Helen Dacre

Medal record
Women's water polo
Representing   United Kingdom
World Championships

Helen Dacre is a British scientist and athlete. She is currently professor of dynamical meteorology at the University of Reading. ^[1] Her work on modelling and predicting the path of the Eyjafjallajökull volcanic ash plume was pivotal in the reopening of European airspace in a timely manner. ^[2] She has previously represented Great Britain in water polo at the European, Commonwealth and World Championships. ^[3]

Sporting career

Dacre represented Great Britain at a number of international water polo competitions. ^{[3] [4] [5]} At the 2003 World Aquatics Championships in Barcelona, Dacre was a regular fixture in the GB line up. ^{[6] [7] [8]}

Research career

Dacre's research focuses on the development of extratropical cyclones, pollution transport through the atmosphere and volcanic ash dispersion. ^[9] Her cyclone tracking algorithms are in widespread operational use. ^{[10] [11]}

Dacre's volcanic ash dispersion model is central to the Met Office aviation safety forecasts. ^[12] Following the 2010 eruption of Iceland's Eyjafjallajökull volcano, European airspace was closed with a cost to the global airline industry an estimated $200 million per day ^[13] Dacre's assessment of the accuracy of ash models is credited with reducing airspace closure times, in particular reducing the economic impact of the 2011 Grímsvötn eruption. ^{[2] [14]}

References