Michael Sleigh
@msleigh.io
Head of Integrated Forecast Systems at ECMWF. Ex-physicist (previously Group Leader for Computational Physics at AWE). Interested in HPC, software, scientific computing, classical guitar, music
Reposted by Michael Sleigh
Will the government be announcing its new National Centre for Information Defence on X or
September 23, 2026 at 9:19 AM
Will the government be announcing its new National Centre for Information Defence on X or
Reposted by Michael Sleigh
I believe we should be making more of a fuss about this, guys. Our objections only gets traction if we make politicians very visibly aware of them. Email your MP! Write a letter!
Worrying scenes in the Channel today, for all interested in asylum policy and maritime tactics.
A small boat from Normandy spent more than 30 hours at sea. Those on board now on their 2nd rescue vessel as Border Force forced to play cat and mouse with far-right activists who have their own boat.
A small boat from Normandy spent more than 30 hours at sea. Those on board now on their 2nd rescue vessel as Border Force forced to play cat and mouse with far-right activists who have their own boat.
September 23, 2026 at 8:01 AM
I believe we should be making more of a fuss about this, guys. Our objections only gets traction if we make politicians very visibly aware of them. Email your MP! Write a letter!
Reposted by Michael Sleigh
Watch the excellent John Humphrys talking to me as part of his documentary ‘The Royals: Time to Go?’ on Channel 4 at 9 tonight!
Are the Royal Family public servants or not?
And if they are, then why do they have a blanket exemption on rules that others have to follow?
In July I introduced a Bill to end outrageous Royal exemptions in the Freedom of Information Act.
You can read it here: bills.parliament.uk/bills/4267
And if they are, then why do they have a blanket exemption on rules that others have to follow?
In July I introduced a Bill to end outrageous Royal exemptions in the Freedom of Information Act.
You can read it here: bills.parliament.uk/bills/4267
September 22, 2026 at 6:31 PM
Watch the excellent John Humphrys talking to me as part of his documentary ‘The Royals: Time to Go?’ on Channel 4 at 9 tonight!
Reposted by Michael Sleigh
Worrying scenes in the Channel today, for all interested in asylum policy and maritime tactics.
A small boat from Normandy spent more than 30 hours at sea. Those on board now on their 2nd rescue vessel as Border Force forced to play cat and mouse with far-right activists who have their own boat.
A small boat from Normandy spent more than 30 hours at sea. Those on board now on their 2nd rescue vessel as Border Force forced to play cat and mouse with far-right activists who have their own boat.
September 22, 2026 at 5:43 PM
Worrying scenes in the Channel today, for all interested in asylum policy and maritime tactics.
A small boat from Normandy spent more than 30 hours at sea. Those on board now on their 2nd rescue vessel as Border Force forced to play cat and mouse with far-right activists who have their own boat.
A small boat from Normandy spent more than 30 hours at sea. Those on board now on their 2nd rescue vessel as Border Force forced to play cat and mouse with far-right activists who have their own boat.
Reposted by Michael Sleigh
Far-right activist Daniel Thomas slashes dinghy with blade while rescue worker onboard
Far-right activist Daniel Thomas slashes dinghy with blade while rescue worker onboard
Thomas called followers to disrupt arrival of asylum seekers in Gosport, but Border Force instead transported them to Dover
Charities have condemned footage of far-right activist Daniel Thomas using a blade to slash an inflatable dinghy in the Channel while a rescue worker was onboard, in a further escalation of organised anti-immigration protest.
Hundreds of protesters gathered in the early evening at Gosport in Hampshire, aiming to disrupt the planned disembarkation of asylum seekers, but the Border Force vessels carrying them landed instead in Dover. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
September 22, 2026 at 10:36 PM
Far-right activist Daniel Thomas slashes dinghy with blade while rescue worker onboard
Reposted by Michael Sleigh
Users of ECMWF data now have the option of signing up for direct delivery of the ERA5T reanalysis data via ECMWF's Product Requirements Catalogue.
ERA5T is an initial release version of ERA5, issued every day, 5 days behind real time.
Read more ➡️ www.ecmwf.int/en/about/med...
ERA5T is an initial release version of ERA5, issued every day, 5 days behind real time.
Read more ➡️ www.ecmwf.int/en/about/med...
September 21, 2026 at 1:53 PM
Users of ECMWF data now have the option of signing up for direct delivery of the ERA5T reanalysis data via ECMWF's Product Requirements Catalogue.
ERA5T is an initial release version of ERA5, issued every day, 5 days behind real time.
Read more ➡️ www.ecmwf.int/en/about/med...
ERA5T is an initial release version of ERA5, issued every day, 5 days behind real time.
Read more ➡️ www.ecmwf.int/en/about/med...
Garlic chives are earning their place
September 20, 2026 at 10:26 AM
Garlic chives are earning their place
Reposted by Michael Sleigh
The RNLI has said the abuse of volunteers in Portsmouth has forced it to close the lifeboat station there and stop operating since September 10. Nearby stations have been providing cover to the area instead. One of the UK's largest coastal cities without a lifeboat because of the far-right.
September 17, 2026 at 1:24 PM
The RNLI has said the abuse of volunteers in Portsmouth has forced it to close the lifeboat station there and stop operating since September 10. Nearby stations have been providing cover to the area instead. One of the UK's largest coastal cities without a lifeboat because of the far-right.
Reposted by Michael Sleigh
Trying to forecast the future on a Galton board
September 16, 2026 at 4:59 PM
Trying to forecast the future on a Galton board
Reposted by Michael Sleigh
chaos from bouncing a ball in a circle-
at each point, I simulate a bunch of futures with slightly different velocities- showing how predictable the system would be with measurement error.
The system seems to move between Stable Eras and Chaotic Eras, where it is hard to predict four bounces ahead
at each point, I simulate a bunch of futures with slightly different velocities- showing how predictable the system would be with measurement error.
The system seems to move between Stable Eras and Chaotic Eras, where it is hard to predict four bounces ahead
September 14, 2026 at 1:15 PM
chaos from bouncing a ball in a circle-
at each point, I simulate a bunch of futures with slightly different velocities- showing how predictable the system would be with measurement error.
The system seems to move between Stable Eras and Chaotic Eras, where it is hard to predict four bounces ahead
at each point, I simulate a bunch of futures with slightly different velocities- showing how predictable the system would be with measurement error.
The system seems to move between Stable Eras and Chaotic Eras, where it is hard to predict four bounces ahead
Reposted by Michael Sleigh
Oh blimey, here we go again. Time to vote in the National Trust AGM to keep so-called 'Restore Trust' off the council. Use the quick vote to ensure we don't split the anti-Restore vote. Or.... 1/2 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/who-we-are/a...
Annual General Meeting
Your Annual General Meeting will take place online and in person on Saturday 7th November 2026 at the STEAM Museum, Swindon.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk
September 11, 2026 at 4:20 PM
Oh blimey, here we go again. Time to vote in the National Trust AGM to keep so-called 'Restore Trust' off the council. Use the quick vote to ensure we don't split the anti-Restore vote. Or.... 1/2 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/who-we-are/a...
Reposted by Michael Sleigh
I’ve been trying to formulate opinions about this for a while. I still don’t know how to communicate what I am experiencing, thinking, & feeling. Lot’s of nuance.
The truth is LLM coding tools are too efficient & effective to be ignored anymore. Yes they’re flawed, but so is human intelligence.
The truth is LLM coding tools are too efficient & effective to be ignored anymore. Yes they’re flawed, but so is human intelligence.
September 11, 2026 at 10:57 PM
I’ve been trying to formulate opinions about this for a while. I still don’t know how to communicate what I am experiencing, thinking, & feeling. Lot’s of nuance.
The truth is LLM coding tools are too efficient & effective to be ignored anymore. Yes they’re flawed, but so is human intelligence.
The truth is LLM coding tools are too efficient & effective to be ignored anymore. Yes they’re flawed, but so is human intelligence.
Reposted by Michael Sleigh
A truly biblical hailstorm brought an abrupt end to our holiday outside Zurich yesterday. I wonder if the climate is changing ?
August 29, 2026 at 8:01 AM
A truly biblical hailstorm brought an abrupt end to our holiday outside Zurich yesterday. I wonder if the climate is changing ?
Reposted by Michael Sleigh
A break in the clouds helped make D-Day possible.
Ahead of the release of new film Pressure, University of Reading's Prof Ed Hawkins and ECMWF reconstructed the weather conditions of 6 June 1944, showing how a few hours either way could have changed history.
Read more: https://rdg.ac/4hT1fQh
Ahead of the release of new film Pressure, University of Reading's Prof Ed Hawkins and ECMWF reconstructed the weather conditions of 6 June 1944, showing how a few hours either way could have changed history.
Read more: https://rdg.ac/4hT1fQh
August 27, 2026 at 9:43 AM
A break in the clouds helped make D-Day possible.
Ahead of the release of new film Pressure, University of Reading's Prof Ed Hawkins and ECMWF reconstructed the weather conditions of 6 June 1944, showing how a few hours either way could have changed history.
Read more: https://rdg.ac/4hT1fQh
Ahead of the release of new film Pressure, University of Reading's Prof Ed Hawkins and ECMWF reconstructed the weather conditions of 6 June 1944, showing how a few hours either way could have changed history.
Read more: https://rdg.ac/4hT1fQh
Reposted by Michael Sleigh
In case you're wondering about the best way to spend your evening.
August 25, 2026 at 8:11 PM
In case you're wondering about the best way to spend your evening.
Reposted by Michael Sleigh
Reposted by Michael Sleigh
'Lunar eclipses occur when the Moon is full which will take place in the early hours of 28 August. It may cause the full Moon - nicknamed the Sturgeon Moon - to take on an eerie reddish glow.'
Blood Moon partial lunar eclipse: How and when to see it in UK skies
There will be a partial lunar eclipse in the UK on 28 August, and may cause the Moon appear reddish in colour.
www.bbc.co.uk
August 25, 2026 at 6:55 AM
'Lunar eclipses occur when the Moon is full which will take place in the early hours of 28 August. It may cause the full Moon - nicknamed the Sturgeon Moon - to take on an eerie reddish glow.'
Reposted by Michael Sleigh
I’m off to Edinburgh today ahead of my seven shows at this year’s Fringe. As ever, my train ‘journey’ has got off to a spectacular start.
August 23, 2026 at 8:56 AM
I’m off to Edinburgh today ahead of my seven shows at this year’s Fringe. As ever, my train ‘journey’ has got off to a spectacular start.
Reposted by Michael Sleigh
This explainer out of Australia is genuinely useful background and analysis of what happened with the Canada-US trade deal last night. Note that it is extremely and delightfully sweary. Also there’s an appended glossary of Australian slang.
ifloz.substack.com/p/king-carne...
ifloz.substack.com/p/king-carne...
KING CARNEY ACTIVATES KONG MODE WITH ZERO FUCKS
Carney Reads the Clock Like a Pro Wrestler
ifloz.substack.com
August 23, 2026 at 3:25 AM
This explainer out of Australia is genuinely useful background and analysis of what happened with the Canada-US trade deal last night. Note that it is extremely and delightfully sweary. Also there’s an appended glossary of Australian slang.
ifloz.substack.com/p/king-carne...
ifloz.substack.com/p/king-carne...
Reposted by Michael Sleigh
Rainbow over Shifnal this evening - couldn't resist sending up my drone 🙂 #Shropshire
August 21, 2026 at 9:05 PM
Rainbow over Shifnal this evening - couldn't resist sending up my drone 🙂 #Shropshire
Reposted by Michael Sleigh
www.bbc.co.uk/weather/arti... I had an early brief on this and ordered a pallet of sandbags for my marginally flood-prone house. They’re easy to obtain in the middle of a drought! This is a good article by the BBC covering some of the global impacts to be expected from such a strong El Niño.
El Niño set to be 'strongest in living memory', says Met Office
Scientists say the growing El Niño weather pattern is an "unprecedented event" and means 2027 is likely to be the world's hottest year on record.
www.bbc.co.uk
August 21, 2026 at 6:26 AM
www.bbc.co.uk/weather/arti... I had an early brief on this and ordered a pallet of sandbags for my marginally flood-prone house. They’re easy to obtain in the middle of a drought! This is a good article by the BBC covering some of the global impacts to be expected from such a strong El Niño.
Calling all spreadsheet people!
If you’re using agentic coding / LLMs /AI to help develop or maintain large-scale modelling code - in any field, not just weather and climate - we’d love to hear about it
If you’re using agentic coding / LLMs /AI to help develop or maintain large-scale modelling code - in any field, not just weather and climate - we’d love to hear about it
📢 2 weeks to go!
Abstract submissions for our workshop on software strategies for sustainable physical modelling close 4 September.
We’re looking for contributions on HPC, programming languages, ML, open-source software, testing and more.
📍 Reading | 23–27 Nov 2026
➡️ events.ecmwf.int/event/529/
Abstract submissions for our workshop on software strategies for sustainable physical modelling close 4 September.
We’re looking for contributions on HPC, programming languages, ML, open-source software, testing and more.
📍 Reading | 23–27 Nov 2026
➡️ events.ecmwf.int/event/529/
August 21, 2026 at 5:55 AM
Calling all spreadsheet people!
If you’re using agentic coding / LLMs /AI to help develop or maintain large-scale modelling code - in any field, not just weather and climate - we’d love to hear about it
If you’re using agentic coding / LLMs /AI to help develop or maintain large-scale modelling code - in any field, not just weather and climate - we’d love to hear about it
Reposted by Michael Sleigh
📢 2 weeks to go!
Abstract submissions for our workshop on software strategies for sustainable physical modelling close 4 September.
We’re looking for contributions on HPC, programming languages, ML, open-source software, testing and more.
📍 Reading | 23–27 Nov 2026
➡️ events.ecmwf.int/event/529/
Abstract submissions for our workshop on software strategies for sustainable physical modelling close 4 September.
We’re looking for contributions on HPC, programming languages, ML, open-source software, testing and more.
📍 Reading | 23–27 Nov 2026
➡️ events.ecmwf.int/event/529/
August 20, 2026 at 2:21 PM
📢 2 weeks to go!
Abstract submissions for our workshop on software strategies for sustainable physical modelling close 4 September.
We’re looking for contributions on HPC, programming languages, ML, open-source software, testing and more.
📍 Reading | 23–27 Nov 2026
➡️ events.ecmwf.int/event/529/
Abstract submissions for our workshop on software strategies for sustainable physical modelling close 4 September.
We’re looking for contributions on HPC, programming languages, ML, open-source software, testing and more.
📍 Reading | 23–27 Nov 2026
➡️ events.ecmwf.int/event/529/
Reposted by Michael Sleigh
phrasing of this (great) news mildly disturbing
London children's lungs growing if anything too fast. children outside the capital already caught. if the ULEZ is not stopped, by 2032 all of south east england will be lung.
London children's lungs growing if anything too fast. children outside the capital already caught. if the ULEZ is not stopped, by 2032 all of south east england will be lung.
This stopped me in my tracks.
An independent study by @qmul.bsky.social has found that after ULEZ was introduced, children’s lungs grew faster in Central London and have now caught up with children outside of the capital. Incredible.
An independent study by @qmul.bsky.social has found that after ULEZ was introduced, children’s lungs grew faster in Central London and have now caught up with children outside of the capital. Incredible.
Air pollution stunts children’s lung growth. New Queen Mary research found that improvements in air quality after the introduction of London’s ULEZ are associated with accelerated lung growth in children.
Read more: shorturl.at/Jx86o
Read more: shorturl.at/Jx86o
August 19, 2026 at 9:05 AM
phrasing of this (great) news mildly disturbing
London children's lungs growing if anything too fast. children outside the capital already caught. if the ULEZ is not stopped, by 2032 all of south east england will be lung.
London children's lungs growing if anything too fast. children outside the capital already caught. if the ULEZ is not stopped, by 2032 all of south east england will be lung.