UK Water Supply Dwindles as Spring's Record Dryness Lingers
Water supplies continue to drop across the UK as the driest start to spring in more than a half-century continues to stretch out, reinforcing fears about usage restrictions and drought.
Reservoirs in England and Wales were about 85% full at the end of April, which is below long-term norms and a drop from roughly 90% recorded a month prior, according to a new report from the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology. Scotland's reservoir levels are also unseasonably low.
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Gary England, Award-Winning and Innovative Oklahoma Meteorologist, Dies at 85: ‘Deeply and Forever Missed'
Gary England, who spent 41 years as a meteorologist at CBS affiliate KTVW, has died at age 85, according to the station England is best known for helping create multiple weather warning systems for television and won numerous awards for his innovative work "Gary was proud to have protected Oklahoma from its deadliest storms," his family said in a statementGary England, a beloved meteorologist and innovator in the industry, has died at the age of 85. England spent 41 years informing viewers about Oklahoma's often volatile weather at CBS affiliate KWTV, and was a pioneer in weather technology, according to the news station. In a statement shared by KWTV, England's family said he 'passed peacefully on the evening of June 10th, surrounded by his loved ones, including his wife of 63 years, Mary, and his loving daughter, Molly." They added, 'Gary was proud to have protected Oklahoma from its deadliest storms. He will be deeply and forever missed." England was born on Oct. 3, 1939, and hailed from Selling, Okla., according to the Selling Chamber of Commerce. He began to study weather while serving in the U.S. Navy at age 17, shortly after graduating high school. In 1965, England received a degree in mathematics and meteorology from the University of Oklahoma. He then spent four years as a consulting meteorologist and oceanographer with A.H. Glenn and Associates in New Orleans before returning to Oklahoma, where he began his broadcasting career. England began working for KTVW in 1972. In 1981, England became the first on-air meteorologist to use a commercial Doppler weather radar to warn viewers of possible tornadoes, according to the news station. In the early 1990s, England helped develop First Warning, which provided viewers with instant weather warnings on their television screens, and Storm Tracker, which is now used nationwide to provide viewers with storms' projected paths and timing. In addition to his innovations, England also made a cameo in the 1996 film Twister and was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame in 2013. He also wrote four books and received many awards, including three Emmys and the National Edward R. Murrow Award for Best in the Nation in the category of breaking news and weather, according to KTVW. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. England retired from his role at KTVW in August 2013 and joined the station's parent company, Griffin Communications, as Vice President for Corporate Relations and Weather Development, per the Selling Chamber of Commerce. Oklahoma Senator James Lankford paid tribute to England and his work in a statement shared on X after the meteorologist's death was announced. "Cindy and I are saddened by the passing of Gary England—a U.S. Navy veteran and pioneering force in television meteorology,' the senator wrote. Lankford added, 'His innovations in advanced warnings undoubtedly saved countless lives across the country. Generations of Oklahomans remember well his winsome, 'Let's check it out' and his celebration each week of 'Friday night in the big town.' He was our early warning and our calm in the storm.' Read the original article on People
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Weather legend Gary England dies at 85: Social media floods with tributes to mentor, icon
Following the news of Gary England's death on Tuesday, June 10, Oklahomans around the state shared their memories of working with and watching the trailblazing meteorologist. The Seiling, Oklahoma, native started at the Oklahoma City CBS-affiliated TV station in 1972 and retired in 2013 after 41 years of service. When he stepped away from the green screens in the News 9 Weather Center, England was lauded by NPR as "Oklahoma's Master Meteorologist," while The New York Times hailed him as "The Weather God of Oklahoma City." Since the announcement during Tuesday night's broadcast, several have taken the time to share their memories of the broadcaster. Senator James Lankford, R-Oklahoma, shared a statement with the media Wednesday morning: 'Cindy and I are saddened by the passing of Gary England—a U.S. Navy veteran and pioneering force in television meteorology. Born and raised in Seiling, Oklahoma, Gary earned international recognition for his groundbreaking innovations in weather technology, including implementing the world's first commercial Doppler weather radar in 1981 and becoming the first person in history to use it to issue direct warnings to the public. His innovations in advanced warnings undoubtedly saved countless lives across the country. Generations of Oklahomans remember well his winsome, 'Let's check it out' and his celebration each week of 'Friday night in the big town.' He was our early warning and our calm in the storm. Cindy and I are praying for his wife, Mary, of 63 years, and all who loved him as they grieve his loss.' Other members of Oklahoma's broadcasting community also chimed in with their favorite memories and the inspiration that England left upon them. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Gary England dies at 85: Meteorologists, Oklahomans share memories
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Gary England, pioneering News 9 Oklahoma meteorologist, dies at 85
Trailblazing meteorologist Gary England, who for four decades told Oklahoma television audiences to "Stay tuned; we'll keep you advised," died Tuesday, June 10. He was 85. A native of Seiling, Oklahoma, England retired in 2013 as the chief meteorologist for KWTV, over 40 years after he first joined the CBS-affiliated station. KWTV co-anchor Amanda Taylor announced England's death June 10 on the channel's 10 p.m. newscast. When he stepped away from the green screens of the News 9 Weather Center after several decades, England was lauded by the news world: NPR dubbed him "Oklahoma's Master Meteorologist," while The New York Times hailed him as "The Weather God of Oklahoma City." "Gary England was a weather coverage pioneer; there is no telling how many future meteorologists he influenced in his many years making weather science available and understandable to as many Oklahomans as possible," Sherry Marshall, the CEO of Science Museum Oklahoma, wrote in an email to The Oklahoman, part of the USA TODAY Network. "He 'raised' an entire generation of future meteorologists who now carry on his legacy. "Beyond his impact on future generations, countless lives were saved through his commitment and dedication to building better weather awareness and keeping us safe," she continued. "Gary England simply shaped the way Oklahomans understand weather." Born Oct. 3, 1939, to Hazel and Leslie England, the future weatherman was still a teenager when he charged a $16 camera to his father's drug store account and started taking photographs of the clouds rolling across the northwestern Oklahoma skies. "I liked storms. They scared the heck out of me, but I loved them. I always was just that way," England told The Oklahoman in a 2002 interview. After graduating from Seiling High School in 1957, he joined the Navy with plans to be in the Navy Weather Service. He completed his service after just shy of three years, immediately returning to Oklahoma to attend college. He met his future wife, Mary Carlisle, during a short stint at Southwestern Oklahoma State University before transferring to the University of Oklahoma, where he completed his bachelor's degree in mathematics and meteorology in 1965. England joined Oklahoma City's KTOK radio in 1971 and landed at KWTV the following year. England quickly became internationally acclaimed for his innovations in forecasting technology. With the firm Enterprise Electronics, England implemented the world's inaugural commercial Doppler weather radar in 1981, becoming the first person in history to use Doppler radar for direct warnings to the public. Not just a familiar face on the air, England's was a technological pioneer, developing tools that are now commonplace in severe weather coverage, including the storm "time of arrival" warning system, corner screen warning maps and cellular still picture and video transmission. "Gary England was one of the pioneers of modern television meteorology. He developed the storm tracker system … and charmed two generations of viewers," Bob Burke, an Oklahoma City historian, wrote in an email to The Oklahoman. "Perhaps his greatest asset was his ability to keep latchkey children calm in the face of a deadly tornado coming their way," he added. With a folksy, friendly demeanor and quirky sayings, England was able to connect with Oklahoma viewers, helping them to better understand weather phenomena and take the proper precautions when needed, Burke explained. The meteorologist became famed for opening his Friday night weather reports by declaring, "It's Friday night in the big town," a tribute to his small-town upbringing. "Gary was a great husband, father, and one of the friendliest people who I ever met in life. He was truly one of the good guys," Burke said. The author of four books, England made a memorable cameo in the opening moments of the hit 1996 movie "Twister," which was filmed and set in Oklahoma. He appeared in more than 60 national and international severe weather programs, particularly after the historically devastating EF5 tornado that tore through Moore, Oklahoma on May 3, 1999. "That tornado almost took me out of the business," England told The Oklahoman in 1999. "It was horrible. I couldn't believe it was happening. … But I love what I do and I'm still here." During his four-decade broadcasting career, England earned numerous state, regional and national honors, including multiple Emmys, the Silver Circle Award by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, Heartland Division, and the prestigious Edward R. Murrow Award for best in the nation in breaking weather coverage in all large markets. He was inducted into the Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2002 and the Oklahoma Hall of Fame in 2013. "He was a true Oklahoma icon whose groundbreaking work in meteorology not only earned him international recognition but, more importantly, provided Oklahomans with vital information needed to stay safe during severe weather," Shannon L. Rich, president and CEO of the Oklahoma Hall of Fame, wrote in an email to the Oklahoman. "His legacy of innovation, dedication to the safety of the general public, and ability to make learning about weather fun will forever be a source of immense pride for our state." Upon his retirement as News 9 chief meteorologist in 2013, England assumed a new role at KWTV as the vice president for corporate relations and weather development at Griffin Communications. He was named the University of Oklahoma's consulting meteorologist in residence two years later. England is survived by his wife, Mary, daughter, Molly, and grandchildren Chloe and Cassidy. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Gary England death: Oklahoma News 9 meteorologist dies at 85
