AccuWeather and the Royal Meteorological Society Celebrate Milestone Submissions for Weather Photographer of the Year Contest 2020

Published Jun 17, 2020 12:53 PM EDT

Annual contest draws large numbers in submissions showing excitement and passion for weather photography, celebration of nature and the great outdoors

AccuWeather Global Weather Center, June 17, 2020 — AccuWeather and the Royal Meteorological Society (RMetS) are pleased to announce that submissions for the annual Weather Photographer of the Year contest 2020 have surpassed 3,500 entries; a remarkable figure, nearly double the number of entries from this time last year.

The contest kicked off May 14, 2020 and encouraged photographers of all ages and skill levels to contribute their best photos of weather events. In its fifth year, the contest attracts photographers from all over the world, offering a variety of dazzling and beautiful images. This year, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, participants are able to submit pictures regardless of the date upon which they were taken, offering an opportunity for award-worthy pictures in entrants’ archives to be considered. Photo enthusiasts participating are also reminded to observe social distancing guidelines for their respective geographic locations.

To date, there have been over 3,500 entries for the competition, including 320 entries for the “Young Weather Photographer of the Year,” the category for those 17 and under. This is the second year that AccuWeather has partnered with RMetS to sponsor the contest.

“Each year this contest both receives incredible pictures from entries around the world and also demonstrates the active interest and passion people of all backgrounds have for the weather,” said Jesse Ferrell, AccuWeather expert meteorologist, Social Media Manager and one of the judges for this year’s contest. “Contributions to the Weather Photographer of the Year 2020 are made even more special this year due to challenging nature of COVID-19, and the creativity from contestants within the community is on full display. Just as we check our watches every day for the time, the AccuWeather App is a powerful tool to guide their lens and help make sure they don’t miss that perfect weather moment.”

Professor Liz Bentley, Chief Executive of the Royal Meteorological Society and also on the judging panel for this year's contest, added: "Weather Photographer of the Year is a particularly special competition for us this year as it marks the Society's 170th anniversary. The quality and variety of images we receive from all corners of the globe is absolutely outstanding and I always find it interesting to see young enthusiast photographers combining their fascination in weather and climate with their passion for capturing fantastic images. I actually think it's a secret fascination most of us have and this is the perfect opportunity to share it with others and take people on a journey of discovery, even whilst they may be stuck indoors."

Submissions are still currently being accepted, but before taking aim at the next weather event make sure to follow some simple, easy-to-remember tips when immersed in the elements:

Use a tripod for rain photography. Consider getting a large umbrella too and tie it to the tripod with a cable tie.
Raindrops are also best captured when backlit and consider discovering reflections in bodies of water or puddles.
Leave lenses extended when shooting in rainy conditions.
When shooting in foggy conditions, make sure to capitalize on using silhouettes or ensure the subject and focal point are close to the camera.
A longer exposure can also add more depth in a photo when shooting in the fog.
Pay attention to the time of day as many incredible shots are taken while light streams through trees or clouds.
Use your AccuWeather app on iOS or Android for the most accurate, up-to-the minute weather forecasting insights to help prepare for any conditions within an award-winning app.
As always, stay healthy and stay safe.

Entries for the contest are still being accepted through Monday, July 6, 2020. On Friday, August 21, 2020 a shortlist of entrants will be announced in tandem with a public voting period through September 25, 2020. A winner will be announced in the fall. You may find more information on submissions here: rmets.org/photography.

About AccuWeather, Inc. and accuweather.com — AccuWeather, recognized and documented as the most accurate source of weather forecasts and warnings in the world, has saved tens of thousands of lives, prevented hundreds of thousands of injuries and tens of billions of dollars in property damage. With global headquarters in State College, PA and other offices around the world, AccuWeather serves more than 1.5 billion people daily to help them plan their lives and get more out of their day through digital media properties, such as accuweather.com and mobile, as well as radio, television, newspapers, and the 24/7 AccuWeather Network channel. Additionally, AccuWeather produces and distributes news, weather content, and video for more than 180,000 third-party websites. Among AccuWeather’s many innovative and award-winning features available free to the public are MinuteCast^® Minute by Minute™ forecasts with Superior Accuracy™. Furthermore, AccuWeather serves more than half of Fortune 500 companies and thousands of businesses globally. Dr. Joel N. Myers, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, established AccuWeather in 1962 and is considered the “father of modern commercial meteorology.” Dr. Myers, a leading creative thinker and visionary, has been named “the most accurate man in weather” by The New York Times and one of the top entrepreneurs in American history by Entrepreneur’s Encyclopedia of Entrepreneurs.

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About RMetS

Celebrating its 170th anniversary this year, the Royal Meteorological Society (RMetS) is the leading independent expert in weather and climate.

RMetS is a membership charity with a mission to engage, enthuse and educate by promoting the understanding and application of weather and climate science for the benefit of all. The Society works to strengthen the science and raise awareness of the importance of weather and climate, support meteorological professionals and inspire enthusiasts.

The Society's programmes are broad and diverse, with activities and events held for members, the general public and wider meteorological and climate community.

To find out more about the Royal Meteorological Society and becoming a member, please visit: rmets.org

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