The Standard Chartered Weather Photographer of the Year competition 2024 launches today, seeking to showcase the world’s most striking weather and climate photography. 

Now in its ninth year, the competition is run by the UK’s Royal Meteorological Society and provides an international platform to raise awareness of environmental issues putting our planet at risk - including heatwaves, cyclones and extreme flooding - while depicting the awe-inspiring beauty and power of our weather. 

The competition is open for entries from April 15 to June 18, 2024, and is free to enter for professional and amateur photographers of all ages. 

New for 2024, a new Standard Chartered Climate Award offers £1,000 for the photograph that best tells a compelling story about the impact of climate change.   

New additions to the judging panel bring together judges from Kenya, Bangladesh, the USA and the UK, with expertise in photography, photojournalism, weather and climate science.

The competition is open to all ages and photographic abilities, attracting novices through to some of the best professional photographers. In addition to the main prize of £5,000, there are additional prizes of £2,500 for the Smartphone category and £750 for the under-18 category.  

The diversity of the prize encourages people of all ages and abilities to participate in the competition and photograph natural and extreme weather, highlighting our varied global climate. 

The Royal Meteorological Society will host a Weather Photography 101 webinar on Tuesday, April 16, 7-8.30pm. This will provide tips on photographing extreme weather from storm chaser Paul Knightley; learn about the science behind the weather from broadcast meteorologist Laura Tobin; and find out what makes a truly impactful climate change photograph.

Prof Liz Bentley, Chief Executive of the Royal Meteorological Society, said:   

“The Royal Meteorological Society is delighted to have the support of Standard Chartered’s commitment to raising global awareness about climate change and its impact. We hope that the new Climate Award will highlight the effects that global warming is having on weather patterns around the world, and the urgent need for swift action.”

ITV Weather is welcomed as a valued media partner of the competition again this year, along with The Week Junior Science+Nature, which continues its support of the youth category.   

Shortlisted entries from the main and smartphone categories will be announced in mid-September. The public will then have the chance to vote for their favourite, and all the winners will be announced on October 30, 2024. 

Prizes are as follows:  

 Weather Photographer of the Year   

Smartphone Weather Photographer of the Year   

Young Weather Photographer of the Year   

Climate Award   

Enter at zealous.co/rmets