this issue ofWeather

Abstract

We start with the report by Nick Grahame et al. about a thunderstorm event in 2014. Although summer is the main time of year we can expect large-scale storms in the UK, the event of 13–14 June was unusual, in that it occurred in a polar maritime airstream, rather than in the more usual humid tropical air advected from the south. A combination of warm moist air near the surface with dry air of high PV aloft, as well as an inhibiting cap above the boundary layer made conditions perfect for the generation of these storms, which affected many parts of southern England. This is an interesting case study for all wanting to know more about stormy weather. Next we move on to an account of unusual significant weather conditions noted on duty in southern England by Met Office Observer Nigel Paice. His fascinating 35-year account, through his career, illustrates extreme weather events including dense fog, the inland penetration of a sea breeze, exceptional thunderstorms and even a dust devil! The increasing number of students of weather and the environmental sciences has brought the need for students to have access to high quality modelled weather data and ManUniCast is designed to fulfil that need. David Schultz et al. describe their forecast display system, which can be used on tablets, as well as PCs, and its possible application in the classroom and in the field. This system will undoubtedly be useful to all wishing to know how to interpret weather data, then use it sensibly. Finally, we move on to Richard Worthington's account of the association of convection with mountain-wave activity over Wales and Cross Fell in the North Pennines, illustrated by high-resolution satellite imagery. Although vertical motion must be part of a wave train, there is little acknowledgement of its association with convection.