<div dir="ltr">Met Office to provide space weather forecasts<p> The UK <strong>Met Office</strong> plan to provide forecasts of solar flares, space storms and solar wind from Spring 2014 <br><br>They say a £4.6M investment in this innovative system by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) will help protect the technologies our day-to-day lives rely on.<br>
<br> Severe solar flares, space storms and solar wind can disrupt satellites, GPS, power grids and radio communications.<br><br> Space weather forecasts, running all day, every day from spring 2014, will allow government and businesses to take swift action to ensure services are maintained.<br>
<br> Universities and Science Minister, David Willetts, said: "The sun is in constant flux, and the possibly damaging impact of this solar activity is growing as people become more reliant on satellite technology. <br>
<br>"Space is one of the Eight Great Technologies of the future and I'm pleased that this worthwhile project has received the funding it's due. These forecasts will ensure that businesses can plan ahead, keeping us at the forefront of the global race."<br>
<br> The £4.6M investment, spread over the next three years, will allow the Met Office to build on its partnership with the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's ( NOAA) National Weather Service, sharing knowledge and expertise in space weather forecasting.<br>
<br> Press release <br><a href="http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/news/releases/archive/2013/space-weather-forecasts" target="_blank"><font color="#0066cc">http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/news/releases/archive/2013/<br> space-weather-forecasts</font></a><br>
<br> BBC News Story<br><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-25517466" target="_blank"><font color="#0066cc">http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-25517466</font></a> </p></div>