Africa’s weather forecast to go online

Arusha. The African continent will be integrated to the global weather forecast system in an effort to improve its capability in meteorological observations. The online Observing Systems Capability Analysis and Review (Oscar) has more accurancy in weather predictions compared to the existing facilities at the poorly equiped meteorological stations.

“The new tool will enhance preparedness from hydrometeorological extremes,” said Mark Majodina, the representative of the World Meterological Organization (WMO) for eastern and southern Africa.

He said since Africa has been associated with poor meteorological observations, the new system will not only increase the observational capabilities but bring change in the way weather forecasts are made.

“In order to increase the observational capabilities in Africa it is important to have an accurate inventory of the existing capabilities, which is what Oscar will do,” he said during the opening of a training workshop on the technology for experts from 23 African countries.

He said introduction of the tool was within the recent decisions made by WMO on how to assist the world’s poorest continent overcome challenges of increasing threats of weather and climate extremes.

Africa, which accounts for 70 per cent of the least developed countries (LDCs), is often subjected to climate related risks and disasters which, according to him, have impacted on its socio-economic development.

He appealed to the African countries to invest in the meteorological services through purchase of automatic equipment order benefit their agriculture, energy,transport, industry and other productive sectors.

The director general of the Tanzania Meteorological Agency (TMA), Dr Agnes Kijazi, said the new tool is being introduced due to limited capacity of weather observation services in much of Africa.

Dr Kijazi is also the country’s permanent representative at WMO.

said; “Oscar will fill the gaps and hence enhance the observation network”.

The 40 plus experts from the Anglophone African countries attending the six day training sponsored by WMO, are expected to roll out the technology in their respective national meteorological agencies.

During the recent 70th Session of the WMO Executive Council meeting in June, the global meteorological body approved a plan to address the challenges of increasing threats of weather and climate extremes.

This will be done through enhancing preparedness and reducing loss of lives from hydrometeorological extremes, among other things.