James Allan
@jamesallanatmos.bsky.social
Long haired atmospheric scientist at the University of Manchester and NCAS. Opinions my own.
Reposted by James Allan
Drought isn't just about a lack of rainfall.
As the climate warms, higher temperatures increase evaporation and dry out soils more quickly, meaning droughts can develop faster, become more severe, and affect new regions.
ncas.ac.uk/what-does-cl...
#earth-science #SciComm 🧪
As the climate warms, higher temperatures increase evaporation and dry out soils more quickly, meaning droughts can develop faster, become more severe, and affect new regions.
ncas.ac.uk/what-does-cl...
#earth-science #SciComm 🧪
What does climate change mean for drought? - NCAS
Climate change is reshaping drought by increasing evaporation and drying soils faster, causing droughts to develop more quickly, become more severe, and affect new regions. Research shows that drought...
ncas.ac.uk
August 6, 2026 at 1:31 PM
Drought isn't just about a lack of rainfall.
As the climate warms, higher temperatures increase evaporation and dry out soils more quickly, meaning droughts can develop faster, become more severe, and affect new regions.
ncas.ac.uk/what-does-cl...
#earth-science #SciComm 🧪
As the climate warms, higher temperatures increase evaporation and dry out soils more quickly, meaning droughts can develop faster, become more severe, and affect new regions.
ncas.ac.uk/what-does-cl...
#earth-science #SciComm 🧪
Reposted by James Allan
With prolonged hot weather, and wildfires burning across parts of Europe and North America, we explain what these events mean for the climate:
#earth-science #SciComm 🧪
ncas.ac.uk/what-do-wild...
#earth-science #SciComm 🧪
ncas.ac.uk/what-do-wild...
What do wildfires mean for climate change? - NCAS
Wildfires contribute to climate change by releasing greenhouse gases and other pollutants into the atmosphere, and by triggering vegetation changes.
ncas.ac.uk
August 3, 2026 at 9:43 AM
With prolonged hot weather, and wildfires burning across parts of Europe and North America, we explain what these events mean for the climate:
#earth-science #SciComm 🧪
ncas.ac.uk/what-do-wild...
#earth-science #SciComm 🧪
ncas.ac.uk/what-do-wild...
Article about the wildfires I get quoted in.
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
‘One spark could reignite swathes of the country’: wildfi...
Wildfires are becoming a systemic seasonal threat, posing serious risks to health, homes and the natural world across the UK
observer.co.uk
August 2, 2026 at 8:54 PM
Article about the wildfires I get quoted in.
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Reposted by James Allan
With prolonged hot weather, and wildfires burning across the UK and Europe, what does this mean for air quality in the affected areas or places downwind?
ncas.ac.uk/what-do-wild...
#earth-science #SciComm 🧪
ncas.ac.uk/what-do-wild...
#earth-science #SciComm 🧪
What do wildfires mean for air quality? - NCAS
Wildfires can have significant impacts on air quality, as wildfire smoke contains a mixture of hazardous air pollutants.
ncas.ac.uk
July 29, 2026 at 2:32 PM
With prolonged hot weather, and wildfires burning across the UK and Europe, what does this mean for air quality in the affected areas or places downwind?
ncas.ac.uk/what-do-wild...
#earth-science #SciComm 🧪
ncas.ac.uk/what-do-wild...
#earth-science #SciComm 🧪
Reposted by James Allan
Saharan dust pollution in Europe is increasing, with implications for both public health and solar energy.
#earth-science #SciComm 🧪
ncas.ac.uk/desert-dust-...
#earth-science #SciComm 🧪
ncas.ac.uk/desert-dust-...
Desert dust pollution in Europe is rising, with risks for health and solar energy - NCAS
The amount of desert dust from North Africa that is reaching Europe is on the rise, with implications for health and for solar energy.
ncas.ac.uk
July 28, 2026 at 12:36 PM
Saharan dust pollution in Europe is increasing, with implications for both public health and solar energy.
#earth-science #SciComm 🧪
ncas.ac.uk/desert-dust-...
#earth-science #SciComm 🧪
ncas.ac.uk/desert-dust-...
OK, I normally don't like to talk politics on BlueSky, but this does for me highlight an important point. Discussions about what the power grids can and can't handle are a lot more complicated than many people with strong opinions are willing to concede.
Data Centers are not "job creators."
They are resource extractors, siphoning off our water and power.
They are resource extractors, siphoning off our water and power.
July 29, 2026 at 7:56 AM
OK, I normally don't like to talk politics on BlueSky, but this does for me highlight an important point. Discussions about what the power grids can and can't handle are a lot more complicated than many people with strong opinions are willing to concede.
While the supersite has been doing loads of measurements of the current wildfires, here's another example of its use, helping to quantify the increasing prevalence of desert dust in Europe in this Swiss-lead study.
@manchester.ac.uk @ncas-uk.bsky.social
www.manchester.ac.uk/about/news/m...
@manchester.ac.uk @ncas-uk.bsky.social
www.manchester.ac.uk/about/news/m...
Manchester air quality data helps reveal growing health and energy risks from Saharan dust
Data collected at The University of Manchester's Air Quality Supersite has contributed to a major international study showing that increasing amounts of desert dust from North Africa are reaching Euro...
www.manchester.ac.uk
July 16, 2026 at 9:24 AM
While the supersite has been doing loads of measurements of the current wildfires, here's another example of its use, helping to quantify the increasing prevalence of desert dust in Europe in this Swiss-lead study.
@manchester.ac.uk @ncas-uk.bsky.social
www.manchester.ac.uk/about/news/m...
@manchester.ac.uk @ncas-uk.bsky.social
www.manchester.ac.uk/about/news/m...
Update on the fires at Manchester. Some people (like me) might be wondering why the smell has been coming and going, but all the while the sky has been persistently hazy. Our instruments see this as well, here showing PM coming and going. (1/2)
whitworth.cas.manchester.ac.uk/live/firs/ae...
whitworth.cas.manchester.ac.uk/live/firs/ae...
July 14, 2026 at 3:32 PM
Update on the fires at Manchester. Some people (like me) might be wondering why the smell has been coming and going, but all the while the sky has been persistently hazy. Our instruments see this as well, here showing PM coming and going. (1/2)
whitworth.cas.manchester.ac.uk/live/firs/ae...
whitworth.cas.manchester.ac.uk/live/firs/ae...
A satellite picture from yesterday showing how the fires have been influencing Manchester. Note it's not affecting the whole are at the same time, which is why the smell has been coming and going all day.
Source: NASA Aqua/MODIS true colour reflectance 12/07/2026, worldview.earthdata.nasa.gov
Source: NASA Aqua/MODIS true colour reflectance 12/07/2026, worldview.earthdata.nasa.gov
July 13, 2026 at 2:48 PM
A satellite picture from yesterday showing how the fires have been influencing Manchester. Note it's not affecting the whole are at the same time, which is why the smell has been coming and going all day.
Source: NASA Aqua/MODIS true colour reflectance 12/07/2026, worldview.earthdata.nasa.gov
Source: NASA Aqua/MODIS true colour reflectance 12/07/2026, worldview.earthdata.nasa.gov
Reposted by James Allan
Estimated 2,700 people died early in the UK in the May and June heatwaves.
Research led by Clair Barnes @imperial.ac.uk Piece by @dpcarrington.bsky.social.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Research led by Clair Barnes @imperial.ac.uk Piece by @dpcarrington.bsky.social.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
June heatwave killed up to 440 people a day in England and Wales, data suggests
Extreme temperatures in May and June led to about 2,700 lost lives in total with climate crisis adding 3C to 4C
www.theguardian.com
July 13, 2026 at 6:56 AM
Estimated 2,700 people died early in the UK in the May and June heatwaves.
Research led by Clair Barnes @imperial.ac.uk Piece by @dpcarrington.bsky.social.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Research led by Clair Barnes @imperial.ac.uk Piece by @dpcarrington.bsky.social.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Last night's data from the Manchester Air Quality Supersite. We had some serious influence from the fires. (1/2)
whitworth.cas.manchester.ac.uk/live/firs/ae...
whitworth.cas.manchester.ac.uk/live/firs/ae...
July 13, 2026 at 5:34 AM
Last night's data from the Manchester Air Quality Supersite. We had some serious influence from the fires. (1/2)
whitworth.cas.manchester.ac.uk/live/firs/ae...
whitworth.cas.manchester.ac.uk/live/firs/ae...
Think we're seeing the emissions from the nearby Dovestone moorland fire at the Manchester supersite. That's pretty nasty!
whitworth.cas.manchester.ac.uk/live/firs/ae...
whitworth.cas.manchester.ac.uk/live/firs/ae...
July 12, 2026 at 6:06 PM
Think we're seeing the emissions from the nearby Dovestone moorland fire at the Manchester supersite. That's pretty nasty!
whitworth.cas.manchester.ac.uk/live/firs/ae...
whitworth.cas.manchester.ac.uk/live/firs/ae...
Reposted by James Allan
"Seventy years after the Clean Air Act, the lessons are clear. Disasters should not be required to trigger action. The Great Smog forced change. But policy should anticipate risk, not respond to tragedy."
- Ian Williams on the Clean Air Act.
theconversation.com/70-years-on-...
- Ian Williams on the Clean Air Act.
theconversation.com/70-years-on-...
70 years on from the killer smog: what clean air laws teach us about power, pollution and profit
Economic interests have shaped society’s response to pollution. Now, policy needs to align with the scientific evidence to clean up our air.
theconversation.com
July 3, 2026 at 1:35 PM
"Seventy years after the Clean Air Act, the lessons are clear. Disasters should not be required to trigger action. The Great Smog forced change. But policy should anticipate risk, not respond to tragedy."
- Ian Williams on the Clean Air Act.
theconversation.com/70-years-on-...
- Ian Williams on the Clean Air Act.
theconversation.com/70-years-on-...
Reposted by James Allan
Yesterday marked 70 years since the UK Clean Air Act 1956 - the first national legislation to tackle air pollution, introduced in response to the devastating Great Smog of London in 1952.
The graphic below is courtesy of airqualitystripes.info.
🧵 1/5
The graphic below is courtesy of airqualitystripes.info.
🧵 1/5
July 6, 2026 at 10:46 AM
Yesterday marked 70 years since the UK Clean Air Act 1956 - the first national legislation to tackle air pollution, introduced in response to the devastating Great Smog of London in 1952.
The graphic below is courtesy of airqualitystripes.info.
🧵 1/5
The graphic below is courtesy of airqualitystripes.info.
🧵 1/5
Reposted by James Allan
The Data Integration Model for Air Quality underpins the @who.int assessment of global air pollution trends and inequalities. Find out about the latest update from NCAS’s Dr Matthew Thomas:
ncas.ac.uk/ncas-air-qua...
ncas.ac.uk/ncas-air-qua...
July 3, 2026 at 1:32 PM
The Data Integration Model for Air Quality underpins the @who.int assessment of global air pollution trends and inequalities. Find out about the latest update from NCAS’s Dr Matthew Thomas:
ncas.ac.uk/ncas-air-qua...
ncas.ac.uk/ncas-air-qua...
This is a major WHO air quality evaluation exercise that a @manchester.ac.uk/ @ncas-uk.bsky.social colleague of mine (Matthew Thomas) contributed to. (1/2)
www.manchester.ac.uk/about/news/u...
www.manchester.ac.uk/about/news/u...
University of Manchester research supports major WHO update on global air pollution
A researcher from The University of Manchester has contributed to a major World Health Organization (WHO) update revealing that global progress on reducing air pollution has slowed, with low- and midd...
www.manchester.ac.uk
June 30, 2026 at 4:29 PM
This is a major WHO air quality evaluation exercise that a @manchester.ac.uk/ @ncas-uk.bsky.social colleague of mine (Matthew Thomas) contributed to. (1/2)
www.manchester.ac.uk/about/news/u...
www.manchester.ac.uk/about/news/u...
Some of our recent stove work is now out there, albeit in preprint. I don't normally advertise work until it's passed peer-review, but people have been bugging me about it. Paper is by Zixuan, a PhD student of mine who is graduating soon. (1/4)
ar.copernicus.org/preprints/ar...
ar.copernicus.org/preprints/ar...
Mixing state of Carbonaceous Aerosol Emissions from an Ecodesign Woodstove
Abstract. Residential wood burning (RWB) has become an increasingly significant source of carbonaceous aerosols (CAs) in the UK and worldwide. Black Carbon (BC) and Organic Aerosol (OA) fractions of C...
ar.copernicus.org
June 30, 2026 at 1:48 PM
Some of our recent stove work is now out there, albeit in preprint. I don't normally advertise work until it's passed peer-review, but people have been bugging me about it. Paper is by Zixuan, a PhD student of mine who is graduating soon. (1/4)
ar.copernicus.org/preprints/ar...
ar.copernicus.org/preprints/ar...
I did an article for NCAS explaining how heatwaves can bad for air quality as well as all the other problems they come with. The short version is with all the chemistry going on and air arriving from the continent, they are especially bad for PM and ozone. 🧵(1/6)
Heatwaves often come hand-in-hand with poor air quality. NCAS’s @jamesallanatmos.bsky.social explains:
ncas.ac.uk/what-do-heat...
#earth-science #SciComm 🧪
ncas.ac.uk/what-do-heat...
#earth-science #SciComm 🧪
What do heatwaves mean for air quality? - NCAS
Besides bringing risks to the environment, infrastructure, and people’s physical and mental health, heatwaves also affect air quality.
ncas.ac.uk
June 25, 2026 at 12:17 PM
I did an article for NCAS explaining how heatwaves can bad for air quality as well as all the other problems they come with. The short version is with all the chemistry going on and air arriving from the continent, they are especially bad for PM and ozone. 🧵(1/6)
Reposted by James Allan
If you'd like to learn more about air pollution and its links to people's health and global climate, check out this list of our recent and ongoing research:
#CleanAirDay @globalactionplan.bsky.social
#earth-science #SciComm 🧪
#CleanAirDay @globalactionplan.bsky.social
#earth-science #SciComm 🧪
June 18, 2026 at 1:28 PM
If you'd like to learn more about air pollution and its links to people's health and global climate, check out this list of our recent and ongoing research:
#CleanAirDay @globalactionplan.bsky.social
#earth-science #SciComm 🧪
#CleanAirDay @globalactionplan.bsky.social
#earth-science #SciComm 🧪
This is the bit that should be very concerning: "Météo-France said of the 51 heatwaves recorded in France since 1947, 34 have taken place since 2000 and 26 since 2011."
Schools close as more than half of France under red heat alerts
The health minister warns many citizens "will suffer", with temperatures set to peak on Monday.
www.bbc.co.uk
June 22, 2026 at 11:29 AM
This is the bit that should be very concerning: "Météo-France said of the 51 heatwaves recorded in France since 1947, 34 have taken place since 2000 and 26 since 2011."
OK, not atmospheric science, but I did used to teach biogeochemical cycling and had to bone up on the phosphate cycle in the process. This is really kind of interesting.
Since I did do my PhD in cyanobacteria growth and treatment optimization modeling AND work in the water treatment industry, I’m gonna share my theory as to what’s happening here and how to fix it.
People are focusing on the painted bottom of the pool increasing residual heat, and while that 1/19
People are focusing on the painted bottom of the pool increasing residual heat, and while that 1/19
RIP Mark Rothko. You would have loved how the hydrogen peroxide bleach is only turning the Reflecting Pool blue around the perimeter
June 19, 2026 at 3:51 PM
OK, not atmospheric science, but I did used to teach biogeochemical cycling and had to bone up on the phosphate cycle in the process. This is really kind of interesting.
🚨New paper!🚨
Well, it's not that new, but I was waiting for a proper citation before I made a big deal about it.
This one's another paper from one of my students, this one looking at trends of metals in particulates over the lockdown period at the Manchester Supersite.
doi.org/10.1021/acse...
Well, it's not that new, but I was waiting for a proper citation before I made a big deal about it.
This one's another paper from one of my students, this one looking at trends of metals in particulates over the lockdown period at the Manchester Supersite.
doi.org/10.1021/acse...
PM10 Contributions from Construction, Biomass Burning, and Nonexhaust Traffic Emissions at the UK Urban Background Site, Based on Online Metals Data
Atmospheric trace metals in particulate matter (PM) pose significant environmental and health risks, making their study crucial for understanding urban air quality. These metals originate from various...
doi.org
June 19, 2026 at 1:16 PM
🚨New paper!🚨
Well, it's not that new, but I was waiting for a proper citation before I made a big deal about it.
This one's another paper from one of my students, this one looking at trends of metals in particulates over the lockdown period at the Manchester Supersite.
doi.org/10.1021/acse...
Well, it's not that new, but I was waiting for a proper citation before I made a big deal about it.
This one's another paper from one of my students, this one looking at trends of metals in particulates over the lockdown period at the Manchester Supersite.
doi.org/10.1021/acse...
Reposted by James Allan
This #CleanAirDay, research from @ncas-uk.bsky.social highlights how understanding air quality across different settings can help protect health and support better decisions for communities across the UK and beyond.
ncas.ac.uk/clean-air-da...
#earth-science #SciComm 🧪
ncas.ac.uk/clean-air-da...
#earth-science #SciComm 🧪
Air quality research links people, places and health - NCAS
This Clean Air Day, NCAS highlights how understanding air quality can help protect people and support better decisions.
ncas.ac.uk
June 18, 2026 at 11:57 AM
This #CleanAirDay, research from @ncas-uk.bsky.social highlights how understanding air quality across different settings can help protect health and support better decisions for communities across the UK and beyond.
ncas.ac.uk/clean-air-da...
#earth-science #SciComm 🧪
ncas.ac.uk/clean-air-da...
#earth-science #SciComm 🧪
Reposted by James Allan
Airports drive growth and connectivity, but their pollution can harm nearby communities.
Prof Ally Lewis highlights the health impacts of airports on local residents in a report for POST. Read our summary:
ncas.ac.uk/air-pollutio...
#earth-science #SciComm 🧪
Prof Ally Lewis highlights the health impacts of airports on local residents in a report for POST. Read our summary:
ncas.ac.uk/air-pollutio...
#earth-science #SciComm 🧪
Air pollution from airports matters to local communities - NCAS
Professor Alastair Lewis talks about airports, air pollution, health, regulation, and the role of atmospheric scientists.
ncas.ac.uk
June 10, 2026 at 1:12 PM
Airports drive growth and connectivity, but their pollution can harm nearby communities.
Prof Ally Lewis highlights the health impacts of airports on local residents in a report for POST. Read our summary:
ncas.ac.uk/air-pollutio...
#earth-science #SciComm 🧪
Prof Ally Lewis highlights the health impacts of airports on local residents in a report for POST. Read our summary:
ncas.ac.uk/air-pollutio...
#earth-science #SciComm 🧪
I'd observe the 'Mandela effect' is alive and well in climate change denial, based on a range of demonstrably false statements that are espoused as fact that I can only assume have done the rounds in the echo chambers. How many of these have you heard stated as fact? 🧵 (1/8)
June 2, 2026 at 7:59 PM
I'd observe the 'Mandela effect' is alive and well in climate change denial, based on a range of demonstrably false statements that are espoused as fact that I can only assume have done the rounds in the echo chambers. How many of these have you heard stated as fact? 🧵 (1/8)