Background

Formerly known as United Kingdom Advisory Storm Forecasts (UKASF), Convective Weather is a voluntary-run organisation founded in April 2008, and run by a small team of meteorologists and storm chasers to provide daily convective (thunderstorm) forecasts for the United Kingdom.

Forecasts

Forecasts for convective weather are typically issued each evening and are valid for the whole of the forthcoming day(s). The forecasts are accompanied by a map with each threat level plotted as an overlay onto a zoomable Google map, alongside a static map for use in social media or forums. A detailed text summary highlights the regions at risk of convective weather, and explains fully the setup and conditions that may allow convective weather to occur.

Since 2014 we now issue forecasts, when necessary, for up to the next five days to act as a 'heads up' for any convective weather that may occur beyond the next 24 hours - this is, however, subject to forecaster availability and time constraints. The threat levels have been specifically created for typical convective setups experienced across the United Kingdom and cater for excessive precipitation, damaging hail, tornadoes and disruptive convectively-induced winds.

Since the service is voluntary, there may be occasions where forecasts are not issued, or issued later than normal. If no forecast is issued it must be assumed that this is due to a lack of forecaster availability, and that convective weather is still possible. One notable period each year when this is more likely to occur is during the months of May and June when our forecasters are likely to be storm chasing in the United States.

It must be noted that our products are intended to be used as a tool for highlighting areas that may exhibit some convective potential and do not serve as warnings; it is the responsibility of the Met Office to warn the public of severe weather.

The Team

Our small team of forecasters work for Weatherquest Ltd, based at the University of East Anglia in Norwich, and are fully-qualified meteorologists with experience in storm chasing. They are are also occasionally seen on BBC Look East and on BBC Local Radio in the Eastern Counties as relief weather presenters.

Chris Twitter: @stormbell Originally from Texas, Chris has a Masters degree in Operational Meteorology from Mississippi State University, and spent one year studying abroad at the University of East Anglia during his undergraduate degree at Louisiana State University. Understandably, Chris also has years of experience storm chasing having spent many years in Texas. Along with several trips to the Great Plains he has also chased Hurricanes Lili and Isabel, and Tropical Storm Allison.

Dan Twitter: @danholley_ Dan obtained his BSc in Meteorology and Oceanography at the University of East Anglia, and has since published his final year dissertation in the International Journal of Climatology, producing and analysing a climatology of convective available potential energy in Great Britain. Having lived in Kent for the majority of his life, he has witnessed several big thunderstorm events courtesy of our French neighbours, and chases storms both in the UK and in the US Plains every year.

You can contact the team by using our contact page.