Interview with incoming EMS President Florence Rabier

Florence Rabier will be taking over as EMS President from Liz Bentley on 11 September 2026, at the end of this year’s EMS Annual Meeting in Utrecht. We have interviewed Florence about her career path, her view of this office and the perspectives for EMS under her leadership.

Could you present yourself in a few sentences?

Florence: I hold a PhD in meteorology and have spent my entire career in the field of Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP), working at both Météo-France and the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) in Reading, United Kingdom, where I served as Director-General for ten years.

My research focused on data assimilation and the use of satellite observations. Beyond the intellectual satisfaction of working on state-of-the-art forecasting systems, what has always motivated me most is knowing that the science we develop has a direct benefit for society. Being able to predict where and when a storm will strike, or how severe a heatwave will be days or even weeks in advance, is essential for helping communities prepare and respond.

I have also found it highly rewarding to contribute to monitoring climate change, air quality, floods and wildfire risk through ECMWF’s partnership with the European Union on the Copernicus Programme, as well as to the development of a Digital Twin of the Earth through the Destination Earth initiative. More recently, what has excited me most has been the emergence of Machine Learning in weather forecasting, bringing powerful new methods that complement and enhance our forecasting capabilities.

Since retiring from ECMWF at the beginning of this year, I have become a Non-Executive Director at the UK Met Office, where I continue to contribute to the strategic development of a leading National Meteorological Service. I am also a member of the French Academy of Technologies.

What made you choose to become a meteorologist?

Florence: My interest in meteorology grew out of both my passion for mathematics and science and my childhood experiences. I grew up in southwest France, close to the Atlantic Ocean and the Pyrenees, where I was fascinated by the constantly changing weather. One day could be cold, wet and windy with north-westerly winds; the next could be warm and sunny with a southerly breeze. I also experienced major storms and spectacular waves along the Atlantic coast.

These experiences gave me an early appreciation of both the complexity of the atmosphere and the importance of accurate weather prediction for society.

How have you been involved in Meteorological Societies and the EMS until now?

Florence: For many years, I have been a member of three national meteorological societies: the French Meteorological Society (Météo et Climat), the Royal Meteorological Society in the UK, and the American Meteorological Society.

Being part of these societies is an excellent way to engage with the wider meteorological community. They provide opportunities to understand the aspirations and challenges of academia, national meteorological services, research institutes and private companies, while exchanging ideas and exploring together how to advance our science.

As Director-General of ECMWF, I became closely involved with the EMS, as ECMWF is an Associate Member and contributes to its governance. I have also attended several EMS Annual Meetings and was honoured to receive the EMS Silver Medal in Ljubljana last year, which was a particular highlight of my career.

What made you agree to be nominated as a candidate for EMS President?

Florence:As I mentioned earlier, I firmly believe in the value of meteorological societies. I am equally convinced of the importance of international collaboration, particularly at the European level. The EMS embodies both of these principles, so accepting the nomination for its Presidency felt like a natural step.

Following my retirement from a full-time operational role, I knew I would have more time to dedicate to serving the community in this capacity. That said, succeeding Liz Bentley is certainly a little daunting. She has done an outstanding job, and I know I have very big shoes to fill.

What would your priorities be for the EMS in the coming years?

Florence: What motivates me most is the opportunity to bring my experience in meteorology and European collaboration to the EMS at a time when our field is undergoing profound transformation. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, cloud computing, and the increasing availability of satellite data from private providers are reshaping the way we develop and deliver weather and climate services. At the same time, we face the growing challenge of misinformation and disinformation about climate change.

These developments raise important questions about how we can work together across Europe to seize new opportunities while addressing emerging challenges. I believe the EMS has an important role to play in fostering dialogue, collaboration and innovation within our community.

I am also committed to ensuring that the EMS continues to meet the evolving needs of its members and delivers even greater value to them and to pursue the transition to Net Zero as initiated and championed by Liz Bentley. Finally, I am a strong advocate for mentoring and supporting the next generation of scientists and practitioners in an inclusive way, and I look forward to exploring with the EMS leadership how we can further strengthen our efforts in this area.