IT IS a common saying that you can never predict the weather.

Now researchers have come up with new technology which aims to provide quicker, more accurate weather forecasts.

Scientists set sail from Southampton harbour for a six-week expedition to place ‘data pods’ at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean to gauge how the currents have an impact on the change in climate.

The idea is that this new equipment will send information via satellite within three months, whereas it currently takes 18 months for scientists to gather data.

Dr Elaine McDonough from the NOC, who is leading the project said: “This is a really exciting development that will give us the opportunity to learn a great deal more about the role of the ocean in absorbing atmospheric carbon dioxide.

“Previously we could only get measurements of carbon and nutrients once every five years.

“This new project will allow us to monitor large scale transport of carbon and nutrients over an extended period.”

By measuring the rise and fall of the sea levels, scientists will be able to collect more accurate readings for the Met Office to deliver during its weather reports.

Previous research has shown that rises in sea levels can have a detrimental effect on the environment, and faster, more accurate readings can help places prone to hurricanes and floods.

If the tests of the ‘data pods’ of the six-week expedition of the RRS Discovery, pictured, are successful, the project will become part of a larger one carried out by the NOC and universities in Southampton and Exeter.