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The Trouble Sum Weather

Curious Cases Rutherford and Fry

Why is it so difficult to predict the weather? Science sleuths Drs Rutherford and Fry investigate. From 2019.

"Why is it so difficult to predict the weather?" asks Isabella Webber, aged 21 from Vienna.

"I am sure there are many intelligent meteorologists and it seems rather straight forward to calculate wind speed, look at the clouds, and data from the past to make accurate predictions, but yet it’s not possible."

Adam delves into the history of forecasting with author Andrew Blum, beginning with the mystery of a lost hot air balloon full of Arctic explorers.

Hannah visits the ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Weather Centre to talk to meteorologist and presenter Helen Willetts about how forecasting has changed, and whether people get annoyed at her if she gets the forecast wrong.

Plus mathematician Steven Strogatz suggests a chaotic explanation as to why we can't produce the perfect forecast.

Presenters: Hannah Fry, Adam Rutherford
Producer: Michelle Martin

First broadcast on ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4 in 2019.

Available now

35 minutes

Last on

Thu 17 Mar 2022 21:45
ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4 Extra

More episodes

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The End of EverythingRutherford and Fry

Next

The Horrible HangoverRutherford and Fry

See all episodes from Curious Cases

Broadcasts

  • Wed 27 Nov 2019 09:30
    ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
  • Wed 27 Nov 2019 20:45
    ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
  • Sat 30 Nov 2019 05:45
    ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4 FM
  • Sun 13 Mar 2022 10:45
    ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4 Extra
  • Sun 13 Mar 2022 21:45
    ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4 Extra
  • Thu 17 Mar 2022 11:45
    ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4 Extra
  • Thu 17 Mar 2022 21:45
    ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4 Extra

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Podcast

  • Curious Cases

    Hannah Fry and Dara Γ“ Briain tackle listeners' conundrums with the power of science!