Manx forecaster's warning over rising sea levels
The Isle of Man must prioritise improving coastal defences as sea levels continue to rise, a veteran weather forecaster has said. Adrian Cowin, who recently retired after a 40-year career, said weather events will become "more extreme, more often" due to climate change. Mr Cowin said action needed to be taken to prepare for a potential increase in severe gales, flooding and snow. Improvements could take decades but it was important to start now, he added. The former senior met officer, who worked at Ronaldsway Met Office, said the measures would "buy some time for scientists, engineers and decision makers". But now was a "good time for people to be aware of their impact, however small, on the global warming effects caused by greenhouse gases". Mr Cowin said during his career he had noticed temperatures become "much milder" in line with most of the world. Thirty years ago there were between five and six frosty days per month during January and February on the Isle of Man, but now there are between two and three, he said. The former forecaster said he had also witnessed huge changes in the tools meteorologists use to put forecasts together, which used to be made up of "manual readings from thermometers, wind gauges and rain gauges". The advances in technology during his decades of forecasting have meant the Met Office team are now relied upon to deliver long range forecasts to keep up with the "growing appetite" for weather information, he said. But Mr Cowin, who was on duty during extreme weather events such as the severe coastal flooding in Douglas in 2002 and the heavy snow of 2013 , said daily local forecasts were as "important as ever". "A regional office can add to that value of the weather warnings to help people take care," he added. On his retirement, he said was proud to have had the "the opportunity to help people stay safe, I got great job satisfaction from that". But he said he would not miss being on duty during settled periods of weather as they were "pleasant for most people, but boring for weathermen". Why not follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and Twitter ? You can also send story ideas to IsleofMan@bbc.co.uk Isle of Man's July was wettest since records began Isle of Man records hottest June on record Isle of Man sees hottest year on record in 2022 Sunken gardens storm damage repairs to cost 200k Latest Manx climate change targets revealed In Pictures: The island under snow Isle of Man Government - Weather Isle of Man Freemasons donate to Sight Matters Kaytlyn's on top of the world! Charities to host free self-harm awareness event Western Swimming Pool searches for its first swimmers ahead of 20th anniversary Motorist with no address narrowly avoids prison after driving offences Defendant accused of possessing indecent images of children Morocco rescuers dig with bare hands as foreign aid sent US denies Cold War with China in historic Vietnam visit How Russia and West agreed on Ukraine G20 language How Russia and West agreed on Ukraine G20 language US denies Cold War with China in historic Vietnam visit 'Everyone in this village is either dead or missing' A Serbian scientist's long quest to name Srebrenica's dead How chronic pain feels for me. Video How chronic pain feels for me Guyana scrambles to make the most of oil wealth The spongy creatures cleaning Zanzibar's oceans. Video The spongy creatures cleaning Zanzibar's oceans Inside a 'hijacked' South African building. Video Inside a 'hijacked' South African building The rise and fall of a parenting influencer Florida's first hurricane-proof town The greatest spy novel ever written? Why is everyone crazy about Aperol? 2023 BBC.