Météo-France has begun construction of a new 50m tower for its weather radar in Sembadel, Haute-Loire, with the intention of improving the accuracy of meteorological observations.

The radar, installed in 1996, is part of Météo-France’s network of 39 radars and can detect precipitation up to 180km away. It plays a role in monitoring severe weather events, including intense rainfall episodes typical of the Cévennes region. However, the radar’s location near forested areas has led to reduced performance in recent years due to the growth of tall trees. To address this, France’s Ministry of Ecological Transition has funded the construction of a higher tower, which will become the tallest weather radar structure in the country.

Continue reading Météo-France begins construction of France’s tallest weather radar tower in Sembadel at Meteorological Technology International.

ForecastWatch has launched a new independent platform for weather forecast verification and market intelligence.

The release brings an expansion to the company’s verification capabilities, introduces a de-anonymized participation model supported by like-to-like benchmarking groups called Markets, and adds new API and data integration tools. The platform now covers more than 50 forecast producers over 2,400 weather stations worldwide.

The verification upgrade is the most significant aspect of the new release. Where the previous platform focused on post-forecast-day analysis, the new platform extends verification across the full forecast lifecycle – adding pre-Forecast Day risk detection through Forecast Risks, Forecast Watchlist and Forecast Email Alerts, and isolating station-level issues through a new Station Watchlist.

Continue reading ForecastWatch expands with launch of new independent platform for weather forecast verification at Meteorological Technology International.

A new European climate report has highlighted widespread temperature extremes, shrinking ice and increasing environmental pressures across the continent.

The European State of the Climate (ESOTC) 2025 report, produced by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF)and the World Meteorological Organization, identifies Europe as the fastest-warming continent, with impacts ranging from record heat waves to biodiversity loss.

According to the report, at least 95% of Europe experienced above-average annual temperatures in 2025. A three-week heat wave in sub-Arctic Fennoscandia saw temperatures exceed 30°C within the Arctic Circle. Furthermore, overall cold extremes declined, with fewer freezing days recorded across much of the continent.

Continue reading European climate report highlights record heat, glacier loss and rising extremes at Meteorological Technology International.

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has indicated a growing likelihood that El Niño conditions will develop from mid-2026, with potential impacts on global temperature and rainfall patterns.

According to the agency’s latest Global Seasonal Climate Update, sea surface temperatures in the equatorial Pacific are rising, pointing to a possible return of El Niño as early as May-July 2026. Forecasts suggest a “nearly global dominance of above-normal land surface temperatures” during the upcoming three-month period.

Wilfran Moufouma Okia, chief of climate prediction at the WMO, said, “After a period of neutral conditions at the start of the year, climate models are now strongly aligned, and there is high confidence in the onset of El Niño, followed by further intensification in the months that follow.”

He added that uncertainty remains due to the “spring predictability barrier,” a known limitation in forecasting at this time of year, though confidence typically improves after April.

Continue reading WMO signals increasing likelihood of El Niño developing in 2026 at Meteorological Technology International.

The Alabama Emergency Management Agency (AEMA) has partnered with Climavision to integrate gap-filling weather radar data into emergency management operations across the state, aiming to improve forecasting. Climavision has operated three radar systems in Alabama since 2021, targeting regions historically considered ‘radar gaps’ – areas where lower atmospheric conditions are not captured by conventional systems. Under the new agreement, this data will now be shared statewide to support operational decision-making, resource allocation and public communication.

The partnership reflects a broader trend toward public-private collaboration to enhance weather monitoring without requiring states to invest in and maintain their own radar infrastructure.

Continue reading Alabama partners with Climavision to expand weather radar coverage statewide at Meteorological Technology International.

The sharp increase in the frequency, intensity and duration of extreme heat events over the past 50 years is set to create significant risks to agrifood systems and ecosystems in the future, according to a new report from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).

The joint FAO-WMO report describes the physical science of extreme heat, the vulnerabilities observed and the projected impacts on agriculture. It also offers adaptation strategies, case studies and policy recommendations.

“This work highlights how extreme heat is a major risk multiplier, exerting mounting pressure on crops, livestock, fisheries and forests, and on the communities and economies that depend upon them,” said FAO director-general Qu Dongyu.

Continue reading Extreme heat posing significant risks to ecosystems and agriculture, FAO-WMO report warns at Meteorological Technology International.

Atmospheric G2 has obtained a weather forecasting license from the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), allowing it to provide regulated meteorological services in Japan under its own name.

The approval enables the company to expand its operations in Japan’s energy sector, offering forecasting services to trading firms, utilities and other market participants in compliance with local regulations.

“Securing our JMA license is a critical step in deepening our support for Japan’s energy trading community,” said Todd Navarra, the CEO of Atmospheric G2. “Weather drives volatility in power, LNG, renewables and broader commodities markets. Operating under a JMA license allows us to deliver the trusted, compliant and high-precision forecasting solutions that Japanese firms require to manage risk and optimize performance.”

Under Japan’s regulatory framework, organizations providing weather forecasts for the country must hold a JMA license and meet defined operational and technical requirements.

Continue reading Atmospheric G2 secures Japan weather forecasting license at Meteorological Technology International.

China’s research icebreaker Xuelong has returned after a 160-day Antarctic expedition, completing meteorological research activities during a voyage covering more than 34,000 nautical miles.

The mission formed part of China’s 42nd Antarctic expedition and included extensive atmospheric and weather observations at Zhongshan Station and Great Wall Station.

During the expedition, the meteorological team carried out routine observations of cloud cover, visibility and weather conditions, alongside measurements of temperature, humidity, air pressure, wind speed and direction, radiation and sunshine. Monitoring of greenhouse and reactive gases was also conducted to support ongoing climate and atmospheric research.

The team also undertook two experimental observation programs aimed at improving data accuracy and coverage.

Continue reading China completes Antarctic meteorological research mission with Xuelong icebreaker at Meteorological Technology International.

EWR Radar Systems has been awarded a US$17.35m contract to provide logistics support and maintenance for portable Doppler weather radar systems used by the United States Air Force.

The firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract covers contractor logistics support (CLS) for EWR’s E700 portable Doppler radar systems currently in service. Work will be carried out in St. Louis, Missouri, and is scheduled to run through April 1, 2032.

The contract was awarded as a sole-source acquisition and follows the expiration of a previous CLS agreement held by EWR for the same systems.

Under the new agreement, the company will support 47 deployed portable Doppler weather radar (E700XD) systems.

Continue reading EWR Radar Systems wins US Air Force contract for portable Doppler radar support at Meteorological Technology International.

Researchers at Northumbria University in the UK have been awarded £4m (US$5.4m) to investigate the behavior of Earth’s radiation belts, with the aim of improving space weather forecasting and satellite protection.

The five-year project, funded by the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), will examine why radiation belts can change rapidly and remain difficult to predict.

Radiation belts are regions around Earth where charged particles are trapped by the planet’s magnetic field. Their intensity and size can vary dramatically over just hours or days due to solar activity, but scientists currently cannot predict their behavior.

The project will be led by Clare Watt, professor of space physics at Northumbria University, and will combine spacecraft data from international missions with advanced computer modeling to better understand how energy moves through Earth’s magnetosphere.

Continue reading Northumbria University secures £4m to study Earth’s radiation belts at Meteorological Technology International.