Weather
How to predict the weather using clouds
Did you know you can forecast the weather just by reading the clouds? Our expert guide by author of 'Reading the Clouds' Oliver Perkins explains how to identify common cloud formations and how they can be used to predict the weather
Britain's worst storms: from 1607 to 2024
Our guide looks at the worst storms to hit the UK since records began, from the 1607 Bristol Channel floods to the nationwide floods of 2013 and the recent storms of 2024
Do storms affect our mood and mental health? If you enjoy them, then you're not alone
The unstoppable power and might of stormy weather can remind us of our place in the world. Ellie Harrison explores why rain falling on a roof calms us down and why the sound of wind stimulates us...
Britain’s coldest winters – from 1946 to 2024
While parts of the UK may only experience a light dusting of snow, in other areas a deep blanket can form. Here's our guide on the best places in Britain to see snow and tips on how to stay safe
Britain's toughest animals – and how they survive the cold in winter
Only the strong survive a cold climate. How does UK wildlife cope in winter and which are the hardiest species found in the UK?
12 weirdest weather phenomena, according to meteorologists
We get a lot of weather in Britain. But just when you think you’ve seen it all, you may be lucky enough to witness one of the strange and startling atmospheric phenomena that occur occasionally here.
Countryfile winter weather forecast: Will we have a white Christmas?
Our expert winter weather guide explains what a white Christmas is and whether we are likely to have one in the UK this year, plus a look back at snowy Christmases past
Great Drought of 1976: what happened and what was the impact on Britain?
In the summer of 1976, a heatwave held Britain in its shimmering, searing thrall. The land cracked, gardens withered and reservoirs lay parched and bare. We look back on the Great Drought of 1976 and the impact it had on British people, wildlife, farming and the landscape.
April showers: what are they and why is it so rainy in April?
We often think of April as a rainy month, but is it really the wettest? Here we explore the science of April showers, terminology and take a look at the average rainfall in the month of April.
The Great Storm of 1987: what happened and how did it change weather forecasting?
The Great Storm of 1987 caused devastation across southern England and claimed the lives of 18 people. Meteorologists and journalists John Hammond and Sara Thornton look back on that 'night to remember'.
Podcast: A Cotswold ramble to discover how wind and solar could provide all of the UK's energy needs
Learn how green energy from wind and solar could provide all of the UK's future energy needs with naturalist and ecological advisor Simon Pickering.
Water shortage in the UK: what's the problem and how to save water
The Environment Agency has warned that within 25 years England will not have enough water to meet demand, mostly as a result of climate change. Here we investigate the UK's water crisis, exploring how it's linked to climate change, plus how you can save water and money on your water bill.
How the UK's seasons are changing and the impact on the countryside
From summer droughts to mild winters and snowy snaps in spring, the UK seasons appear to be changing. Our expert seasonal weather guide considers if and how the seasons are changing and the potential impact for nature.
How to make the most of a snow day
Wrap up warm make the most of a snow day with our pick of fun activities for children.
Ellie Harrison: The hazards of filming in extreme weather
Ellie Harrison recounts the challenge of filming in the eye of last year’s Beast from the East
Keep track of weather and climate from your smart phone? We review the Netatmo Smart Home Weather Station
Keep track of the climatic and environmental data in and around your home with these clever devices that measure everything from rainfall to CO2 levels – and beam them to your phone.
UK weather 2018: how the extreme weather has impacted on the countryside
2018 has been a year of exceptional temperatures. The winter was long and cold, and reached a crescendo with Storm Emma, the ‘Beast from the East’. After a brief hot spell in late April, the unseasonably cold weather returned. June and July, in contrast, were unusually hot and dry. We take a look at how the natural world and the farming industry have coped with the extreme weather
Heatwave sparks millions of bioluminescent plankton off Welsh coast
The recent heatwave has caused a rise in bioluminescent plankton on Britain's shores. Last week, this spectacular and rare phenomenon was spotted at Aberavon Beach in Port Talbot
How to make a weathervane for children
Tame the most elusive of the elements with a collection of everyday objects
The night the sea swept in: looking back on the North Sea Flood
The North Sea flood of February 1953 devastated the east coast, with 307 lives lost. Now, more than 60 years on, Jules Pretty looks back at the tragedy and how it has altered the area forever.
My Countryside interview: John Hammond
The BBC Countryfile weatherman on the highs of hills, close calls with tearaway tractors and his wise grandfather Harry