merrion street

The Annual Conference of the European Meteorological Society (EMS) – the biggest event in European meteorology in 2017 – kicks off at The Helix, DCU today, Monday September 4th. Around 800 Meteorologists and Climatologists will spend the week from September 4th to 8th discussing a myriad of scientific topics related to the atmosphere. The Conference also has sessions on the engagement of weather sciences with society.

The conference is organised by the EMS in conjunction with the Irish Meteorological Society and with Met Éireann. Scientists attending for the week will focus on the theme of “Serving Society with better Weather and Climate Information”.

Mr Eoin Moran, Director of Met Éireann, commented that “Irish people have a unique relationship with the weather, so it is entirely fitting that this week we host weather experts from across Europe and beyond. This conference will help to develop and deepen our understanding of Europe’s weather and climate, and to apply this deeper understanding for the overall benefit of society”.

The President of the Irish Meteorological Society, Mr Declan Murphy, said that “It is a great honour to bring this conference to Ireland, which for the next week will be the centre of European meteorology. Recent events – both in Ireland and abroad – have shown only too clearly that our atmosphere retains an awesome and untamed power. Science has made great strides in understanding and predicting weather in recent decades, but much remains to be done”.

More information on the conference can be found at www.ems2017.eu or media are invited to contact Gerald Fleming, Head of Forecasting with Met Éireann at 087-2200815 for a more detailed briefing.