Met Office to get 1.2bn super-computer with worlds best rainfall prediction after Storm Dennis

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MINISTERS are to supply the Met Office with a 1.2billion super-computer that predicts rainfall levels in advance.

The kit, to be unveiled today after a weekend of Storm Dennis havoc, will give the UK the worlds most advanced weather forecasts.

A woman is rescued in Wales as Storm Dennis hits the UK

It will be able to map climate change effects, recommend where to build flood defences and which flights to cancel, ministers claim.

Energy companies will also benefit by planning for wind or collar power blackouts and surges.

Business Secretary Alok Sharma said: Over the last 30 years, new technologies have meant more accurate weather forecasting, with storms being predicted up to five days in advance.

Come rain or shine, our significant investment for a new supercomputer will further speed up weather predictions, helping people be more prepared for weather disruption from planning travel journeys to deploying flood defences.

The investment is being made to mark the UKs hosting the next UN climate conference in December, COP26.

A Cabinet minister yesterday blamed climate change for the major storms Ciara and Dennis that have battered Britain in the last week.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: Were building those flood defences as quickly as we can construct them.

It is a fact of climate change well have to do more going forward.

A car passes over Teston Bridge near Maidstone in Kent as Storm Dennis brings heavy rain and flooding across the country