A new weather information resource to explore how environmental data could help towards the effects of climate change and how it could be used in other weather modelling disciplines is being developed in Bristol.

Led by Dr Dawei Han from Bristol University's Department of Civil Engineering, Professor Paul Bates from the Department of Geographical Sciences, and supported by land data providers, the Landmark Information Group, the project will focus on statistical weather analysis for the country.

Researchers will use the University’s supercomputer facility ‘ Blue Crystal’, one of the most powerful in the UK, and together with the latest in numerical weather modelling technology, will deliver precise wind, temperature, solar radiation and humidity data.

With the increasing awareness of climate change, many people are interested in installing renewable energy systems around their homes. As a result, statistical information of weather variables around the human living environment is very valuable.

Dr Han, Reader in Civil and Environmental Engineering, said: “This project is an extremely exciting one to be embarking on. People have always been interested in the weather and climate elements around their living environment. Working with Landmark on this research will result in some fascinating and extremely useful data.”

Stephen Stout, Group Managing Director of Landmark Information Group, said: “This is a fantastic project to be involved with. The team at Bristol University are experts in their field, so it is wonderful to be working with them on such an exciting project. We are very much looking forward to seeing the results.”

The nine-month project will be based in the Department of Civil Engineering and is due to finish in Spring 2009.