In view of all uncertainties concerning the spread of COVID-19, travelling limitations, social distancing, etc., the EMS Council has decided to cancel the EMS Annual Meeting due to convene on 7–11 September 2020 in Bratislava. There will be no online conference either as the main attraction for a physical meeting is the opportunity to interact spontaneously, informally and freely with old and new friends as well as to plan future joint activities. Nevertheless, EMS is planning to hold a one-day on-line event, mainly aimed at early career scientists, likely on Monday 7 September. More information about this event will become available from the EMS website in the coming weeks. Also we intend to enable publication of papers that could have been presented at EMS2020 in an issue of the Open Access Journal ASR (Contributions in Applied Meteorology and Climatology) – more information will become available at the ASR journal website.
EMS is very sorry for this frustrating situation, but after carefully assessing the balance of pros and cons of all feasible options, it was decided that cancelling EMS2020 is the best option. Taking this decision also provides some certainty when there is much else that is uncertain.
We will now continue to plan for EMS2021 in Barcelona, with the aim of providing an exciting and comprehensive programme for all our community.
Bob Riddaway, EMS President Sylvain Joffre, Chair Programme and Science Committee
