Humphrey Lean
@hwlean.bsky.social
Met Office scientist based at University of Reading. Working on convective scale/urban scale prediction.
Nice cloud with ice falling out somewhere near Chippenham.
January 28, 2026 at 9:17 AM
Nice cloud with ice falling out somewhere near Chippenham.
Reposted by Humphrey Lean
Revealed: how aviation emissions could be halved without cutting journeys
Revealed: how aviation emissions could be halved without cutting journeys
Exclusive: Getting rid of premium seats, ensuring flights are near full and using efficient aircraft could slash CO2, analysis suggests
Climate-heating emissions from aviation could be slashed in half – without reducing passenger journeys – by getting rid of premium seats, ensuring flights are near full and using the most efficient aircraft, according to analysis.
These efficiency measures could be far more effective in tackling the fast-growing carbon footprint of flying than pledges to use “sustainable” fuels or controversial carbon offsets, the researchers said. They believe their study, which analysed more than 27m commercial flights out of approximately 35m in 2023, is the first to assess the variation in operational efficiency of flights across the globe. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
January 7, 2026 at 10:02 AM
Revealed: how aviation emissions could be halved without cutting journeys
Reposted by Humphrey Lean
The current cold snap continues, before a deep area of low pressure threatens to bring further snow, strong winds and heavy rain to southern parts of the UK from Thursday night.
Find out more👇
www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/new...
Find out more👇
www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/new...
January 6, 2026 at 12:46 PM
The current cold snap continues, before a deep area of low pressure threatens to bring further snow, strong winds and heavy rain to southern parts of the UK from Thursday night.
Find out more👇
www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/new...
Find out more👇
www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/new...
Snowing and settling in Reading just now!
January 6, 2026 at 10:24 AM
Snowing and settling in Reading just now!
Tiny amount of snow in Reading this morning.
January 2, 2026 at 10:51 AM
Tiny amount of snow in Reading this morning.
Reposted by Humphrey Lean
2025 was the warmest year on record for Central England in a dataset that starts in 1659.
(Daily data available since 1772.)
www.metoffice.gov.uk/hadobs/hadce...
(Daily data available since 1772.)
www.metoffice.gov.uk/hadobs/hadce...
January 1, 2026 at 2:56 PM
2025 was the warmest year on record for Central England in a dataset that starts in 1659.
(Daily data available since 1772.)
www.metoffice.gov.uk/hadobs/hadce...
(Daily data available since 1772.)
www.metoffice.gov.uk/hadobs/hadce...
Reposted by Humphrey Lean
Looking for postdoc positions in the UK studying weather extremes?
Two jobs with deadline 4th Jan:
Historical windstorms, working with two insurance companies: jobs.reading.ac.uk/Job/JobDetai...
Storylines of extreme events, as part of a European collaboration: jobs.reading.ac.uk/Job/JobDetai...
Two jobs with deadline 4th Jan:
Historical windstorms, working with two insurance companies: jobs.reading.ac.uk/Job/JobDetai...
Storylines of extreme events, as part of a European collaboration: jobs.reading.ac.uk/Job/JobDetai...
Research Scientist in Historical Windstorms:Whiteknights Reading UK
Full time, fixed term contract (up to 36 months)
jobs.reading.ac.uk
December 27, 2025 at 8:35 AM
Looking for postdoc positions in the UK studying weather extremes?
Two jobs with deadline 4th Jan:
Historical windstorms, working with two insurance companies: jobs.reading.ac.uk/Job/JobDetai...
Storylines of extreme events, as part of a European collaboration: jobs.reading.ac.uk/Job/JobDetai...
Two jobs with deadline 4th Jan:
Historical windstorms, working with two insurance companies: jobs.reading.ac.uk/Job/JobDetai...
Storylines of extreme events, as part of a European collaboration: jobs.reading.ac.uk/Job/JobDetai...
Reposted by Humphrey Lean
In the coming days pressure will begin to rise to the N & E of the UK
This will gradually cause Atlantic low pressure systems to slow down, weaken & start to retrogress in the vicinity of the UK
This will allow the high to become more dominant, with a colder E wind developing
This will gradually cause Atlantic low pressure systems to slow down, weaken & start to retrogress in the vicinity of the UK
This will allow the high to become more dominant, with a colder E wind developing
December 19, 2025 at 7:36 PM
In the coming days pressure will begin to rise to the N & E of the UK
This will gradually cause Atlantic low pressure systems to slow down, weaken & start to retrogress in the vicinity of the UK
This will allow the high to become more dominant, with a colder E wind developing
This will gradually cause Atlantic low pressure systems to slow down, weaken & start to retrogress in the vicinity of the UK
This will allow the high to become more dominant, with a colder E wind developing
Reposted by Humphrey Lean
Exciting jobs & PhD studentship!
1) postdoc in historical windstorms: jobs.reading.ac.uk/Job/JobDetai...
2) postdoc in extreme event storylines: jobs.reading.ac.uk/Job/JobDetai...
3) PhD in redeveloping the Central England Temperature series (led by Tim Osborn): www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
1) postdoc in historical windstorms: jobs.reading.ac.uk/Job/JobDetai...
2) postdoc in extreme event storylines: jobs.reading.ac.uk/Job/JobDetai...
3) PhD in redeveloping the Central England Temperature series (led by Tim Osborn): www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
December 8, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Exciting jobs & PhD studentship!
1) postdoc in historical windstorms: jobs.reading.ac.uk/Job/JobDetai...
2) postdoc in extreme event storylines: jobs.reading.ac.uk/Job/JobDetai...
3) PhD in redeveloping the Central England Temperature series (led by Tim Osborn): www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
1) postdoc in historical windstorms: jobs.reading.ac.uk/Job/JobDetai...
2) postdoc in extreme event storylines: jobs.reading.ac.uk/Job/JobDetai...
3) PhD in redeveloping the Central England Temperature series (led by Tim Osborn): www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
Reposted by Humphrey Lean
#StormBram on its final approach to the UK this evening..
December 8, 2025 at 10:59 PM
#StormBram on its final approach to the UK this evening..
Reposted by Humphrey Lean
China doesn’t want to take lead on climate policies alone, senior adviser warns
China doesn’t want to take lead on climate policies alone, senior adviser warns
Exclusive: A top official in Beijing’s Cop delegation says China is committed to clean energy – but America’s absence is a problem
China is committed to the energy transition needed to avert climate breakdown – but does not want to take the lead alone in the absence of the US, one of the country’s senior advisers has told the Guardian.
Wang Yi said China would provide more money to vulnerable countries, but the EU’s climate commissioner has warned Beijing is not doing enough to cut emissions. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
November 19, 2025 at 11:10 AM
China doesn’t want to take lead on climate policies alone, senior adviser warns
A little bit of wet snow seen in Reading just now towards the back of the band of rain moving south.
November 19, 2025 at 8:32 AM
A little bit of wet snow seen in Reading just now towards the back of the band of rain moving south.
Cold night in Reading although cloud rolled in before dawn but with enough gaps to give a great red sky around sunrise.
November 18, 2025 at 10:02 AM
Cold night in Reading although cloud rolled in before dawn but with enough gaps to give a great red sky around sunrise.
Reposted by Humphrey Lean
After an exceptionally mild week across many areas, we are going to get a taste of winter as cold Arctic air plunges down from the north
So it's probably time to get the big coat out 🥶
So it's probably time to get the big coat out 🥶
November 15, 2025 at 12:32 PM
After an exceptionally mild week across many areas, we are going to get a taste of winter as cold Arctic air plunges down from the north
So it's probably time to get the big coat out 🥶
So it's probably time to get the big coat out 🥶
Reposted by Humphrey Lean
Colder Arctic air on the way for the week ahead..🌡📉
November 15, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Colder Arctic air on the way for the week ahead..🌡📉
Reposted by Humphrey Lean
Interested in revealing how moisture-driven surface cyclones can develop into hazardous windstorms, now and in the future? You could do it at @unirdg-met.bsky.social @ncas-uk.bsky.social, working with @benharvey.bsky.social, @jriboldi.bsky.social, Sue gray and me!
jobs.reading.ac.uk/Job/JobDetai...
jobs.reading.ac.uk/Job/JobDetai...
Research Scientist (North Atlantic Storms and Climate Change):Whiteknights Reading UK
The closing date for applications is 23.59 on 21 November 2025
jobs.reading.ac.uk
October 31, 2025 at 11:56 AM
Interested in revealing how moisture-driven surface cyclones can develop into hazardous windstorms, now and in the future? You could do it at @unirdg-met.bsky.social @ncas-uk.bsky.social, working with @benharvey.bsky.social, @jriboldi.bsky.social, Sue gray and me!
jobs.reading.ac.uk/Job/JobDetai...
jobs.reading.ac.uk/Job/JobDetai...
Reposted by Humphrey Lean
Storm Amy has been record breaking ⚠️
An air pressure of 947.9 hPa was recorded at Baltasound, Shetland, provisionally setting a new UK lowest pressure record for October.
Northern Ireland provisionally recorded its strongest October wind gust on record, with a gust of 92 mph at Magilligan.
An air pressure of 947.9 hPa was recorded at Baltasound, Shetland, provisionally setting a new UK lowest pressure record for October.
Northern Ireland provisionally recorded its strongest October wind gust on record, with a gust of 92 mph at Magilligan.
October 4, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Storm Amy has been record breaking ⚠️
An air pressure of 947.9 hPa was recorded at Baltasound, Shetland, provisionally setting a new UK lowest pressure record for October.
Northern Ireland provisionally recorded its strongest October wind gust on record, with a gust of 92 mph at Magilligan.
An air pressure of 947.9 hPa was recorded at Baltasound, Shetland, provisionally setting a new UK lowest pressure record for October.
Northern Ireland provisionally recorded its strongest October wind gust on record, with a gust of 92 mph at Magilligan.
Reposted by Humphrey Lean
#StormAmy ’s magnificent swirl as seen from @eumetsat.int’s Meteosat-12 satellite 🛰️
October 4, 2025 at 1:52 PM
#StormAmy ’s magnificent swirl as seen from @eumetsat.int’s Meteosat-12 satellite 🛰️
Reposted by Humphrey Lean
EarthCARE is a inexhaustible source of beautiful imagery of some of the most spectacular phenomena nature has to offer, so I've started a Gallery page on the EarthCARE Science web site, showing for example convective motions in the trainbands of Typhoon Ragasa... www.earthcarescience.net/gallery
September 26, 2025 at 10:21 PM
EarthCARE is a inexhaustible source of beautiful imagery of some of the most spectacular phenomena nature has to offer, so I've started a Gallery page on the EarthCARE Science web site, showing for example convective motions in the trainbands of Typhoon Ragasa... www.earthcarescience.net/gallery
Reposted by Humphrey Lean
#OnThisDay 200 years ago witnessed the birth of modern railways through the opening procession of the Stockton & Darlington Railway from Shildon to Darlington. Watched by thousands, Locomotion No.1 hauled hundreds of passengers aboard wagons and coach 'Experiment'.
September 27, 2025 at 4:00 AM
#OnThisDay 200 years ago witnessed the birth of modern railways through the opening procession of the Stockton & Darlington Railway from Shildon to Darlington. Watched by thousands, Locomotion No.1 hauled hundreds of passengers aboard wagons and coach 'Experiment'.
Missed the total phase of the lunar eclipse because the moon was too close to the horizon. Did get to see the shadow receding across it though.
September 7, 2025 at 9:20 PM
Missed the total phase of the lunar eclipse because the moon was too close to the horizon. Did get to see the shadow receding across it though.
Reposted by Humphrey Lean
Air pollution can drive devastating forms of dementia, research suggests
Air pollution can drive devastating forms of dementia, research suggests
Airborne particles cause toxic clumps of proteins in brain that are hallmarks of Lewy body dementia, study indicates
Fine-particulate air pollution can drive devastating forms of dementia by triggering the formation of toxic clumps of protein that destroy nerve cells as they spread through the brain, research suggests.
Exposure to the airborne particles causes proteins in the brain to misfold into the clumps, which are hallmarks of Lewy body dementia, the second most common form of dementia after Alzheimer’s disease. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
September 4, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Air pollution can drive devastating forms of dementia, research suggests
Reposted by Humphrey Lean
An ominous looking swathe of cloud gathering to our southwest associated with a low pressure system
Wind and rain incoming tonight/tomorrow
Wind and rain incoming tonight/tomorrow
September 2, 2025 at 5:41 PM
An ominous looking swathe of cloud gathering to our southwest associated with a low pressure system
Wind and rain incoming tonight/tomorrow
Wind and rain incoming tonight/tomorrow
Last night in Reading at around 17:30 UTC saw one of the brightest and most complete rainbows I’ve seen for a while (the photo doesn’t do it justice).
September 2, 2025 at 5:42 AM
Last night in Reading at around 17:30 UTC saw one of the brightest and most complete rainbows I’ve seen for a while (the photo doesn’t do it justice).
Reposted by Humphrey Lean
New analysis from @metoffice.gov.uk showing that the record-breaking hot UK summer of 2025 has been made much more likely by human-induced climate change and such a hot summer would be expected about once every 5 years in current climate. www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/new...
Summer 2025 is the warmest on record for the UK
Provisional Met Office statistics confirm that summer 2025 is officially the warmest summer on record for the UK.
www.metoffice.gov.uk
September 1, 2025 at 4:48 PM
New analysis from @metoffice.gov.uk showing that the record-breaking hot UK summer of 2025 has been made much more likely by human-induced climate change and such a hot summer would be expected about once every 5 years in current climate. www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/new...