Open AccessRecent developments in operational flood forecasting in England, Wales and Scotland
Author(s) -
Werner Micha,
Cranston Michael,
Harrison Tim,
Whitfield Doug,
Schellekens Jaap
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
meteorological applications
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.672
H-Index - 59
eISSN - 1469-8080
pISSN - 1350-4827
DOI - 10.1002/met.124
Subject(s) - flood myth , flood forecasting , flood warning , agency (philosophy) , warning system , early warning system , environmental planning , meteorology , geography , environmental resource management , environmental science , computer science , telecommunications , sociology , archaeology , social science
This paper discusses developments in the last five to six years in the provision of operational flood forecasting in England, Wales, and Scotland. Before the formation of the Environment Agency (EA) in England and Wales and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), flood forecasting capabilities were fragmented. Just over a decade ago both organisations received governmental mandates for the provision of flood forecasting and warning nationally, and have as a result in recent years established systems providing national coverage: the National Flood Forecasting System, and Flood Early Warning System (FEWS) Scotland. These have facilitated a rapid expansion of catchments for which forecasts are provided, and the common framework used has enabled a more rapid introduction of scientific advances in forecasting techniques. This paper gives an overview of some of these recent developments, as well as providing an outlook to further developments to be undertaken in the near future. Copyright © 2009 Royal Meteorological Society