Category Archives: Hydrometeorology
The challenges of the mountain environment to flood forecasting
In the penultimate account in a series of articles on how the mountains of Scotland influence our approach to monitoring and flood forecasting, Mike Reading from the Met Office writes about the challenges of mountain forecasting. “In Scotland, we face … Continue reading
A look back on a decade of challenges and achievements for the Scottish Flood Forecasting Service
In this article, we take a retrospective view on a decade of challenges and achievements for the flood forecasting service with some of the many people who have made it a success. A period when Bertha, Ciara, Desmond, Dennis and … Continue reading
How do Scotland’s mountains affect its rainfall?
In the first of a series of articles on how the mountains of Scotland influence our approach to monitoring and flood forecasting, Mike Kendon writes about their role on rainfall. “Much of Scotland’s landscape is dominated by its mountains. Although … Continue reading
Operational Forecasting Across the Globe: Sharing Science at EGU20
For several years the ‘operational forecasting and warning systems‘ PICO session has been a popular feature of the EGU hydrological sciences program. However, with restrictions on travel and meetings in place due to Covid-19, the whole of the 2020 Assembly … Continue reading
Hydrometeorologist vacancy in Scotland
Here in SEPA we’re hiring a Hydrometerorologist. Permanent, full time, based in Perth, although other office locations may be considered. Flooding is one of this century’s biggest environmental challenges, and tackling it here in Scotland is a top priority for … Continue reading
Storm Frank-Short Range Forecast Performance
On the 30th December, 2015, new maximum peak levels were recorded on the Rivers Cree, Dee and upper Tweed due to rainfall which fell overnight from the 29th to the 30th December associated with Storm Frank; an unusually deep area … Continue reading
RAINS: Radar Applications in Northern Scotland
The past two months have brought significant rainfall across much of Scotland resulting in some severe disruption due to the impacts of flooding. Impacts have been seen in early December with Storm Desmond, through to Storm Frank which brought major … Continue reading
The 2005 Teviot floods: then and now
As previously reported Storm Desmond caused severe flooding over the weekend of the 5th and 6th December in parts of the country including the Teviot Valley. The River Teviot in Hawick recorded its second highest river flow on record and … Continue reading
Decision making in times of uncertainty: the forecaster
In a two-part feature, we cover various roles involved in decision making at times of uncertainty. The first is provided by Paul Ryles, Senior Scientist and operational flood forecaster at SEPA. “Flood prediction is a science, especially in challenging situations such … Continue reading
Flood forecasting: current challenges and future aspirations
How can flood forecasting best rise to the challenges and opportunities that communities and partners face; at what point does effort in flood forecasting become less effective than local adaptation; and what are the aspirations and capability of our future … Continue reading
Scottish Flood Forecasting Service 