Alan - Flood Forecaster at the Thames Barrier
@alanbarrierea.bsky.social
I work for the Environment Agency at the #ThamesBarrier in the Forecasting and Response team.
⚠️ We've issued a Flood Alert for the tidal Thames from Putney Bridge to Teddington for the high tide early tomorrow morning.
October 22, 2025 at 5:03 PM
⚠️ We've issued a Flood Alert for the tidal Thames from Putney Bridge to Teddington for the high tide early tomorrow morning.
#OnThisDay in 1984, Her Majesty the Queen formally opened London's 520m flood defence across the #Thames, although it had been operational for a couple of years previously.
It has now protected #London from tidal flooding on 221 occasions.
It has now protected #London from tidal flooding on 221 occasions.
May 8, 2025 at 12:46 PM
#OnThisDay in 1984, Her Majesty the Queen formally opened London's 520m flood defence across the #Thames, although it had been operational for a couple of years previously.
It has now protected #London from tidal flooding on 221 occasions.
It has now protected #London from tidal flooding on 221 occasions.
One on, one out.
With the likelihood of an unplanned #ThamesBarrier closure lower in the summer months, traffic on the #Thames gets a little bigger.
Purus Chinook heading to central #London for naming ceremony.
Singapore Navy frigate RSS Formidable leaving after a few days at West India Dock.
With the likelihood of an unplanned #ThamesBarrier closure lower in the summer months, traffic on the #Thames gets a little bigger.
Purus Chinook heading to central #London for naming ceremony.
Singapore Navy frigate RSS Formidable leaving after a few days at West India Dock.
May 6, 2025 at 9:18 AM
One on, one out.
With the likelihood of an unplanned #ThamesBarrier closure lower in the summer months, traffic on the #Thames gets a little bigger.
Purus Chinook heading to central #London for naming ceremony.
Singapore Navy frigate RSS Formidable leaving after a few days at West India Dock.
With the likelihood of an unplanned #ThamesBarrier closure lower in the summer months, traffic on the #Thames gets a little bigger.
Purus Chinook heading to central #London for naming ceremony.
Singapore Navy frigate RSS Formidable leaving after a few days at West India Dock.
It's cruise ship season at the #ThamesBarrier.
@LindbladExp National Geographic Endurance passes outbound following a first visit to #London. Purpose-built for polar navigation, hence the unusual bow.
@LindbladExp National Geographic Endurance passes outbound following a first visit to #London. Purpose-built for polar navigation, hence the unusual bow.
May 2, 2025 at 4:40 PM
It's cruise ship season at the #ThamesBarrier.
@LindbladExp National Geographic Endurance passes outbound following a first visit to #London. Purpose-built for polar navigation, hence the unusual bow.
@LindbladExp National Geographic Endurance passes outbound following a first visit to #London. Purpose-built for polar navigation, hence the unusual bow.
Six gates have been closed at the #ThamesBarrier to assist with a possible full flood defence closure on Sunday.
Tides upstream of Putney will be high from tomorrow afternoon. Expect the Flood Alert to be issued in the morning.
Tides upstream of Putney will be high from tomorrow afternoon. Expect the Flood Alert to be issued in the morning.
March 28, 2025 at 5:11 PM
Six gates have been closed at the #ThamesBarrier to assist with a possible full flood defence closure on Sunday.
Tides upstream of Putney will be high from tomorrow afternoon. Expect the Flood Alert to be issued in the morning.
Tides upstream of Putney will be high from tomorrow afternoon. Expect the Flood Alert to be issued in the morning.
⚠️ High tides expected on the #Thames this weekend.
We're making plans (nothing confirmed) for a #ThamesBarrier closure on Sunday, so some gates will move to the closed position today.
Thankfully the recent dry spell has lowered the flow back to normal for the time of year.
We're making plans (nothing confirmed) for a #ThamesBarrier closure on Sunday, so some gates will move to the closed position today.
Thankfully the recent dry spell has lowered the flow back to normal for the time of year.
March 28, 2025 at 7:14 AM
⚠️ High tides expected on the #Thames this weekend.
We're making plans (nothing confirmed) for a #ThamesBarrier closure on Sunday, so some gates will move to the closed position today.
Thankfully the recent dry spell has lowered the flow back to normal for the time of year.
We're making plans (nothing confirmed) for a #ThamesBarrier closure on Sunday, so some gates will move to the closed position today.
Thankfully the recent dry spell has lowered the flow back to normal for the time of year.
⚠️ I've updated the Flood Alert for the tidal #Thames from #Putney to #Teddington for a high tide this afternoon. May be slightly higher than yesterday.
Expecting high tides each afternoon for the next few days.
Expecting high tides each afternoon for the next few days.
January 30, 2025 at 11:55 AM
⚠️ I've updated the Flood Alert for the tidal #Thames from #Putney to #Teddington for a high tide this afternoon. May be slightly higher than yesterday.
Expecting high tides each afternoon for the next few days.
Expecting high tides each afternoon for the next few days.
You’ll have to trust me with this as it’s a terrible picture, but at least a couple of harbour porpoises are currently swimming upstream of the #ThamesBarrier.
First time I’ve seen them here.
First time I’ve seen them here.
January 6, 2025 at 9:14 AM
You’ll have to trust me with this as it’s a terrible picture, but at least a couple of harbour porpoises are currently swimming upstream of the #ThamesBarrier.
First time I’ve seen them here.
First time I’ve seen them here.
⚠️ Flow from the fluvial River Thames has risen rapidly today, and is forecast to rise further over the next 48 hours.
Although we’re now in neap tides, the low pressure system that brought the snow/rain is also forecast to generate a small surge over next few days.
Busy shift in store tomorrow.
Although we’re now in neap tides, the low pressure system that brought the snow/rain is also forecast to generate a small surge over next few days.
Busy shift in store tomorrow.
January 5, 2025 at 6:00 PM
⚠️ Flow from the fluvial River Thames has risen rapidly today, and is forecast to rise further over the next 48 hours.
Although we’re now in neap tides, the low pressure system that brought the snow/rain is also forecast to generate a small surge over next few days.
Busy shift in store tomorrow.
Although we’re now in neap tides, the low pressure system that brought the snow/rain is also forecast to generate a small surge over next few days.
Busy shift in store tomorrow.
⚠️ High tide this afternoon upriver of the #ThamesBarrier. Flood Alerts in force.
January 3, 2025 at 1:08 PM
⚠️ High tide this afternoon upriver of the #ThamesBarrier. Flood Alerts in force.
⚠️ Our first Flood Alert of the year has been issued by my colleague with high tides forecast overnight and early tomorrow afternoon
Northerly wind will add a little to the astronomical tides for the rest of the week
No property flooding expected hence no #ThamesBarrier closure
Northerly wind will add a little to the astronomical tides for the rest of the week
No property flooding expected hence no #ThamesBarrier closure
January 1, 2025 at 8:45 PM
⚠️ Our first Flood Alert of the year has been issued by my colleague with high tides forecast overnight and early tomorrow afternoon
Northerly wind will add a little to the astronomical tides for the rest of the week
No property flooding expected hence no #ThamesBarrier closure
Northerly wind will add a little to the astronomical tides for the rest of the week
No property flooding expected hence no #ThamesBarrier closure
In the #ThamesBarrier Control Room for the #NewYearEve 2024 Night Shift.
Small improvement in the forecast for the end of the week so the surge isn’t quite as big as I was looking at this time last night.
Small improvement in the forecast for the end of the week so the surge isn’t quite as big as I was looking at this time last night.
December 31, 2024 at 7:45 PM
In the #ThamesBarrier Control Room for the #NewYearEve 2024 Night Shift.
Small improvement in the forecast for the end of the week so the surge isn’t quite as big as I was looking at this time last night.
Small improvement in the forecast for the end of the week so the surge isn’t quite as big as I was looking at this time last night.
A very strange tide this morning due to surge activity meant that recorded high water’s at Southend and Richmond were almost at the same time
Normally more than two hours apart
There was 1.3m surge on the flood tide that eased near to high water’s, creating an unusual profile
Normally more than two hours apart
There was 1.3m surge on the flood tide that eased near to high water’s, creating an unusual profile
December 23, 2024 at 3:35 PM
A very strange tide this morning due to surge activity meant that recorded high water’s at Southend and Richmond were almost at the same time
Normally more than two hours apart
There was 1.3m surge on the flood tide that eased near to high water’s, creating an unusual profile
Normally more than two hours apart
There was 1.3m surge on the flood tide that eased near to high water’s, creating an unusual profile
#StormDarragh incoming.
Fortunately we’re in neap tides so no significant impacts for the tidal #Thames and despite some storm surge, no #ThamesBarrier closures or Flood Alerts expected.
High pressure for next week should settle things down again.
Fortunately we’re in neap tides so no significant impacts for the tidal #Thames and despite some storm surge, no #ThamesBarrier closures or Flood Alerts expected.
High pressure for next week should settle things down again.
December 6, 2024 at 5:50 PM
#StormDarragh incoming.
Fortunately we’re in neap tides so no significant impacts for the tidal #Thames and despite some storm surge, no #ThamesBarrier closures or Flood Alerts expected.
High pressure for next week should settle things down again.
Fortunately we’re in neap tides so no significant impacts for the tidal #Thames and despite some storm surge, no #ThamesBarrier closures or Flood Alerts expected.
High pressure for next week should settle things down again.
Hi, There has, and this was always expected.
When the Barrier was designed they considered sea level rise to be 8-10mm per year. We're actually seeing 3-4mm per year.
Closures per year are increasing, although not as quickly as originally planned.
See www.gov.uk/guidance/the...
When the Barrier was designed they considered sea level rise to be 8-10mm per year. We're actually seeing 3-4mm per year.
Closures per year are increasing, although not as quickly as originally planned.
See www.gov.uk/guidance/the...
November 27, 2024 at 9:28 PM
Hi, There has, and this was always expected.
When the Barrier was designed they considered sea level rise to be 8-10mm per year. We're actually seeing 3-4mm per year.
Closures per year are increasing, although not as quickly as originally planned.
See www.gov.uk/guidance/the...
When the Barrier was designed they considered sea level rise to be 8-10mm per year. We're actually seeing 3-4mm per year.
Closures per year are increasing, although not as quickly as originally planned.
See www.gov.uk/guidance/the...
Night shift 3 of 4 at the #ThamesBarrier.
Flow at Teddington now just under 300 cumecs, with a peak of around 340 metres expected early on Friday morning.
Tides are low thankfully.
Still a busy looking map of Alerts and Warnings in force.
check-for-flooding.service.gov.uk?v=map-live&l...
Flow at Teddington now just under 300 cumecs, with a peak of around 340 metres expected early on Friday morning.
Tides are low thankfully.
Still a busy looking map of Alerts and Warnings in force.
check-for-flooding.service.gov.uk?v=map-live&l...
November 27, 2024 at 7:40 PM
Night shift 3 of 4 at the #ThamesBarrier.
Flow at Teddington now just under 300 cumecs, with a peak of around 340 metres expected early on Friday morning.
Tides are low thankfully.
Still a busy looking map of Alerts and Warnings in force.
check-for-flooding.service.gov.uk?v=map-live&l...
Flow at Teddington now just under 300 cumecs, with a peak of around 340 metres expected early on Friday morning.
Tides are low thankfully.
Still a busy looking map of Alerts and Warnings in force.
check-for-flooding.service.gov.uk?v=map-live&l...
We’re not expecting any immediate impacts from #StormBert over the weekend, but I’ll be monitoring how quickly the river flow rises next week with more rain by the end of next week when I switch to night shifts from Monday.
November 22, 2024 at 4:23 PM
We’re not expecting any immediate impacts from #StormBert over the weekend, but I’ll be monitoring how quickly the river flow rises next week with more rain by the end of next week when I switch to night shifts from Monday.
⚠️ We continue to monitor the tides and will be updating our Flood Alerts this morning for high tides this afternoon.
We're planning for a #ThamesBarrier closure tomorrow as the early afternoon tide is currently forecast to be very high - but this forecast could change.
We're planning for a #ThamesBarrier closure tomorrow as the early afternoon tide is currently forecast to be very high - but this forecast could change.
November 18, 2024 at 8:10 AM
⚠️ We continue to monitor the tides and will be updating our Flood Alerts this morning for high tides this afternoon.
We're planning for a #ThamesBarrier closure tomorrow as the early afternoon tide is currently forecast to be very high - but this forecast could change.
We're planning for a #ThamesBarrier closure tomorrow as the early afternoon tide is currently forecast to be very high - but this forecast could change.
⚠️ High tides forecast over the next few days. Afternoon tides are set to be higher than those overnight.
Flood Alerts will be updated later.
We’re particularly concerned about Tuesday but forecasts are changing as each model updates.
#ThamesBarrier ready for work if required.
Flood Alerts will be updated later.
We’re particularly concerned about Tuesday but forecasts are changing as each model updates.
#ThamesBarrier ready for work if required.
November 17, 2024 at 7:05 AM
⚠️ High tides forecast over the next few days. Afternoon tides are set to be higher than those overnight.
Flood Alerts will be updated later.
We’re particularly concerned about Tuesday but forecasts are changing as each model updates.
#ThamesBarrier ready for work if required.
Flood Alerts will be updated later.
We’re particularly concerned about Tuesday but forecasts are changing as each model updates.
#ThamesBarrier ready for work if required.
⚠️ Flood Alerts have been issued for the tidal #Thames for high tides this afternoon and tonight.
Riverside roads and footpaths will flood at high tide but no property flooding expected.
Riverside roads and footpaths will flood at high tide but no property flooding expected.
November 16, 2024 at 12:28 PM
⚠️ Flood Alerts have been issued for the tidal #Thames for high tides this afternoon and tonight.
Riverside roads and footpaths will flood at high tide but no property flooding expected.
Riverside roads and footpaths will flood at high tide but no property flooding expected.