Met Office: Volcanic ash update
19-Apr-2010 Eruptions from the Eyjafjallajokull volcano are weaker than they were at the weekend but eruptions still take ash over 10,000ft at times. Weather patterns continue to blow areas of ash towards the UK.
The Met Office is the North-west European Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre with responsibility for issuing the Volcanic Ash Advisories for volcanoes erupting in this area. This means the Met Office's priority and role is to support NATS, CAA and other aviation authority's decision-making.
It is for the aviation industry and regulator to set thresholds for safe ash ingestion. Currently, world-wide advice from ICAO is based on engine and airframe manufacturers stating that aircraft should not be exposed to any volcanic ash.
Met Office and NERC observations are consistent with Met Office model forecasts for spread of ash over UK and north-west Europe and NATS are continuing to advise restrictions on UK airspace until Tuesday morning.
As the volcanic activity changes, there may be some clearance of ash at times, over parts of the UK. We will be looking to provide timely advice about when these opportunities might happen.
The Met Office is unable to advise of any details of any flights. However, many airlines are providing information on their websites.