Richard Forbes

Principal Scientist
Research, Earth System Modelling, Physical Processes

Summary:

Richard leads the team working on the representation of atmospheric physical processes in the ECMWF global numerical weather prediction model (the Integrated Forecasting System, IFS) to improve forecasts across space- and time-scales. He has a particular interest in the representation of clouds and precipitation in models and has used a wide range of observations to evaluate models across space and time scales, and understand physical processes and their interactions.

Professional interests:
  • Improving numerical weather prediction from days to seasonal timescales
  • Parametrization of cloud and precipitation microphysics and sub-grid processes
  • Using observations for evaluation of atmospheric models
  • Understanding interactions between different atmospheric processes
Career background:
  • 2024-present: Team Leader Physical Processes, Principal Scientist, Research Department, ECMWF
  • 2022-2023: Team Leader Physical Processes, Senior Scientist, Research Department, ECMWF
  • 2010-2021: Senior Scientist, Research Department, ECMWF
  • 2007-2010: Scientist (Atmospheric Processes), Research Department, ECMWF
  • 2004: Secondment to Norwegian Meteorological Institute, Oslo, Norway
  • 1998-2007: Scientist (Mesoscale and Convective-scale Processes), Joint Centre for Mesoscale Meteorology, Met Office, Reading, UK
  • 1998-2001: PhD (Extra-tropical Cyclones), Dept of Meteorology, University of Reading, UK
  • 1992-1998: Scientist (Ocean Modelling and Data Assimilation), Met Office, Bracknell, UK
External recognitions
  • 2024-present: Member of GEWEX Scientific Steering Group
  • 2016-2019: Member of the Scientific Advisory Committee for KIAPS, South Korea
  • 2007-2012: Chair of the Royal Meteorological Society Meetings Committee and Council Member
  • 2003: European Meteorological Society Young Scientist Award
  • 1995: Fellow of the Royal Meteorological Society (FRMetS)