Strathclyde University Researcher Leads Innovative European Project on Extreme Weather
A visionary researcher from a renowned university in Glasgow is spearheading a groundbreaking European initiative aimed at enhancing the prediction and management of extreme weather events. This ambitious project, known as ANTICIPATE, seeks to revolutionize early warning systems across the continent.
Dr. Chris White’s leadership in this pioneering venture is set to establish the first-ever network that bridges the gap between researchers, operational forecasters, and decision-makers specializing in climate dynamics, multi-hazard forecasting, and disaster risk reduction.
This visionary effort is supported by a European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) Action grant, which funds collaborative research throughout Europe. The four-year endeavor will see the collaboration of 46 participants from 26 countries, integrating insights from national meteorological services, including the UK’s Met Office and the Icelandic Meteorological Office, as well as contributions from the World Meteorological Organization and the Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre.
Dr. White, a member of Strathclyde’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, articulated the transformative impact of ANTICIPATE: “Our initiative aims to revolutionize how we forecast, communicate, and respond to extreme weather events. By bringing together experts from diverse disciplines and sectors, we seek to bridge critical gaps and advance multi-hazard early warnings that can better preserve lives, livelihoods, and infrastructure.”
Currently, the extent of forecasting systems is limited to 10 days, with a focus on individual hazards like floods or heatwaves. ANTICIPATE strives to create operational systems that advance forecasting capabilities and apply them to real-world situations involving multiple hazards simultaneously.
An additional objective of the network involves empowering the next generation of experts. This will be achieved through various activities such as summer schools, academic exchanges, workshops, and conferences, particularly aimed at PhD students and early-career researchers.
Dr. White emphasized the urgency of the initiative in light of increasing extreme weather events exacerbated by climate change. “This action will help Europe prepare more effectively for potential risks, allowing informed and timely responses,” he noted.
ANTICIPATE is slated to officially commence its activities later this autumn, marking a critical step toward improving Europe’s resilience against the growing threat of extreme weather conditions.
This project stands as one of the 70 new Actions endorsed this year by the COST governing board, a testament to the significance and timeliness of its objectives.
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