High-tech Weather Services in Africa

Introduction

Realizing the need to improve the quality and quantity of surface observations relating to weather forecasts and climate predictions in Africa, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) proposed a pilot project in June 2002 that seeks to utilize the existing network of HAM radio operators to improve the reporting of meteorological observations to the national meteorological centres (NMCs) in the region.  Sponsored by the United States National Weather Service, the overall objective of the one-year project is to create a cooperative weather observer network to help the countries of Africa better prepare for drastic climate changes and avert natural disasters.  So far over 50 potential operators have been identified throughout Africa, and the implementation of the project is currently underway.

Background

While most people in industrialized countries take access to weather information for granted, in the developing world such access can make the difference between famine and feast.  Moreover, for many less developed countries, most of which rely on agriculture for subsistence, meteorological and climatological information is essential for economic and social development.  In the information age, it is essential that all societies the world over have equitable and timely access to information about climate change.  However, one of the key challenges facing regional NMCs in developing countries is the ability to harness the power of information and communication technologies (ICTs) – specifically electronic media systems such as broadcasting – to disseminate relevant information to citizens. 

Through training workshops and the deployment of a variety of ICTs, specifically radios, the Internet and satellite links, WMO is helping NMCs in underdeveloped societies benefit from the growing network of grassroots weather observers.  By using the Internet, regional NMCs can more effectively exchange information, experiences and other relevant data that relates to environmental changes.  While WMO offers a variety of information services related to meteorology, the Climate Information and Prediction Services (CLIPS) has proved to be one of the Organization’s most effective programmes.  Not only does CLIPS help bridge the knowledge gap between less developed regions and their more affluent counterparts, but it is also an important source for promoting improved science methodologies and interpretability of forecasts at the grassroots level. 

In a recent survey conducted jointly by the WMO and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), African farmers reported that the quality of climate information and the timeliness of its delivery were the two key factors impeding their ability to effectively use modern information resources (e.g. radio and Internet broadcasts).  Experts predict that by 2025 approximately two-thirds of the world’s population will live under water-stress conditions, the majority of people affected reside on the African continent.  To address global water management issues, WMO launched the World Hydrological Cycle Observing System (WHYCOS) in 1993.  Deployed regionally, the key output of these HYCOC projects is the development of a comprehensive database of critical weather and climate information that is accessible the world over via the Internet. 

How does it work?

At the core of WMO’s global efforts to improve information and knowledge sharing between the industrialized and developing worlds is the Internet Protocol-based global telecommunications system (GTS).  The GTS consists of a combination of point-to-point, point-to-multipoint and multipoint-to-point networks that disseminate weather-related information throughout the world.  Connected via a comprehensive network of terrestrial and satellite links, the GTS serves as the backbone of the global meteorological network.  At the core of the GTS is the main telecommunications network, which is the global interconnection link between 18 regional telecommunication hubs (RTHs).  At the local level, NMCs rely on amateur HAM radio operators and very small aperture terminals (VSAT) connection links to feed information into and receive critical data from the GTS. 

By connecting the national weather services throughout the world via the Internet, WMO helps to ensure that NMCs can engage in real-time information sharing.  However, many developing countries lack the necessary infrastructure and knowledge to benefit from the globally connected network for weather-related data and climate prediction information.  Using existing HAM radio networks and local level broadcasting systems, WMO hopes to keep marginalized communities better informed. 

Implementation

The proposal for Africa seeks the help of HAM radio operators to become grassroots weather observers.  Given the lack of indigenous knowledge about weather observation and climate prediction, the WMO works with its permanent representatives in each country to host training workshops to help HAM radio operators develop the requisite meteorological skills to participate in the growing surface weather observation network.  Gauging from a similar WMO-sponsored project in the Caribbean, where more than 55 new weather stations have joined the grassroots-observing network, the African project promises to significantly enhance countries’ ability to predict climate changes.  In East Africa, for instance, over 20 stations are in the process of joining the observing network. 

Once the HAM radio volunteers have completed training, the project organizers would begin installation of inexpensive, stand-alone weather stations in remote areas.  In an effort to strengthen the capabilities of the NMHSs in the region, the NMCs work with the HAM radio operators to strategically position these weather stations throughout the country to ensure that most effective distribution of meteorological information.  Similar to the other HAM radio-based projects, the WMO permanent representatives of the African countries would closely monitor the quantity and quality of the data submitted by the HAM radio volunteers, thus ensuring the accuracy of information.

Summary

Similar to its Caribbean counterpart, the pilot project proposed for Africa is designed to help national and regional NMCs predict and prepare for extreme weather events well in advance.  The project seeks to significantly improve long-range forecasting, while enhancing the capabilities of indigenous scientists to interpret hydro-meteorological data through training workshops.  The fact that over the last four years the number of people trained in using satellite data for weather forecasts has dramatically increased illustrates the demand for training and the success of WMO’s initiatives.  At an estimated cost of US$172,000, the pilot project proposed for Africa is both economically feasible and easily implemented. 

For further information on this project and the WMO’s global ICT efforts visit the following links:

• World Meteorological Organization (WMO)

• WMO World Weather Watch Programme

• WMO Climate Information and Prediction Services (CLIPS)

• WMO Global Telecommunication System (GTS)

• WMO Hydrology and Water Resources Programme