Two UK meteorologists have developed a new method of monitoring the effects of climate change in the Earth’s atmosphere using GPS satellites.

The technique uses an existing method, known as GPS radio occultation, that involves measuring the path of radio waves sent between low- and high-orbiting GPS satellites. As the signals travel through the atmosphere, they are refracted by changes in temperature, air density and moisture. By measuring these changes, it’s possible to determine the condition of the Earth’s atmosphere.

Mark Ringer from the Met Office Hadley Centre and Sean Healy from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts have developed a computer model that predicts how GPS signals will behave in response to global warming. They predict that in ten years time, the radio waves will be refracted by as much as four per cent greater than today.