with weather and climate science

how increasingly vital this information is as society shifts to generating more electricity from weather-dependent renewable sources. These uses range from energy traders using short-term forecasts to predict the next hour’s gas prices to energy producers analysing seasonal forecasts to predict consumer energy supply and demand a few months in advance and to plan new renewable and traditional power plants over the next 50 years. RMetS helps people in the energy sector enhance their work by accessing and using the latest weather and climate information advances and wants to help meteorologists within energy companies feel supported in their vital work through membership of the Society.

The Energy Special Interest Group (SIG) was founded in September 2022 drawn from government, academia and the private sector. RMetS acts as a bridge between weather/ climate academics and energy sector professionals by facilitating knowledge exchange, demystifying meteorological terminology and data, and providing networking opportunities. The SIG’s first event was a huge success, with over 200 attendees discussing how energy professionals use seasonal forecasts. The Society will build on this interest as we continue to engage with the energy sector.

Supporting youth and early careers

Over recent years, young people have become a key part of the discussion and influence around weather and climate. Their passion and enthusiasm are helping to drive policy and public opinion, which in turn also directly affects the changes to the insurance and energy sectors. Of course, these same young people form the future of these industries and are our future climate scientists and researchers. Engaging with them in a meaningful way at the start of their career and providing them with the support they need is essential to ensure future progress.

To this end, the Youth and Early Careers Special Interest Group was formed in October 2022 to represent students and young meteorologists within academia and professional practice. As well as hosting specific events and networking opportunities, the group is also acting as an advisory body to help guide the Society’s strategy and priorities in supporting this important group of members and potential members. Much of the group’s early work has centred on reviewing how we engage with young people. However, we hope to begin our public-facing activities with events and other projects in the coming months.

Want to get involved?

If any of these new special interest groups are of interest to you, there is more information available on the RMetS website at www.rmets.org/specialinterest-groups. We’re always keen to involve new voices in these discussions, and engagement with the wider physical sciences is key to helping RMetS continue to support the advancement of climate science and support professionals working in sectors affected by weather and climate.

If you think a career in meteorology could be the right path for you, check out the resources available on the RMetS website at www.rmets.org/careers. And, if you want to become a member of RMetS, no matter what your background or level of interest, from enthusiast to academic or professional, we would love to hear from you: see www.rmets.org/membership for details.