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Rain rain rain. Over the past few days there's been nothing but epic, unceasing rain. So let's talk meteorology. I don't want to oversimplify the profession nor the field as I'm sure it's both wide and deep, but one of the meteorological functions is to study weather patterns and produce weather reports. That's effectively what allows forecasts (I think), and what is necessary to produce such a news report: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/pub-flash-floods-monsoon-surge-jan-10-13-rainy-weather-forecast-nea-4847021 As someone who dailies a motorbike, looking at a rain map is a regular and important habit. Indeed, the Meteorological Service Singapore rain areas webpage (here) is a tab that's permanently open on my browser. I fully admit to having a particular sensitivity to weather, and rain in particular. It can sometimes dictate my ability to move around, or at the very least my ability to get to places on time. Yes, I could wear a rain coat (and I often do), but getting places in various states of drench-ness is no fun. This page is a permanent fixture on my browser, and a key part of my day-to-day planning But it's not just rain, of course, as the recent (and ongoing) fires in California demonstrate. With climate change now front of mind for many people (or not. Those people can go away), meteorology should seemingly play an increasingly significant role in our day-to-day lives. And yet I do wonder if it is under-recognised and under-appreciated. It's not a science that's overtly sexy or attention-grabbing - there's no discovering of the God particle or blackholes, it's not cloning or making the next supercomputer. But it's still deeply important. It gives us answers to the 'whys' of the world beyond the simply observable phenomena. It allows us to better understand the world, and also to model what lies ahead. It helps us know that it's going to rain, but also why it's going to rain. And for that, I want to in this moment acknowledge and celebrate meteorologists. Thank you for keeping me dry. ~ Desmond