WORLD METEOROLOGICAL ORGANIZATION________

MEETING OF THE RA I IMPLEMENTATION/COORDINATION ON

STRATEGY FOR ENHANCEMENT OF THE WWW-BASIC SYSTEMS

NAIROBI, KENYA, 8-12 APRIL 2002

MTG/RAI-WWW/NIF. 3(23.I.2002) _______

ITEM: 3.

Original: ENGLISH only

THE WORLD WEATHER WATCH STRATEGIC PLAN ON THE IMPLEMENTATION AND IMPROVEMENT OF THE BASIC SYSTEMS IN RA I - AFRICA

__________________________________________________________

Summary and Purpose of information paper

This is an analysis of the current status; shortcomings and proposed solutions for identified deficiencies concerning the Data Processing and Forecasting Systems, Data Management and Public Weather Services in Eastern Africa, Southern Africa, South West Indian Ocean and part of North Africa. It provides detailed background information used in developing relevant strategies for the formulation of projects to implement the strategic plan to improve GDPS, DM and PWS in the above sub-regions.

________________________________________________________

FINAL REPORT

Dr Joseph R. MukabanaWMO CONSULTANT

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Improvement of Facilities and HumanResource Capacities for WMO Global

Data Processing System and PublicWeather Service Programme-RA-1

(Africa); In Support of Safety ofLife, Protection of Property,

Poverty Reduction and Sustainable Development

I. INTRODUCTIONThe World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Regional Association I (Africa) is composed of

fifty six member states whose economies are very sensitive to extreme weather and climate

events. The region often experiences losses of life and property resulting from extreme weather

and climate events. The only way to reduce the negative impacts associated with these events,

and improve food security and the economies of the region is to provide timely and skilful

forecasts, warnings and advisories. There have been marked advances in the science of

meteorology and technology, which has led to marked improvements in the skill of forecasts. The

improved capability of the advanced centres to simulate atmospheric processes and make

forecasts for the globe can be taken advantage of by the regional and National

Meteorological/Hydrological Services (NMHSs) to improve the skills of forecasts, warnings and

advisories of extreme weather and climate events.

The purpose of the WMO Global Data Processing System (GDPS) is to make available weather

and climate analyses, forecasts and predictions to members to enable them provide, in the most

cost-effective way, high-quality forecasts, predictions, warnings and information services to

weather, environmental and climate-sensitive national activities.

Previous efforts by the WMO have had significant impact on the implementation of the GDPS

and provision of meteorological services in parts of the region. However the level of

implementation of the GDPS and human resource capacities for utilizing the NWP products

varies from country to country.

On the other hand, the purpose of the WMO Public Weather Services Programme (PWSP) is to

assist members to provide reliable and effective weather and related services in support of safety

of life and protection of property, as well as for general welfare and well-being of their people.

This service offers enormous potential socio-economic benefits.

It is, therefore, not possible to provide uniform solutions for GDPS and PWSP limitations for all

countries in the region. It is for this reason that the current status of implementation and

requirements for human resource capacities of the GDPS and PWSP in sample countries of the

region were analyzed with a view to identifying appropriate solutions for the individual countries

and hence, the African region (RA-1).

The format of this final report is comprised of a preamble, an introduction, current status of GDPS and PWSP of the countries visited, utilization of the current resources, short-comings and possible solutions, future plans of the countries visited, existing relevant projects, conclusions and recommendations and proposed projects. Also included in the final report is an Annex of one consolidated filled questionnaire for the eight countries mentioned above. I wish to attract your special attention on items numbers 9, 10 and 11

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of the questionnaire where each country enumerated Plans For The Future, Recent Weather/Climate Related Disasters and Projects for enhancement of the GDPS and PWSP, including Human Resource Development, at each centre.

II. Current Status of the GDPS and PWSP in Countries Visited

The enabling facilities and human resource capacities to take advantage of the GDPS products is

lacking in the majority of the countries visited. In some countries, PWSP studios are lacking.

Moreover, few of the countries have made any notable progress in the operation of Numerical

Weather Prediction (NWP) models.

There is little capacity building, in the countries visited, for interpretation, verification and use of

model outputs including knowledge in data code formats like BUFR, CREX and GRIB.

The majority of the countries visited had PWSP for dissemination of forecasts to users. This

activity helps to improve the visibility of NMHSs, and the use of weather and climate forecasts,

warning and advisories.

Like the GDPS, the progress of implementation of PWSP activities is not uniform in the countries

visited.

II.A Facilities in Use at Your Centres

(a) GDPS FacilitiesMost NMSs had Meteorological Data Distribution (MDD) computers, Primary Data User Systems (PDUS) for access of Meteosat data and High-Resolution Picture Transmission (HRPT) receiver for accessing data from the Polar-orbiting NOAA satellites. No NMS had facility, like HORACE, AWIPS, or MICAPS for analysis and integration of GDPS products. The current status at the NMS centers visited is as follows:

Botswana has Automatic Message Switching System (AMSS), PDUS, SADIS ;Vaisala Digicora, which uses Global Positioning System (GPS).

Eritrea has PDUS, MDD and VAISALA DIGICORA: (however, the DIGICORA needs some updating and spare-parts with the following specs:

a) Fig & INDEX No. 19, PAT. No. 103-019, Description, pipe vent (37282); total number asked is 2;b) Caustic potash required, 5lbs per can, PAT. No. 103033; total number needed is 75 cans );

c) Our MDD needs connection to GTS;d) HRPT receiver for NOAA’s Polar-orbiting satellite data is needed.

Ethiopia has PCs, PC server workstation, and satellite receiving systems plus the Digicora equipment for radiosonde/rawin data reception.

Madagascar has HRPT and PDUS for tropical cyclone forecasting;MDD (gets data from ECMWF, UK Met Office, Meteo-france). Data is plotted on chart for analysis;

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Internet Server. Gets data from ReUnion (Regional Centre for tropical cyclone forecasting) for prediction of Tropical Cyclones.

Kenya has AMSS, SADIS, MESSIR-COM & MESSIR VISSION WORKSTATIONS, Automatic plotting tables, Printers, MDD, PDUS, HRPT

Nigeria has MDD, PDUS, SADIS, MESSIR-COM, MESSIR VISION, HRPT, AFDOS, GIS, MEDIA SYSTEM, LINUX, CLICOM

Tanzania has MDD/PDUS (yr-2000), SADIS (1997), AMEDIS-MESSIR(1998)

Zimbabwe has MDD, PDUS, HRPT (has software problem-not getting pictures at the moment), ICL SERVER FOR CLICOM;

- 4TH THOMSON WEATHER RADAR (with a radius of 400 km), 7 AWSs (with dial-in links), - COMMUNICATION GATEWAY SERVER (for internet), DELL COMPUTER (for punch cards type

data), SEQUEL SERVER (for getting all migrated data in same format)..

(b) Internet FacilitiesMost NMSs have Internet. But, except for Kenya, Tanzania and Nigeria which have dedicated internet hook-ups, all other countries (Eritrea, Ethiopia, Botswana, Madagascar and Zimbabwe had dial-up internet connections with low speed of 9.6 to 33.6 KBPS.

(c) Facilities for NWP and Climate ModelingApart from Kenya, which has 3 PC’s for operational NWP, all other countries visited, (Eritrea, Ethiopia, Botswana, Madagascar Tanzania, Nigeria and Zimbabwe), have no computers for NWP and regional Climate modeling using dynamical models.

(d) Public Weather Service Program (PWSP) StudiosBotswana and Eritrea have no studios for PWSP. Zimbabwe sends a Met Officer to present weather on Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation TV every day. The remaining countries (Kenya, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Tanzania and Madagascar) have PWSP studios.

II.B Human Resource Present at the Centres

(a) Dynamical Modeling including NWP and Regional Climate ModelingThe current status of the centers visited give the following scenario:

Botswana has no person trained in either NWP; Regional Climate Modeling using RegCM; Verification of model output; or Data Entry and Archival

Eritrea has only two (2) employees for Data Entry and Archival Ethiopia has no experts trained in the above fields so far. Madagascar has 2 personnel in Inter-regional Unit; and 2 in Study and Research Division; Kenya has Four Nigeria has 4 in NWP; Tanzania has 4: Pyuzza, Suleman, Pembe, Kanemba; Zimbabwe has 2 officers are in training at the SAWB on MM5 and Eta models.

(b) Seasonal Forecasting using empirical statistical models Botswana has 3; Eritrea, uses the statistical model as the operational model for seasonal forecasting and only two (2)

people are trained in it;

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Ethiopia, has only three experts trained in the empirical statistical models at the Drought Monitoring Centre (DMC) Nairobi;

Kenya has Six trained personnel; Madagascar has 1 in Climate Section; and 2 in Study and Research Division; Nigeria has Four trained personnel; Tanzania has 5 trained personnel; Zimbabwe has 8 trained personnel.

(c) Analysis and Interpretation of GDPS products from the GTS in order to add value to national and regional forecasts?

Botswana has none; Eritrea, uses it as the only available system, and 8 people are trained in it.; Ethiopia, analyses the GDPS products using meteorologists trained in various regional centres.; Kenya has Two; Madagascar has 4 in Forecast Division; Nigeria has 4 in Forecast Division; Tanzania has 3 and states the need to acquire workstations with HORACE or SYNAGIE software to

overlay NWP products from GDPSs; Zimbabwe stated that most analysts were capable but would do much better with SYNERGIE,

HORACE, AWIPS or MICAPS to overlay NWP and other GDPS products with satellite imagery.

d) Public Weather Service Program for Dissemination of Forecasts, Warnings and Advisories to the Public, Users of Meteorological Products and Policy/Decision Makers:The current status is as follows:

Botswana has none; Eritrea uses it in a routine way, but further training in applying advanced systems is required At present only two (2) people are doing the job without proper training.. Ethiopia has four meteorological officers who have participated in one-month course in

TV broadcast and presentation training conducted by the studio of the Kenya Meteorological Department. No formal training was given at a higher level. Besides no expert trained in Unix, quick basics, Internet, web site setup, etc. No software and hardware professionals.

Kenya has eleven trained personnel in TV weather presentation; Madagascar has:─ 3 operators; 3 presenters; 1 supervisor.─ 1 in Forecast Division;─ 2 in Inter-regional Unit.; Nigeria has TWO trained personnel in TV weather presentation; Tanzania has 6 trained personnel in TV weather presentation; Zimbabwe has 3 trained personnel in TV weather presentation.

(e) Information and Communication Technology E.g. use of computer software (Word, Excel, Access, Unix, Fortran, C, C+, Quick Basic), Internet, networking, setting-up a web-site, knowledge in computer-aided learning (CAL), etc. Knowledge in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is envisaged to minimize costs in the implementation of GDPS and PWSP. The current status of the centers visited is as follows:

Botswana has Total of 3 officers from Data Processing and Engineering Divisions;9 other officers given basic training in “word” and “excel” only;

Eritrea has personnel with limited knowledge of Word, Excel, Access, Internet, networking, but no training in the other software. More people need to be trained in ICT.

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Ethiopia had, till recently, a few experts who had received a formal training in the field of IT and ICT. However, all of the IT personnel left the agency. Currently NMSA has no experts in this field;

Kenya has :─ 20 trained personnel in Data Processing System (DPS)─ 9 trained personnel in telecommunication Engineering and electronics─ Total - 29; Madagascar has:─ 6 staff members in Forecast Division (trained in Word, Excell, Powerpoint, Publisher, adobe Photoshop, ANI-

PRO);─ 1 staff member in Climate Section─ staff member in Study and Research Division (trained in Fortran, Internet) Nigeria has 4 in Forecast Division; Tanzania has 1 trained personnel; Zimbabwe has the following status:─ Internet-a few officers have informal knowledge;─ Networking- 5;─ Setting-up a web-site- 3;─ CAL- zero

f) Seismology Equipment for Monitoring Earthquake and Tremors

No country visited (Botswana, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Nigeria, Tanzania and Zimbabwe) had seismic equipment or trained personnel within respective NMSs. However, it was felt that NMSs have the necessary observation network to monitor earth tremors. Kenya said that there were seven equipment based at the University of Nairobi whereas, for Eritrea, the seismic equipment is available at the Asmara University.

g) Decoding Of Data Sets Written In any One of the Following Formats:

- GRID;- GRIB;- BUFR;- CREX.

None of the countries visited (Botswana, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Nigeria, Tanzania and Zimbabwe) had any experts trained to decode data sets in the above format except GRID data.

III. Utilization of Available ResourcesSome of the basic information from GDPSs centres used in forecasts at the NMSs are SYNOP, TEMP, SATEM, SATOB, OPMET (METAR, TAFs), AIREP, SHIP, etc. Most of the variables are either in GRID format (or codes) or Facsimile Charts.

These data sets are accessed through:- Internet;- Visiting web-sites;- On GTSThe current status at various centers visited is as follows:

Botswana accesses FM12-SYNOP, FM35-TEMP, FM33-SHIP, FM42-AMDAR;

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Eritrea gets all the available data from MDD in GRID format. GRIB and BUFR are to be introduced soon.

Ethiopia accesses SYNOPS and TEMP data from ECMWF and METEO-FRANCE in Facsimile code formats. Most of the data sets from the GTS are accessed through MDD and SADIS reception systems.

Kenya accesses variables that include pressure, cumulative rainfall, wind, temperature and geopotentials.

Madagascar accesses GRIDDED GDPS Data using MDD.

Nigeria accesses global data in GRID, GRIB, BUFR AND FACSIMILE CHARTS formats;

Tanzania accesses GRID formatted data sets like OPMET (Operational Met) which gives TAFS, METERS, warnings, etc. However, because of low speed in data link to Nairobi, only SYNOP data are accessed since including TEMP will mean more waiting time for downloading data and hardly any for timely forecast. Also TEMP is scarce over Africa and there was no need to ask that which is rarely available.

Zimbabwe accesses GRIDDED data like SYNOP, TEMP, SATEM, AIREP, OPMET (TAFS, WARNINGS, METARS). However, NWP/GCM products are not accessed due to lack of facilities like AMEDIS and also due to low internet speed.

IV. Short-Comings and Possible SolutionsIV.A InternetMost countries, except Kenya, Tanzania and Nigeria have a dial-up system with low speed. This needs upgrading.The present situation at the visited centers is as follows:

Botswana would like to have an increase in speed of the internet link by increasing the band width or, funds permitting, have a 2-way VSAT.

Eritrea needs a dedicated line of at least 64 KBPS in order to access NWP products from major centers.

Acquisition of a 2-way VSAT for meteorological data exchange.

Ethiopia states that the advantage of Internet is crucial for accessing various web-sites related to weather and climate. Hence, a leased permanent and quality service of Internet is required to make effective use of the service. In Ethiopia, there is only one Internet Service Provider for the whole country. The speed and quality of the line is not enough for accessing huge volumes of meteorological products. The charge for the service is very expensive to rely on the Internet. NMSA plans to open a web-site for posting its products for national and international use.

Kenya needs to upgrade its internet speed to at least 128 KBPS to operationalize NWP

Madagascar is hoping to upgrade its Internet speed to at least 64 KBPS under the second phase of IOC Project in 2002.

Nigeria hopes to acquire higher Internet speed of 128 KBPS and also to have the use of ISP in Europe.

Tanzania wants the PTT-Kenya to liase with TTCL (Tanzania Telecom Co. Ltd.) to improve infrastructure.

Zimbabwe wants to have a dedicated line of at least 64 KBPS. The 7 Automatic Weather Stations (AWSs) are connected to a private ISP in Harare where the Met Service is linked. It would be better if they were all linked at the headquarters, instead of at the ISP.

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IV.B Computers for Operational Numerical Weather Prediction or Climate Modeling, Data Quality Control and Data Storage

Most NMSs did not have computers for NWP, regional climate modeling using dynamical methods, data quality control and storage. These countries would, of course, like to possess high-speed workstations, or PC clusters and servers for running NWP and other Climate models. Due to financial limitations experienced by the NMHSs, it is not possible to buy this equipment from their meager annual budgets. Thus, it is envisaged that the assistance of WMO ( through VCP, regular budget or otherwise) is very crucial to the improvement of the services provided by the NMSs. In summary, the current prevailing stators at the centers visited is as follows:

Botswana does not have any computers for operational NWP. There are only a few computers available as well as servers for Data Quality Control and Storage of climatological data.

Eritrea has three (3) PCs for Data Quality Control and Storage. All the available Computers have become old. So, new powerful workstations are needed for NWP, Archiving and Climate Modeling.

Ethiopia has no high speed computers for NWP & climate modeling. But NMSA has a limited number of computers currently in use for data storage and processing, GTS data reception and for archiving METOSAT satellite imageries. Most of the computers have slow processing speed and storage capacity. Additional PCs are required for data entry. But no computers for NWP.

Kenya needs more computers for operational NWP and regional modeling using dynamical methods

Madagascar needs computers for operational NWP and regional modeling using dynamical methods

Nigeria has only PCs for non-real time Data Quality Control and Storage of data.

Tanzania has no computers for NWP, Climate modeling, Data quality control and Data archiving

Zimbabwe has no computers for NWP, Climate modeling, Data quality control and Data archiving

IV.C Computers for Access, Analysis and Interpretation of Global Data Processing Products for Public Weather Service

All the countries countries visited had some computers for access of global data. However, no country had equipment (like HORACE, SYNERGIE, AWIPS, MICAPS) for analysis and interpretation of the global data. The specific status at the visited centers was as follows: Botswana does not have any computers for access, analysis and interpretation of global

data processing products for public weather service.

Eritrea has three (3) PCs for Data Quality Control and Storage.

Ethiopia has two PCs for receiving and accessing GDPS products from European centers. At present NMSA depends on MDD system to access processed data and other products, which are transmitted through the GTS. There are also some PCs to prepare weather forecast in the studio of NMSA.

Kenya needs new computers to replace the old PCs.

Madagascar has PC 386s the Climate Division are very old and need replacement

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Nigeria has PCs access (yes), analysis (no)

Tanzania has PC computers for access, analysis and interpretation of global data processing products for public weather service.

Zimbabwe has PDUS, MDD, ICL SERVER, SEQUEL SERVER (SQL), COMPUTERS FOR WEATHER RADARS

V. Future Plans of Those Countries VisitedAll the countries visited had plans for major changes that were envisaged to be undertaken in future to improve data processing system at their centers.

Botswana has need for:─ Strengthening the data processing Unit to establish a national data processing system

(NDPS).─ Establishing connectivity through GTS with neighboring GDPS─ Need for training in GDPS analysis and interpretation

Eritrea has need to:─ Establishment of fully-fledged National Meteorological Service (NMS). This would

enable the creation of an optimum network of weather stations within Eritrea in accordance with WMO standard requirements. It will also enable the establishment of a better Telecommunication system to relay observed data from the different sites to the collection center. It will facilitate better coordination of data processing (i.e. quality control, analysis, and management) including dissemination of forecasts and prediction services to the Public, Policy makers and other end users. It will enhance the visibility of Eritrea within the WMO member states and give the country a strong voice in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) issues and in sessions of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

─ Replacement of RHPT for reception of NOAA’s Polar Orbiting Satellite imagery.─ Proper needs assessment for Human resource Assessment (HRD) in all the

Meteorological Services of the country (i.e. enough number of Forecasters for three International Airports).

─ Need of Seismic instruments in indicative stations.

Ethiopia needs are based on the fact that:─ NMSA is undergoing prior assessments to workout future plans to meet its

requirement of manpower and infrastructure. It is committed to realize its priorities to strengthen the station network. The distribution of surface weather observing stations is not uniform. Additional stations are required on data scarce areas of the country. Moreover, modern meteorological communication facilities should be installed to improve data exchange. To achieve these goals, the following tasks need to be accomplished.

─ Fully automate the data processing systems.─ Train manpower in the field of Climate-modeling, Communication, ITC and other

meteorological fields.─ Equip the processing center with modern computers and Networks.

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─ Improve communication systems for national and international data exchange.─ Strengthen the capacity of the upper-air networks with necessary materials.

(Radiosondes are in short supply and have made the upper-air observing network to be limited to only one station.)

─ To install Automatic Weather Stations to remote parts of the country to fulfill the data gap.

─ Install a new generation of satellite receiving system.─ Improve security of meteorological instruments from vandalism.

Kenya needs to:─ Enhance Telecommunication capacity;─ Improve AMSS; ─ Operationalise NWP and regional modeling capability; ─ Enhance computing capacity, ICT and Geo-physical Information System (GIS);─ Have an integrated system.

Madagascar has plans to accomplish the following:─ Restoration of hydrological network (100 automatic stations for river gauging);─ Improvement of Internet capabilities in Hydrology Unit for data exchange;─ Computer Aided Learning (CAL), distance learning virtual laboratory network;─ Equipment for automatic weather stations and river-gauging system;─ Data acquisition and processing system (hardware/software for basic data

management);─ Geo-physical information system (GIS) and Remote Sensing (RS) applications to

hydrology;─ Expert formulation of technical assistance and feasibility studies (e.g. environmental

projects).

Nigeria has plans to accomplish the following:─ Increase in functional stations ─ More Automatic Weather Observing Systems (AWOSs) ─ Computerization & networking of all synoptic stations─ Training on NWP, climate modeling & ICT─ Have MOU for dynamical modeling with advanced center(s)─ Establish real time running of NWP─ Upgrading of AFDOS and CLICOM─ Acquisition of SYNERGY or HORACE workstation & application ─ Models software for specialized forecasts─ Data rescue and archiving (WMO-CLIPS).

Tanzania has plans to satisfy the following needs:─ Reception of Meteosat second-generation (MSG) data;─ Training in NWP;─ Training in ICT and GIS;─ Acquisition of computing facilities for operational NWP and archival system.─ Upgrading of zonal offices ,GTS, GDPS and PWSP.

Zimbabwe has plans to accomplish the following concerns:

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─ To get SADIS for aviation forecasting;─ AMSS for data exchange and rapid communication by increasing speed of internet

from 75 baud to 64 KBPS;─ Networking of 4 RADARS to get mosaic;─ Introduction of NWP/regional Climate modeling using dynamical methods;─ Introduction of PWS studio;─ Centralization of operations and integration of services (e.g. putting aviation under

Forecasting Division) and automating some of the services

VI. Existing Relevant ProjectsWith an exception of Zimbabwe, which has in mind a project to network 4 RADARS to get a mosaic, Nigeria, which has a project to install a VSAT system, and Madagascar, which hopes to cover part of her concerns under an IOC project, no relevant projects were reported at the other centers, except the anticipated PUMA project for the acquistion of the Meteosat antennae and training. However, recent weather related disasters reported to have occurred in the countries visited within the last 5 years indicated the need to come up with projects that could address mitigation of these disasters. Each country visited recorded the following disasters:

BotswanaFlash floods due to severe storms and influence from tropical cyclones/depressions (1995). In particular, the floods of 2000/2001 resulted in loss of life and extensive damage to property and infrastructure

Eritrea Flash floods associated with severe thunderstorms occurred in different parts of the country during the months of July and August 2001and resulted in destruction of life and property worth millions of Nacfa.

Ethiopia ─ 1998, 1999 and 2000 droughts. ─ Flash floods of 1997 over Awash River basin and Somali region.─ Forest fires of 2000 over the mountains of Bale region (This lasted for more than 2

months of Feb-March and was put out by April rains in just two days).─ Excess flooding of Rivers in 2001.─ Flash floods accompanied by landslides over many areas in the major rain season of

2001. ─ Increased frequency of Malaria, Meningitis and Rift-Valley fever after the year 1997.

Kenya ─ 1997/1998 El Nino floods and─ 1998-2000 La Nina drought

Madagascar Droughts and floods depend highly on climatological events. This implementation would help mitigate the impacts on the country’s development through facilitation in the provision of accurate and timely forecast information for planning purposes.

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Nigeria Flooding, Gully Erosion, Coastal Erosion, Drought, Plane Crash, Storm Damages, Health Hazards (Meningitis, Heat Rashes, Malaria, etc), Dust Storms (Harmattan)

Tanzania ─ Floods in Mwanza (Dec 2000);─ Floods in Dar Es Salaam (March 2001);─ Landslide in Kigoma (March 2001);─ Earthquake in Rungwe (Mbeya);─ LaNina associated Drought in N.E. Tanzania (1999-2000).

Zimbabwe ─ Cyclone ELINE in February 2000 gave rise to strong winds and floods in the eastern

part of the country and floods to the western side;─ There was a break-out of diseases like malaria, cholera, typhoid, etc associated with

floods;─ Property was destroyed, people were homeless, grainstalk reserves were destroyed.─ There was heavy rains from Zambia associated with floods

All the countries visited agreed that the implementation of the GDPS and PWSP would have alleviated the associated impacts of the weather and climate related disasters in their country. This is how each country put their statements:

Botswana ─ Timely issuance of better short to medium term weather forecasts would improve on

preparedness─ Public awareness through appropriate public and dissemination of weather forecast

would contribute to mitigation of floods and droughts as well as other weather-related disasters such as feld fires.

Eritrea ─ With the GDPS and PWSP, it would have been easier to make an accurate forecast

and timely dissemination of this forecasts to the general public, for safety awareness, and to the decision makers to take contingency plans to mitigate the severe impacts of the weather hazards.

Ethiopia The impact of implementing GDPS and PWSP services would have immense consequences to alleviate the problems pertinent to climate and weather related disasters. It would special significance to minimize the impacts of droughts.

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Kenya Improved GDPS, PWSP facilities and adequate and well-trained Human capacity would ensure acurate and timely forecasts, warnings and advisories for preparedness, response and mitigation of impacts

Madagascar Droughts and floods depend highly on climatological events. This implementation would help mitigate the impacts on the country’s development through facilitation in the provision of accurate and timely forecast information for planning purposes.

Nigeria Improvement in quality of meteorological products for : ─ Early warnings and forecasts─ Increased meteorological awareness─ Reduction in attendant weather/climate related disasters.─ Ensure food security─ Contribute to national economy

Tanzania ─ GDPS products helped predict the 197/98 ElNino floods i.e. a statistical model

constructed in 1996 had indicated above-normal rainfall over much of mainland Tanzania

Zimbabwe ─ Weather radar and satellite pictures helped in the forecast of the cyclone track and

heavy precipitation.─ The major problem was to disseminate the information; the Civil Protection Unit,

with only one copter, lacked the capacity to offer rescue operations

VII. Conclusions and Recommendations

Conclusions─ The enabling facilities and human resource capacities required to take advantage of

the GDPS products is lacking in the majority of the countries visited, and by

extension, one would conclude that the situation is not better in the majority of the

remaining countries in the African region.

─ Africa has largely lagged in the implementation of the GDPS. However, a number of centres, notably Pretoria (South Africa), Algiers (Algeria), Casablanca (Morocco), Cairo (Egypt) and Tunis (Tunisia) have made progress in the operation of Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) models.

─ The availability of meteorological workstations and use of PC clusters has significantly reduced the cost for implementing GDPS at national and regional forecasting centres.

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─ A tangible success in quasi-operational runs of workstation versions of NWP models has been demonstrated at ACMAD (Niamey, Niger), and Nairobi (Kenya).

─ It is therefore possible to implement GDPS at national and regional forecasting centres at low cost to enable the NMHSs in the region to take advantage of the advances in the science of meteorology and technology for safety of life and property, sustainable development and poverty reduction.

─ In addition to the to implementation of the GDPS in the region, there should be capacity building for interpretation, verification and use of model outputs, including in training in ICT and GIS.

─ The various PWSP activities in the region have continued to improve the visibility of NMHSs, through the dissemination and use of weather and climate forecasts, warning and advisories.

─ Like the GDPS the progress of implementation of PWSP activities is not uniform in the region.

RecommendationBy analyzing the above given facts, it can be concluded that the NMHSs visited were at different levels of development in terms of facilities and human capacities for GDPS and PWSP. Based on this observation and conclusion, it is recommended that the varying needs of each NMS should be given special attention. However, there are areas of common concern like:─ Facilities for NWP and regional climate modeling;─ Facilities for archival of data that is on paper and which need rescuing;─ Facilities for analysis and interpretation (integration) of GDPS data;─ Human resource capacity building in NWP and in the analysis and interpretation of

GDPS data;─ Establishment of PWSP studios for weather presentation;─ Improvement of internet connectivity and telecommunication systems;─ Promotion of research and development at NMHSs.─ Encourage the use of GDPS and PWSP for exchange of cross-border warnings

between NMHSs to manage weather and climate related disasters─ Improvement of aviation facilities that acquire and synthesize data from GDPS for

aeronautical meteorology

VIII.Proposed Projects The countries visited proposed projects that could enhance the use of GDPS and PWSP at their NMHSs.

Botswana ─ Acquisition of PWSP TV studio and training in TV weather presentation and

preparation of graphics;─ Initiation of Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) Unit;

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─ Capacity building in the interpretation of GDPS and in PWSP;─ Acquisition of equipment , in particular MDD, AMEDIS computers, radars,

upgrading the internet connectivity and GTS LAN;─ A GIS related project for improved productivity to users;─ Automation of data acquisition and dissemination in climate modeling.

Eritrea ─ Establishment of a fully operational NMS in Eritrea;─ Establishment of LAN and WAN ;

The other envisaged projects that need financial assistence in funding are:─ Establishment of new stations within Eritrea (synoptic, agro met, upper-air and

rainfall stations)─ Enhancement of data communication network, such as more SBB and RTT;─ GTS connection with Nairobi RTH;─ Establishment of an Institute of Meteorology.─ Enhancement of training man-power, especially in WMO Classes II and I including

specialized training in areas like the Agro met, Aeronautical Met, Hydrometeorology, Climatology, Marine Met, etc;

─ To establish PWSP studio for effective dissemination of weather forecasts;─ Procurement of the SADIS equipment for AFTN data dissemination to aviation.

Ethiopia Required Activities and resources to improve data Management processing and

Dissemination in National Meteorological services Agency of Ethiopia.

Current Status of Data Processing and Archiving: Data in electronic format before September 2000 are unable to retrieve. CLICOM 3.1 has been installed in a by experts from WMO on a server in September 2000.

About Eight workstations are networked with the server for data entry purposes. With this Daily Data for Maximum and Minimum Temperature are entered into computer. So far, Data entry of these three meteorological elements for about forty station has already been carried out.

There are also data entered in excel format in different time

Problem Encountered: Skilled Manpower:

o No trained man power in the field of Data Management, Network Management and Programming is available in the Agency.

o No trained man power in data archiving o No trained Computer Programmero No trained System Administratoro No trained Hardware Engineerso Very limited local training to the data entry personals.

Equipment:o Most of the Workstations networked in September are IBM 486 with low

Memory, which made the network administration and maintenance very difficult.

Data Accumulation:

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o Since we started entering data to computer in September 2000, the data observation for the last several decades made it difficult to complete the data entry under the normal working load.

o Data stored on tapes using VMS VAX 730 Mainframe couldn’t be retrieved after the machine failed.

Archiving:o The manual archive is highly disorganized and needs to organize it o So many charts unsorted and unbindo All the data are archived only in one location which is risky.

Manualo No Manual for data Processing and Quality controlo Frequent problems in handling CLICOM could not be managed by the experts

we have at present as they have not been trainedo No Manual on Users Advisory

Required Assistance / Future Activities needed:

Possible assistance in training personals in the above mention fields and fulfilling necessary equipment would be the first priority of assistance. Training needs in the field of Data Management and Programming are at the MSc and different levels to handle climate data.

Possible support/projects to fully automate the data is required as the backlog data which are not yet keyed to the computer is extremely huge in order to serve users of Climate and Weather.

Possible Project to network all data collection, processing, and archiving centers which are envisaged to be launched in the near future at the regional level. Also network all technical departments through LAN.

Possible Project to fully modernize the manual archive of NMSA

o Possible project to organized another archive center in different location.

Possible project on data recovery.

Kenya ─ IGAD and PUMA projects on satellite information and facilities;─ Facilities for NWP and Climate modelling;─ Automation of airport met runway system;─ Replacement of automatic message switching system;─ Introduction of weather radar network, automatic weather stations (AWSs), and

lightning systems.─ Integration of observations, facilities for GDPSs and PWSP facilities

Madagascar ─ Project on Management of Water Resources to mitigate the flooding incidents on the

population;─ Climate Change convention of United Nations;─ CLICOM, a drought preparedness project;─ IOC regional program on meteorological cooperation on tropical countries;─ MSG Transition in Africa project (PUMA);

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─ Training in NWP/Climate modeling, including analysis and interpretation of GDPS products;

─ Training in PWSP for media presentation, communication and public education.

Nigeria ─ NWP & ICT facilities─ Empirical statistical model─ Remote sensing ( HRPT, GIS)─ VSAT─ RADAR network─ AWOS─ Training in NWP & ICT & Remote Sensing ( HRPT, GIS, RADAR & Satellite)─ Data rescue & archiving (WMO-CLIPS)─ Fabrication/calibration of basic Meteorological instruments.

Tanzania ─ PWSP-To acquire digital camera;─ Unix-based workstation for NWP and Regional climate modeling using numerical

methods;─ MSG ground segment for acquisition of satellite data;─ Weather Radar for tracking meso-scale systems e.g. severe storms, heavy

precipitation rain, gusty winds, lightning and thunder

Zimbabwe ─ Training in ICT, NWP/Climate Modeling;─ Setting up of PWSP studio;─ Cost-recovery programme.

-----------------------------------------------------------END----------------------------------------------------------------

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ANNEX

SUMMARY OF THE HIGHLIGHTSHas there been any major changes or activities in the Global Data Processing System (GDPS) and Public Weather Service Programme (PWSP) at your center in the last 5 years?

(e.g. installation of MDD, PDUS, SADIS, 2-WAY VSAT, HORACE/MICAPS/AWIPS, AFTN, AMEDIS (MESSIR-VISION) , AMSS, UNIX/LINUX, HRPT, GAW station, LAM, WEATHER RADAR, LAN, SEISMIC EQUIPMENT, GIS, DCP/IP, AMDAR data decoder, COMPUTER WORKSTATIONS/PCs, INTERNET SERVER, etc.).

If YES,Please name these changes, or activities

Botswana Aquistion of SADIS in May 1998; Decryption of PDUS to obtain hourly and half-hourly Meteosat cloud imagery.

PDUS was installed I 1989; Up-grading of AMSS to 64 kbs per second in 1997. It uses UNIX software.

Eritrea INTERNET SERVER is already installed. PCs work station needs upgrading. LAN and WAN including AFTN are to be established in very near future.

Ethiopia In the last five years, NMSA installed MDD, PDUS, SADIS, and Computer servers (PCs). However, due to technical problems the PDUS satellite reception system terminated operation since the beginning of 2001. The system was a grant of the UK Government for monitoring cloud systems and estimation of rainfall on dekadal basis. There was no immediate solution to the failure of system. NMSA hopes it will be resolved when the new generation of METEOSAT satellites become operational in the near future. The agency also acquired a donation of Studio equipment and accessories from the government of UK. The new studio improved the quality of weather presentation on national TV. The weather presentation plays a major role in enhancing public awareness. It also attracted the attention of policy makers to use the advisories issued by the agency.

LAN: a server is connected to 8 PCs for data entry process. Four of the PCs are 486 category with very minimal capacity. This makes the networks management difficult.

CLICOM is used for climatological data archiving. Because of unavailability of computer professionals both in data management and network administration it is very difficult to administer. DOS based CLICOM is not user- friendly. We recommend that the CLICOM software should be developed to be WINDOWS-based.

Kenya Upgrading of MDD, PDUS Installation of MESSIR VISION, HRPT.

Madagascar 1 Pentium II PC 32 Mb RAM (for the Inter-regional Unit) 1 PC containing NTO data bases; Installation of LINUX workstation in the Study & Research Divion; Installation of MDD, PDUS, AMEDIS (Messir-Vission) in the Forecast Division.

Nigeria INSTALLATION OF MDD, PDUS, SADIS, MESSIR-COM,

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MESSIR-VISION, HRPT, GIS, AFDOS, MEDIA SYSTEM, LINUX, VISAT (INSTALLATION IN PROGRESS)

Tanzania Installed Amedis(Messir) in October 1998. This gives NWP products. PWSP was started in Jan 1995. Forecasts are made at own studio and cassette send to TV

stations (TVT,DTV and CTV Channel-10. PWSP used NWP products to forecast floods as demanded by office of Prime Minister and UNPD at some point. Now both offices of Prime Minister and UNDP are on mailing list for weekly forecast

Zimbabwe Setting up of 7 Automatic Weather Stations (AWSs); Putting up of the 4th weather radar in Victoria Falls; Other Thomson weather radars are at Harare, Bulawayo, Buffalo Ranch ; Setting up of a Local Area Network(LAN) in the Service during year 2000.

1. EQUIPMENT IN USE AT YOUR CENTREName the major data processing units at your centre:

Botswana AMSS, PDUS, SADIS ; Vaisala Digicora which uses GPS.

Eritrea PDUS, MDD and VISALA DIGICORA: (Our DIGICORA needs some updating and spare-parts with the following specs:

e) Fig & INDEX No. 19, PAT. No. 103-019, Description, pipe vent (37282); total number asked is 2;

f) Caustic potash required, 5lbs per can, PAT. No. 103033; total number needed is 75 cans );

Our MDD needs connection to GTS; NOAA receiver is needed.

Ethiopia PCs, PC server workstation, satellite receiving systems & Digicora equipment for radiosonde/rawin data reception.

Kenya AMSS, WORKSTATIONS, Automatic plotting tables, Printers, MDD, PDUS, HRPT

Madagascar HRPT and PDUS for tropical cyclone forecasting; MDD (gets data from ECMWF, UK Met Office, Meteo-france). Data is plotted on chart for

analysis; Internet Server. Gets data from ReUnion (Regional Centre for tropical cyclone forecasting) for

prediction of TC. Nigeria MDD, PDUS, SADIS, MESSIR-COM, MESSIR VISION, HRPT,

AFDOS, GIS, MEDIA SYSTEM, LINUX, CLICOMTanzania MDD/PDUS (yr-2000), SADIS (1997), AMEDIS-MESSIR(1998)Zimbabwe MDD, PDUS, HRPT (has software problem-not getting pictures at the moment), ICL

SERVER FOR CLICOM, 4TH THOMSON WEATHER RADAR (with a radius of 400 km), 7 AWSs (with dial-in

links), COMMUNICATION GATEWAY SERVER (for internet), DELL COMPUTER (for

punch cards type data), SEQUEL SERVER (for getting all migrated data in same format).

(i) Do you have INTERNET connectivity?

Botswana YesEritrea Yes Ethiopia YesKenya YesMadagascar YesNigeria YesTanzania It is there

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Zimbabwe Yes

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If YES, (a) Is it a Dedicated Line or a Dial-Up?

Botswana Dedicated line between the Met Service and the Government Data Network (GDN).Eritrea Dial-upEthiopia Dial-up connectionKenya Dedicated Madagascar Dial-up Nigeria Dedicated lineTanzania There is a dedicated line. However, it is on and off because of PTT-Kenya which is still analogueZimbabwe Automatic Dial-Up;

E-mail is managed by Communication Gateway Server, with an ISP in Harare. The e-mail is more reliable than the telex machine of the GTS

(b) What is the SPEED of the Internet line?

Botswana 64 Kbsps between the Met Service and the GDN. Eritrea 33.6 KbpsEthiopia 28,000 bits/sec (28 Kbps)Kenya 64 KbpsMagagascar 28 KbpsNigeria 64 Kbps (Local ISP)Tanzania 9.6 KbpsZimbabwe Model with 33.6 Kb/s for the link between ISP and Internet Server;

14.400 Kb/s within the Central Forecast Office.

(c) Can you suggest any suitable improvement (s)?Botswana Increase the speed of the link by increasing the band width,or;

Funds permitting, have a 2-way Vsat.Eritrea Needs a dedicated line of at least 64KB.ps in order to access NWP products from

major centers. Acquisition of a 2-way VSAT for meteorological data exchange.

Ethiopia The advantage of Internet is crucial for accessing various web-sites related to weather and climate. Hence a leased permanent and quality service of Internet is required to make effective use of the service. In Ethiopia, there is only one Internet Service Provider for the whole country. The speed and quality of the line is not enough for accessing huge volume of meteorological products. The charge for the service is very expensive to rely on the Internet. NMSA plans to open a web-site for posting its products for national and international use.

Kenya Needs at least 128 Kbps to operationalise NWPMadagascar Upgrade to at least 64 Kbps (hoping to upgrade under second phase of IOC Project in 2002) Nigeria HIGHER INTERNET SPEED OF 128 kbps

USE OF ISP IN EUROPETanzania PTT-Kenya should liase with TTCL(Tanzania Telecom Co. Ltd.) to improve infrastructureZimbabwe There is need to have a dedicated line of at least 64 Kb/s;

The 7 AWSs are connected to a private ISP in Harare where the Met Service is linked. It would be better if they were all linked at the headquarters, instead of at the ISP.

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If NO, When do you intent to have the Internet link?

Botswana N/AEritrea N/AEthiopia N/AKenya N/AMadagascar N/ANigeria N/ATanzania N/AZimbabwe N/A

(ii) Do you have any COMPUTERS (PCs, workstations, and servers) for operational Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) or Climate Modeling, Data Quality Control and Storage of Data?

Botswana The department does not have any computers for operational NWP; There are only a few computers available as well as servers for data quality control

and storage of climatological data. Eritrea We have Three (3) PCs for Data Quality Control and Storage.

All the available Computers have phased out, so new powerful workstations are needed for NWP, Archiving and Climate Modeling

Ethiopia There is no high speed computers for NWP & climate modeling. But NMSA has a limited number of computers currently in use for data storage and processing, GTS data reception and for archiving METOSAT satellite imageries. Most of the computers have slow processing speed and storage capacity. Additional PCS are required for data entry. But no computers for NWP.

Kenya Yes, but we need moreMagagascar NONigeria PCs FOR NON-REAL TIME DATA QUALITY CONTROL AND

STORAGE OF DATATanzania No computers for NWP, Climate modeling, Data quality control and Data archivingZimbabwe NO

If NO Do you have any plans to have computers for NWP and climate modeling at your centre in the near

future? Botswana Yes Eritrea We wish to have powerful computer workstations for NWP and climate

modeling at our center. Ethiopia NMSA would like to possess high-speed workstations and servers for running NWP and

other Climate models. Due to financial limitations it is not planned to buy these equipment from its meager annual budget. Thus the assistance of WMO, or VCP assistance through WMO is very essential for upgrading the services provided by the agency. However, NMSA plans to procure some PCs for its Regional Meteorological Offices (RMOs).

Kenya N/AMadagascar YES.

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Nigeria YESTanzania Yes Zimbabwe There is a plan to start NWP unit with an MM5 with help South African Weather Bureau

(SAWB).

When? Botswana Subject to availability of funds requested this year, 2001. Eritrea This will depend on the availability of funds.Ethiopia In the next few years, provided the budget has to be approved by the Government of

Ethiopia.Kenya N/AMadagascar This will depend on the availability of fundsNigeria YEAR 2002Tanzania Depends on availability of money.Zimbabwe Plans are in place to start an NWP unit before 2002

(iii) Do you have any COMPUTERS (PCs, workstations, and servers) for access, analysis and interpretation of Global Data Processing products for Public Weather Service (in support of safety of life and protection of property through issuance of warnings, advisories and public education)?

Botswana No Eritrea YES, PCs onlyEthiopia NMSA has two PCs for receiving and accessing GDPS products from European

centers. At present NMSA depends on MDD system to access processed data and other products, which are transmitted through the GTS. There are also some PCs to prepare weather forecast in the studio of NMSA.

Kenya YESMadagascar NO. Computers (PC 386s) in the Climate Division are very old and need replacementNigeria ACCESS (YES), ANALYSIS (NO) Tanzania PWSP-Information is relayed to users through Radio, TV, and Newspapers (i.e. print

and electronic media). There is need to have dedicated lines and microwave links (e.g.Vsat) to relay information to Zonal (regional) offices who will pass it to extension officers to give it to the users (peasant farmers, pastoralists, etc).

Zimbabwe PDUS, MDD, ICL SERVER, SEQUEL SERVER (SQL), COMPUTERS FOR WEATHER RADARS.

If NO Do you have any plans to have computers for access and analysis of Global Data

Processing products for Public Weather Service (to enhance safety of life and protection of property in the country ) at your centre in the near future?

Botswana N Eritrea N/AEthiopia Yes Kenya YESMadagascar NO. Computers (PC 386s) in the Climate Division are very old and need replacementNigeria ACCESS (YES), ANALYSIS (NO) Tanzania NZimbabwe N

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When? Botswana No plans due to financial constraints, but we are in need of computers for access and

analysis of GDPS for PWSP.Eritrea N/AEthiopia NKenya N/AMagagascar This is based on the availability of funds from a sponsor or IOC Project in 2002Nigeria ANALYSIS: 2002 - 2004 PLANTanzania NZimbabwe There are plans to acquire SADIS (for aviation forecasts), AMEDIS (for NWP or GCMs

products) by 2002.

(iv) Do you have any facilities for PWSP STUDIO for dissemination of forecasts and weather/climate related information to the public (in support of safety of life, protection of property through issuance of early warnings, advisories and public education)?

Botswana NO Eritrea We are using the NEWS media facilities to disseminate our forecast

for the public. However, we need PWSP STUDIO in order to prepare proper presentations and be able to edit weather presentations in case of mistakes. We need trained personnel in weather presentation and graphics preparation.

Ethiopia Yes, recently NMSA acquired new studio equipment granted from the Government of UK through the WMO VCP program.

Kenya YESMagagascar YES

A TV weather presentation system was provided by the UK Met Office in 2000( a ANI-PRO system that uses either power-point or adobe photoshop);

Nigeria YESTanzania YES

Zimbabwe A Met Officer goes to present weather forecast on Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation TV every day.

The Met Service applied for a WMO-VCP to get equipment for own studio. New building has room for PWS studio.

If YES How efficient is your centre in disseminating forecasts, warnings and advisories to the public,

policy-makers and users of meteorological products?Botswana N/A Eritrea So far, our public forecast is ok . However, we need new facilities and more local data to

be reliable and effective. Ethiopia NMSA renders efficient service to the public and policy-makers by providing early

warnings and advisories. It issues weather forecasts of different time scales. The forecasts issued are so reliable that there is a positive feed back form the user community. Policy makers, UN organizations and most of foreign NGOs in the country use the products for planning their activities. The climate data are not fully computerized and the service of our archiving center doesn't fully meet the demands of users. Weather forecasts are disseminated on national TV broadcasts six days per week.

Kenya The studio is capable of providing vital services but need more equipment to make itself sustaining. The majority of listeners are on radio and radio broadcast need more improvement

Madagascar There is no problem of information dissemination of weather in Antananarivo. This includes dekadal bulletins (from the Climate Division- every 5th, 15th, and 25th of the month) on TV;

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However, owing to the new administrative structure, there is need to upgrade and to extend efficient dissemination system to the 6 Independent Provinces ;

Fax, phones and 1-hourly broadcast by national radio are used to issue warnings in case of emergency;

There is need to increase the climate bulletins from just monthly and 6-monthly. Nigeria ABOUT 40% EFFICIENT (SEND TAPE MANUALLY)Tanzania The national radio responds well to our request to broadcast warning of severe weather events. Zimbabwe E-mail, Fax, public broadcast through the ZBC TV, Radio and Print media;

Severe weather warnings are channeled to relevant units of government i.e. Civil Protection Unit (CPI);

Seasonal forecasts are also issued through a national workshop of stakeholders (Agriculture, Water, Industry);

Dissemination of seasonal forecasts is also done through Ministry of Agriculture to Extension Officers then to farmers.

If NO In your opinion, what would be a suitable solution to this problem?

Botswana Paramount to have our own STUDIO to ensure efficient and effective preparation of weather forecasts and warnings for PWS;

Training of forecasters/personnel to develop and create public-tailored packages; Train personnel in presentation skills, communication, public relations and public education

skills. Eritrea So far, our public forecast is ok . However, we need new facilities and more local

data to be reliable and effective.Ethiopia NKenya N/AMagagascar N/ANigeria 60% 0F INFORMATION TO BE DELIVERED THROUGH DATA

STREAMING BY VSATTanzania To have a good relationship with national radio for quick dissemination of warnings and

advisories of severe weather and extreme climate events. Zimbabwe Weather/Climate Information reaches only those who have TV, Radio and can buy

Newspapers; Information cannot reach the rural poor, especially if there is an imminent cyclone; For effective dissemination of seasonal forecasts, outreach programs should be designed

for officers go to schools in remote areas.

In Your OpinionHow can the facilities for GDPS and PWSP be integrated at your NMS for optimal use?

Botswana Acquire decoders and data processing equipment for access and analysis of data from different NWP centres received through GTS to increase the number of variables for use in weather forecasting;

An internet link through a FIREWALL, an internet webserver and trained data processing human resources would also provide an optimal integrated system;

Training in GDPS and PWSP is essentialEritrea We need to be connected with GTS, LAN and WAN.Ethiopia To make optimum use of GDPS and PWSP service, there should be an

integrated networking of the two facilities. The computer facilities of the agency should be fully networked for accessing the GDPS products and for dissemination purposes.

Historical climate data must be computerized to facilitate GDPS and PWSP.

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Improved capacity in terms of equipment and man power is required. The archive should be modernized. Dos-based Clicom version 3.1 must be changed to windows base system.

Kenya The computers used for satellite reception, Global models, products and data are not integrated. Easy interpretation requires a system which overlays all these products to analyse evolution and location of weather systems. The necessary softwares that can put the process into one unit would help.

Madagascar Connect all the GDPS equipment to a server workstation for ease access by the PWS and other users of the products.

Upgrade the GTS in the sub-region for improved communication links with the provinces; To get appropriate equipment and to train more perssonnel in PWSP and tecnicians; Enhance collaboration between the Met service and the TV, Radio stations; Introduction of e-mail facilities and RANET in provinces.

Nigeria USE OF COMPUTERIZED SYSTEM AND NETWORKING LIKE VAX - ORIENTED SYSTEM

Tanzania GDPS and PWSP should belong to the same section i.e. National Meteorological Center (NMC). Zimbabwe GDPS and PWSP facilities should be put under the same units;

There is need to centralize operations for optimal use of facilities (e.g. put aviation under Forecasting).

2. HUMAN RESOURCE PRESENT AT THE CENTREHow many people at your centre are trained in:a) Dynamical Modeling including

NWP; Regional Climate Modeling using RegCM; Verification of model output; Data Entry and Archival

Botswana None Eritrea We have two (2) employees for Data Entry and Archival.

However, we need more trained personnel in the above fields. Ethiopia There are no experts trained in the above fields so far.Kenya FourMadagascar 2 in Inter-regional Unit;

2 in Study and Research DivisionNigeria NWP (ONE) Tanzania 4:Pyuzza, Suleman, Pembe, KanembaZimbabwe 2 officers are in training at the SAWB on MM5 and Eta models

b) Seasonal Forecasting using empirical statistical models.

Botswana 3Eritrea It is the only model practiced and only two (2) people are trained in it.Ethiopia Three experts trained in the empirical statistical models in DMC NairobiKenya SixMadagascar 1 in Climate section;

2 in Study and Research DivisionNigeria FOURTanzania 5Zimbabwe 8

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(d) Analysis and Interpretation of GDPS products from the GTS in order to add value to national and regional forecasts?

Botswana None Eritrea We use it as the only available system, and 8 people are trained in it.Ethiopia The GDPS products are analysed by meteorologists trained in various regional centres. Kenya TwoMagagascar 4 in Forecast DivisionNigeria 4 in Forecast DivisionTanzania We need HORACE or SYNAGIE software to overlay NWP products from GCMsZimbabwe Most analysts are capable but would do much better with Synergie,Horace, AWIPS or

MICAPS to overlay NWP?GCM products with satellite imagery.

(e) PWSP for TV weather broadcast and presentation?

Botswana None Eritrea We use it in a routine way, but further training in applying advanced systems is required.

At present only two (2) people are doing the job without proper training. Ethiopia Four meteorological officers have participated in one month TV broadcast

and presentation training conducted by the studio of the Kenya Meteorological Department. No formal training was given at a higher level. Besides no expert trained in Unix, quick basics, Internet, web site setup etc. No software and hardware professionals.

Kenya ElevenMagagascar 3 operators; 3 presenters; 1 supervisor.

1 in Forecast Division ; 2 in Inter-regional Unit.

Nigeria TWOTanzania 6Zimbabwe 3

(f) Information and Communication Technology (ICT): E.g. use of computer software (Word, Excel, Access, Unix, Fortran, C, C+, Quick Basic), Internet, networking, setting-up a web-site, knowledge in computer-aided learning (CAL), etc. Knowledge in ICT is envisaged to minimize costs in the implementation of GDPS and PWSP.

Botswana Total of 3 officers from Data Processing and Engineering Divisions;9 other officers given basic training in “word” and “excel” only.

Eritrea Limited knowledge with Word, Excel, Access, Internet, networking, but no access in the other soft wares. More people are needed to be trained in ICT.

Ethiopia There were few experts of NMSA who had received a formal training in the field of IT and ICT. However, all of the IT personnel left the agency. Currently NMSA has no experts in this field.

Kenya DPS - 20; Engineering - 5; Institute - 4Total - 29

Magagascar 6 in Forecast Division (Word, Excell, Powerpoint,Publisher, adobe Photoshop, ANI-PRO); 1 in Climate Section 1 in Study and research (Fortran, Internet)

Nigeria ABOUT 10% OF PERSONNEL (660 PROFESSIONALS) Tanzania 1Zimbabwe Internet-a few officers have informal knowledge;

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Networking- 5; Setting-up a website- 3; CAL- zero.

(g) Seismology (since NMSs have the necessary observation network to monitor earth tremors)?

Botswana No Eritrea It is not within our Service. ( But it is available at the Asmara University). Ethiopia NMSA is not at the moment mandated to provide seismological Services . At present it

has no trained manpower to establish the service to operate seismological stations.

Kenya Seven based at the University of NairobiMagagascar N/ANigeria NoTanzania NoZimbabwe No

(g) Decoding of data sets written in any one of the following formats? GRID; GRIB; BUFR; CREX.

Botswana No Eritrea NOEthiopia No experts have trained to decode data sets in the above format except GRID data. Kenya No expert but decoding possible with the aid of Mannual. Magagascar 0Nigeria NTanzania NZimbabwe N

If you do not have personnel in (a), (b),(c), (d), (e), (f) and (g) what plans are in place to build capacity in either one or all of the programme at your center?

Botswana Training personnel in NWP and GDPS is very essential if funds could be available probably through WMO and / CFTC. Plans are in place to train more people. However, there is need for sponsorship

Eritrea There is a need for funding for training in all Meteorological disciplines.* Training in all Sectors of Meteorology for the existing man-power and new recruits. As a priority for the available manpower from WMO class II up to specialized courses in different meteorological disciplines are recommended.* Needs assessment on Human Resource Development Consultancy.

Ethiopia NMSA is looking for VCP and other assistance to build the capacity of human resources. There is a top priority to train meteorological and IT personnel provided funds are available from national as well as development partners.

There is an urgent need for trained experts at short and long term training particularly in the field of climate modeling, NWP, Remote sensing,

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Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Dynamic and physical meteorology, ICT, meteorological communications and applied meteorology (Hydrometeorology, Climatology and Agrometeorlogy)

Kenya Training We are still weak in Numerical Weather Prediction. More training is required in the area and climate modeling using Regional Climate Models RegCMs

Madagascar Training Enhance training workshops, seminars and attachments; Provision of appropriate and relevant equipment; Periodic training for our technicians

Nigeria USE OF EXPERT MISSIONS IN TRAININGCONTINUOUS TRAINING AND RETRAININGESTABLISHMENT OF ICT AS A UNIT UNDER TRAINING

SPECIALIZED TRAINING AND RETRAININGTanzania Training in ICT with assistance from WMO

Periodic training of officers through workshops, seminars and short courses to upgrade and improve skills of officers already trained in special areas.

Special programs should be put in place to train personnel in deficit areas like ICT.

Zimbabwe Plans are in place to train more people. However, there is need for sponsorship

Training of officers and attachments through partnerships with regional and international centres of excellence

3. DATA AND PRODUCTS FROM THE GTS IN USE AT YOUR CENTRE

Do you get the basic information from GDPSs centres to use in your national forecasts?(SYNOP (e.g. SYNOP-500), TEMP (e.g. TEMP-600), SATEM, SATOB, OPMET(METAR, TAFs), AIREP, SHIP, received through the GTS).

If YES, How do you access the above mentioned data sets?Through: Internet; Visiting web-sites; On GTS

Botswana YesEritrea Yes we do. (We get all the available data from MDD)Ethiopia Most of the datasets from the GTS are accessed through MDD and SADIS reception

systems. Kenya YESMadagascar On GTS

Nigeria YESTanzania YES. Because of low speed in data link to Nairobi, we asked for only SYNOP since if we include

TEMP more time will be used in waiting for downloading data and hardly any for timely forecast. Also TEMP is scarce over Africa and there was no need to ask that which is rarely available

Zimbabwe SYNOP, TEMP, SATEM, AIREP, OPMET (TAFS, WARNINGS, METERS);However, NWP/GCM products are not accessed due to luck of facilities like AMEDIS and also

30

due to low internet speed

Name the variables from global centres and the type of format (or codes) of these products?

(GRID (e.g. GRID-20), GRIB (e.g. GRIBE-ECMWF 70), BUFR, CREX, or Facsimile Charts).

Botswana FM12-SYNOP, FM35-TEMP, FM33-SHIP, FM42-AMDAREritrea In GRID format

GRIB and BUFR; are to be introduced soon. GRIB and BUFR; are to be introduced soon.

Ethiopia The SYNOPS and TEMP data originated from ECMWF and METEO-FRANCE and other centers are decoded in traditional code formats. We use different Facsimile charts released by these centers.

Kenya Variables include Pressure, cumulative rainfall, wind, temperature and geopotentials

Magagascar NNigeria GRID, GRIB, BUFR AND FACSIMILE CHARTSTanzania GRID format

OPMET (Operational Met) which gives TAFS, METERS, Warnings, etc. Zimbabwe GRIDDED Data

4. DATA INPUT SYSTEM Is the input system at your centre Automated or Non-Automated?

Botswana NON-AUTOMATEDEritrea Both, Automated or Non-Automated. ( Our data is collected through

Telephone, SSB,RTT and MDD).But not connected to GTSEthiopia The system is partially automated since September 2000. CLICOM 3.1

has been installed on a server and climatological data are keyed in 8 PCs networked to a PC workstation. Due to lack of trained manpower, however, handling the database and computer Network become increasingly difficult. The old AMSS system, which was used for data exchange before January 2000 was replaced by a new MESSIR system. It is connected by a WAN to RTH-Nairobi. The system failed as a result of poor quality data line and numerous communication obstacles. NMSA requested technical assistance from WMO to resolve the longstanding problem. A router was send to RTH-Nairobi for repair. However, we need financial support to acquire a new router.

Kenya AutomatedMagagascar Non-AutomatedNigeria NON - AUTOMATEDTanzania Semi-automated:

National links use SSD or normal telephone. Data bulletins are made then the organized data is keyed into AMSS for transmission.

Automatic routing is used for data from Mwanza, Kilimanjaro, and Zanzibar. Zanzibar has a dedicated line of 28.4.Kbs.

Zimbabwe Manual; ICT should automate the input system.

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5. QUALITY CONTROL SYSTEM What Quality Control System do you use at your centre? At the observation sites; At the data collecting centres; At the time of archiving the data.

Botswana Manual at observation sites and collection centers. Clicom at data entry/archive which has in-built quality control.

Eritrea At the data collecting centres; and at the time of archiving the data. Ethiopia Data collected from national network of stations at our meteorological

communication center are checked and are manually quality controlled before they are sent for international exchange. Moreover, we make quality control at regional, collecting and archiving centers.

Kenya i) Double entryii) Global and local limit checks Both done at Data Processing Section (DPS)

Madagascar Quality Control System is Manual at the data collecting centresNigeria MANUAL BUT COMPUTERISED AT TIME OF ARCHIVING USING

CLICOMTanzania Semi-automated:

National links use SSD or normal telephone. Data bulletins are made then the organized data is keyed into AMSS for transmission.

Automatic routing is used for data from Mwanza, Kilimanjaro, and Zanzibar. Zanzibar has a dedicated line of 28.4.Kbs.

Zimbabwe Manual Check

Is the information disseminated by your centre to the GTS, controlled or non-controlled?

Botswana Non-Controlled Eritrea We are not connected to the GTS at this momentEthiopia The Synoptic and upper-air data are checked for quality at our NMC

before disseminating to RTH-Nairobi for global exchange.Kenya ControlledMadagascar Controlled by the ASECNA servicesNigeria CONTROLLEDTanzania Controlled; the machine detects error. Zimbabwe Non-controlled through the telex system.

What changes are made to observations as a result of the quality control before they are put on the GTS?

Botswana Manually identified error are correctedEritrea Its quality is controlled and archived.Ethiopia Data suspected of error are removed from International dissemination and the stations are

advised to clarify the origin of the error in their subsequent observations.Kenya Amendments made as necessaryMadagascar Correction changesNigeria SUSPECT DATA ARE CORRECTED OR FLAGGED OFFTanzania Manual checksZimbabwe The changes are subject to the nature of the error on a given parameter. A visual check

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by an experienced officer will identify the error and make necessary changes

Is the Scale of Monitoring of the quality of observations at your center National, Regional or Global?

Botswana National Eritrea NationalEthiopia National data quality monitoring is carried out in our meteorological

communication and data archive centersKenya NationalMadagascar NationalNigeria NATIONALTanzania National + Regional and once a year in November, we conduct real-time global monitoring of

SYNOP using WMO guidelinesZimbabwe National

6. MONITORING OF THE OBSERVING SYSTEMIs monitoring of observing system (e.g. for surface observations, upper-air observations, etc) implemented, or not, at your centre?

Botswana ImplementedEritrea Yes we doEthiopia Continuous monitoring of observing system is implemented at National

levelKenya YESMadagascar Not yet in placeNigeria IMPLEMENTEDTanzania YESZimbabwe YES

If YES, Is this exercise performed on the National, Regional or Global scale?

Botswana Regional Eritrea It is performed at the National level.Ethiopia It is performed at National levelKenya I) National

II) The centre is the focal point for regional surface pressure observations monitoring. This is going on.

Madagascar N/ANigeria NATIONALTanzania National + Regional and once a year in November, we conduct real-time global monitoring of

SYNOP using WMO guidelinesZimbabwe National

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7. FORECASTING SYSTEM

7.1 System Run Schedule And Forecast RangesName the number of the operational models in use at your centre in the following areas:(a) Empirical statistical models (SYSTAT, CLIMLAB, MATLAB, CLICOM, INSTAT).(b) Dynamical models (GCM, MM5, Eta, RAMS, RSM, RegCM2, HRM, GESIMA,HIRLAM).(c) Traditional synoptic chart analysis method + satellite imagery + GDPS products.

Botswana Traditional synoptic chart analysis method + satellite imagery + GDPS products.

Eritrea Empirical statistical models;

Traditional synoptic chart analysis method + satellite imagery + GDPS products.

Ethiopia In the preparation of seasonal climate outlooks of the country we started to use empirical statistical models. The principal software we apply are; SYSTAT and CLIMLAB. In addition, synoptic-analogue method, satellite imagery, GDPS products are used as an input.

Kenya Empirical statistical models (SYSTAT, CLIMLAB, MATLAB, CLICOM, INSTAT). Traditional synoptic chart analysis method + satellite imagery + GDPS

products.Madagascar Traditional synoptic chart analysis method + satellite imagery + GDPS productsNigeria QUARTERLY FOR (a) DAILY FOR (c) Tanzania Long-range forecasting for seasonal rainfall at DMCH and DMCNZimbabwe Seasonal (3-months forecast) using empirical statistical models

What is the model forecast range (short-range, medium-range, specialized forecasting, etc.)?

Botswana No Eritrea NO ModelsEthiopia The model time scale is mainly for long-range forecast (the order of four

months) purposes.Kenya Long-range Madagascar Short-range, and long-range forecasting using statistical methodsNigeria (a) LONG - RANGE (b) NO MODEL (c) SHORT - RANGETanzania Long-range forecasting for seasonal rainfall at DMCH and DMCNZimbabwe Seasonal (3-months forecast) using empirical statistical models

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7.2 Medium Range Forecast System (4-10 Days)Does your centre have a medium-range-forecast system ?

Botswana No Eritrea We use the synoptic chart analysis method + satellite imagery + GDPS

products to forecast Medium- range weather. Ethiopia Yes, we employ synoptic and statistical methods in the preparation of

dekadal weather outlooks.Kenya NOMadagascar NoNigeria NOTanzania None Zimbabwe 10-day forecast is made by using products from MRF, ECMWF, JMA through

downloading of global products using MDD and internet

7.2.1 Numerical Weather Prediction Products from Medium-Range Forecast System

Name the variables, which are output from the operational model or from GDPS centres used at your NMS: (e.g. MSLP, Accumulated Precipitation, WAFS, RH, Geop-500, etc).

Botswana MSLP, WAFS, GEOP-500 from GDPS centersEritrea MSLP, Rainfall, RH, Winds, Temperature, Geop.850, 700, 500, 250 ,200 and 10 meters

wind from MDD.Ethiopia We use all products released by the GDPS centers. Specifically we use MSLP,

Gepotential heights at different levels, divergence and convergence fields and wind-stream lines and upper-level fields.

Kenya MSLP, Accumulated Precipitation, WAFS, RH, Geop-500, 300, 200 etc

Madagascar MSLP, Accumulated Precipitation, wind at 850hPa, 700 hPa, Geop-500

Nigeria SFC TEMP, MSLP, ACC PPT, 10m WIND, 925hPa STREAMLINES, WINDS AT 850, 700, 500, 300, 200hPa, WAFS, DIV, ETC FROM MDD AND MESSIR-COM

Tanzania We do a 24h forecast using synoptic chart analysis, satellite imagery + GDPS productsZimbabwe 10-day forecast is made by using products from MRF, ECMWF, JMA through

downloading of global products using MDD and internet

GCM products are used where temperature tendency charts (temperature forecasts) are made using MDD data;

Synoptic chart analysis and satellite imagery are also used.

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7.3 SPECIALIZED FORECASTSWhich application models do you use at your center to give specialized forecasts requested by customers?(E.G. Sea Waves, Sea Ice, Forest Fires, Frost Forecasts, Building/Construction Industry, Tropical Cyclones, Pollution Transport and Dispersion, Solar Ultraviolet (UV) Radiation, Heat Wave/Wind Chill and Comfort Index, Agricultural Yield Forecast Model,

Hydrology Model for River Flow Forecasting).

Botswana Agricultural yield forecast model (FAO)water satisfaction model. Uses evaporation and crop water satisfaction index and historic yield.

Eritrea Agricultural Yield Forecast Model. The data provided is:- Rainfall assessment and forecast incorporated with actual wind speed and direction,

rainfall amount and cloud image, which is done in a traditional way. ( Onset and duration of rain during rainy season and Agricultural yield.

Ethiopia Although we have not established models for issuing specialized forecasts, we employ ECMWF model products to prepare early warnings on the likelihood of occurrence of forest fire, frost conditions, flash flooding and river-flows.

Kenya Statistical models with the input of NWP PRODUCTS FROM Global centresMadagascar Sea Waves;

Tropical cyclones;Hydrology Model for River Flow Forecasting to the plain management and development in Antananarivo

Two hydrology models are used: F1(Rainfall, Flow-rate); F2(Flow-rate at t1, Flow-rate at t1 + t)

Nigeria SEA WAVES MODEL, NDVI BIOMASS MAPPING FROM HRPT IN PROGRESS

OPTIMAL INTERPOLATIONTanzania We use satellite imagery + Products from ReUnion and Mauritius to make a forecast for

tropical cyclones over the Indian Ocean (Madagascar).

Analysis of climate data for Building Contractors (e.g. Bridge construction); max/min flow, sunshine hours/rain, etc.

Zimbabwe Fire danger Rating during the dry season for the forestry industry (Input= ppt, wind strength, temperature forecast). Ratings of 1-100;1-4950-5960-100: danger;

Frost forecast for agricultural sector (Td, T, cloudiness, wind). When the atmosphere is drier, calm and clear, rapid drop in temperature may result in frost formation which freezes the sap in leaves and kills the plant (e.g tomatoes, flowers, tea leaves, coffee berries).

If you sprinkle the plants, then the water will freeze releasing latent heat which warms the sap so that it does not freeze.

Put dry grass around the farm and light fire around 2-3 am. The smoke will prevent a sudden drop in temperature

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7.3.1 Define the specialized forecast model (as appropriate, related to 7.4) used at your centre

Botswana None Eritrea NoneEthiopia NoneKenya NoneMadagascar There is an intesion to utilize NWP products for hydrological and seasonal forecasting.Nigeria NOT APPLICABLETanzania NoneZimbabwe None

7.3.2 Name the Numerical Weather Prediction products output from the specialized forecast model used at your centre

Botswana N/AEritrea N/AEthiopia The forecast model outputs used in our long-range section are generally

originated from NOAA/NCEP, UK Met-office and ECMWF. Kenya Rainfall, Temperature, humidity, windMadagascar None at the moment. But, it is recognized that short and medium-range forecasting of rainfall are

essential to hydrological forecasting modeling. The hydrological service need to use NWP output and plan a dedicated connection into the forecast division.

Nigeria SIGNIFICANT WAVE HEIGHTS, SWELLS, WAVE DIRECTIONMODEL OUTPUT STATISTIICS (MOS)

Tanzania N/AZimbabwe N/A

7.4 EXTENDED RANGE FORECASTS (10 DAYS TO 30 DAYS) Define the Models, Methodology and Products for the Extended-range forecast methods used at your centre.

Botswana NoneEritrea It is provided using Traditional and Statistical methods; (dekadal and monthly) Ethiopia Depending on the seasons within the particular area of the country,

synoptic-analogue method is mainly employed. However, in the main and small rain seasons statistical methods are used in conjunction with ECMWF products to prepare rainfall outlook of the period of interest. The results are compared with model outputs of regional centers before issuing the forecast of the dekad or month.

Kenya Mainly conventional and statisticalMadagascar Subjective analysis of numerical products from world climate centresNigeria NILTanzania Traditional forecast methods: chart analysis + satellite imagery + GDPS products. Zimbabwe NO monthly forecasts

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7.5 LONG-RANGE FORECASTS (30 DAYS UP TO TWO YEARS) Define the Models, Methodology and Products for the Long-range forecast methods used at your centre

Botswana Issue seasonal (3 months) outlook under SARCOF collaborationEritrea N/AEthiopia Empirical statistical models are partially used in the preparation stage of

seasonal climate outlooks. It is only recently we adapt this model as operational tool for long-range forecasting. The performance of the forecast made by this model is reasonably good and can be used for early warning of rainfall situations with in a particular season. Other forecasting methodologies like Statistical, synoptic, analogue and tele-connection are also used in association with the model.

Kenya StatisticalMadagascar Products and data from UK, IRI, NCEP, ECMWF;

CorrelationsNigeria EMPIRICAL STATISTICAL/PHYSICAL MODEL USING

ANOMALIES OF EQUIVALENT POTENTIAL TEMPERATURE ( 'e ) AND SATURATED EQUIVALENT POTENTIAL TEMPERATURE ('es ) DEVELOPED BY PROF. OMOTOSHO, B.O.A. PRODUCTS ARE: ONSET, CESSATION AND LENGTH OF RAINY SEASON; MONTHLY, AND ANNUAL TOTAL RAINFALL

Tanzania Consensus regional forecasts and down-scaled national forecasts for seasonal rainfall from Climate Outlook Forums (COFs) conducted by DMCN and DMCH.

Zimbabwe Seasonal correlating SST and rainfall

8. VERIFICATION OF PROGNOSTIC PRODUCTSDoes your centre produce standard scores (like RMS error for vector wind against analysis, or observation at hPa: 850, 500 or 250 ( e.g. for the forecast range 1, 3 and 5 days)? This exercise is important for self-examination to determine the model’s weakness and strength in making a forecast.

Botswana None Eritrea Yes at a small-scale. We compare the observed weather conditions with the forecasted

one and take the necessary amendments. Ethiopia NKenya We mainly do time series to assess the accuracy of model outputs.Madagascar NoneNigeria NOTanzania NoZimbabwe NO;

Under Consideration. To use Relative Operating Statistice (ROC).

9. PLANS FOR THE FUTUREWhat are the major changes that you envisage undertaking in future to improve data processing system at your centre?

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Botswana Need for strengthening the data processing Unit to establish a data processing system (NDPS).Establish connectivity through GTS with neighbouring GDPSNeed for training in GDPS analysis and interpretation

Eritrea The establishment of fully-fledged National Meteorological Service (NMS) would enable the creation of an Optimum net-work of weather stations within Eritrea in accordance with WMO standard requirements. It will also enable the establishment of a better Telecommunication system to relay observed data from the different sites to the collection centre. It will facilitate better coordination of data processing (i.e. quality control, analysis, and Management) including dissemination of forecasts and prediction services to the Public, Policy makers and other end users. It will enhance the visibility of Eritrea within the WMO member states and give the country a strong voice in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) issues and in sessions of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

Replacement of RHPT for reception of NOAA that is Polar Orbiting Satellite imagery.

Proper needs assessment for HRD in all the Meteorological Services of the country (i.e. enough number of Forecasters for Three International Airports).

Need of Seismic instruments in indicative stations.Ethiopia NMSA is undergoing prior assessments to workout future plans to meet its

requirement of manpower and infrastructure. It is committed to realize its priorities to strengthen the station network. The distribution of surface weather observing stations is not uniform. Additional stations are required on data scarce areas of the country. Moreover modern meteorological communication facilities should be installed to improve data exchange. To achieve these goals it is needed to accomplish the following tasks.

Fully automate the data processing systems. Train manpower in the field of Climate-modeling,

Communication, ITC and other meteorological fields. Equip the processing center with modern computers and Networks. Improve communication systems for national and international

data exchange. To strengthen the capacity of the upper-air networks with

necessary materials. (Radiosondes are in short demand and made the upper-air observing network limited to one station only.)

To install Automatic Weather Stations to remote parts of the country to fulfill the data gap.

Install a new generation satellite receiving system. Security of meteorological instruments from vandalism.

Kenya Enhance Telecommunication capacity; Improve AMSS; Operationalise NWP; Enhance computing capacity; have an integrated system.

Madagascar Restoration of hydrological network (100 automatic stations for river gauging); Improvement of Internet capabilities in Hydrology Unit for data exchange; Computer Aided Learning (CAL) distance learning virtual laboratory network; Equipment for automatic weather stations and river-gauging system; Data acquisition and processing system (hardware/software for basic data management;

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Geographic information system (GIS) and Remote Sensing (RS) applications to hydrology; Expert formulation of technical assistance and feasibility studies e.g. environmental projects).

Nigeria * FUNCTIONAL STATIONS * MORE AWOS * COMPUTERIZATION & NETWORKING OF ALL SYNOPTIC STATIONS* TRAINING ON NWP, CLIMATE MODELING & ICT* HAVE MOU FOR DYNAMICAL MODELING WITH ADVANCED CENTRE(S)* ESTABLISH REAL TIME RUNNING OF NWP* UPGRADING OF AFDOS AND CLICOM* ACQUISITION OF SYNERGY OR HORACE WORKSTATION & APPLICATION MODELS SOFTWARES FOR SPECIALIZED FORECASTS* DATA RESCUE AND ARCHIVING ( WMO-CLIPS).

Tanzania Verification of forecasts (daily, weekly, monthly and seasonal); MSG data; Training in NWP; Training in ICT; Acquisition of computing facilities and archival system.Upgrading of zonal offices I GTS, GDPS and PWSP.

Zimbabwe To get SADIS for aviation forecasting;AMSS for data exchange and rapid communication by increasing speed of internet from 75 baud to 64 Kb/s;Networking of 4 radars to get mosaic;Introduction of NWP/Climate modeling;Introduction of PWS studio;Centralization of operations integration of services (e.g. putting aviation under Forecasting Division) and automating some of the services

10. NAME RECENT WEATHER AND CLIMATE RELATED DISASTER (S) IN YOUR COUNTRY?

Botswana Flash floods due to severe storms and influence from tropical cyclones/depressions (1995). In particular, the floods of 2000/2001 resulted in loss of life and extensive damage to property and infrastructure

High frequency of drought at national level which at times affect several districts Hailstones Feld fires

Eritrea A flash flood associated with severe thunderstorms occurred in different parts of the country during the months of July and August 2001and resulted in destruction of life and property worth millions of Nacfa.

Ethiopia 1998, 1999 and 2000 droughts. Flash flood of 1997 over Awash River basin and Somali region. Forest fires of 2000 over the mountains of Bale region (This lasted

for more than 2 months of Feb-March and was put out by April rains in just two days).

Excess flooding of Rivers in 2001. Flash-floods accompanied by landslides over many areas in the

major rain season of 2001. Increased frequency of Malaria. Meningitis and Rift-Valley fever after

the year 1997.

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Kenya 1997/1998 El Nino floods and 1998-2000 La Nina droughtMadagascar Droughts and floods depend highly on climatological events. This implementation would

help mitigate the impacts on the country’s development through facilitation in the provision of accurate and timely forecast information for planning purposes.

Nigeria FLOODING, GULLY EROSION, COASTAL EROSION, DROUGHT, PLANE CRASH, STORM DAMAGES, HEALTH HAZARDS (MENINGITIS, HEAT RASHES, MALARIA ETC), DUST STORM (HARMATTAN)

Tanzania ElNino associated floods of 1997/98 OND and MAM seasons; Floods in Mwanza (Dec 2000); Floods in Dar (March 2001); Landslide in Kigoma (March 2001); Earthquake in Rungwe (Mbeya); LaNina associated Drought in N.E. Tanzania (1999-2000).

Zimbabwe Cyclone ELINE in february 2000 gave rise to strong winds and floods in the eastern part of the country and floods to the western side;

There was a break-out of diseases like malaria, cholera, typhoid, etc associated with floods; Property was destroyed, people were homeless, grainstalk reserves were destroyed. There was heavy rains from Zambia associated with floods

In Your Opinion How would the implementation of the GDPS and PWSP have alleviated the

associated impacts of the weather and climate related disaster (s) in your country?

Botswana Timely issuance of better short to medium term weather forecasts nwould improve on preparedness

Public awareness through appropriate public and dissemination of weather forecast would contribute to mitigation of floods and droughts as well as other weather related disasters such as feld fires.

Eritrea With the GDPS and PWSP, it would have been easier to make an accurate forecast and timely dissemination of this forecasts to the general public, for safety awareness, and to the decision makers to take contingency plans to mitigate the severe impacts of the weather hazards.

Ethiopia The impact of implementing GDPS and PWSP services would have immense consequences to alleviate the problems pertinent to climate and weather related disasters. It would special significance to minimize the impacts of droughts.

Kenya Create warning for preparedness, response and mitigation of impactsMadagascar Droughts and floods depend highly on climatological events. This implementation

would help mitigate the impacts on the country’s development through facilitation in the provision of accurate and timely forecast information for planning purposes.

Nigeria IMPROVEMENT IN QUALITY OF METEOROLOGICAL PRODUCTS FOR EARLY WARNINGS AND FORECASTS

INCREASED METEOROLOGICAL AWARENESS REDUCTION IN ATTENDANT WEATHER/CLIMATE

RELATED DISASTERS. ENSURE FOOD SECURITYCONTRIBUTE TO NATIONAL ECONOMY

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Tanzania GDPS products helped predict the 197/98 ElNino floods i.e. a statistical model constructed in 1996 had indicated above-normal rainfall over much of mainland Tanzania.

Zimbabwe Weather radar and satellite pictures helped in the forecast of the cyclone track and heavy precipitation.

The major problem was to disseminate the information; the Civil Protection Unit, with only one copter, lacked the capacity to offer rescue operations

11. Name Any PROJECTS In Your Centre That Are Relevant And Could Be Utilized In The Improvement Of GDPS And PWSP At Your NMS.

Botswana Acquisition of PWSP TV studio and training in TV weather presentation and preparation of graphics;

Initiation of Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) Unit; Capacity building in GDPS and PWSP; Acquisition of equipment , in particular MDD, AMEDIS computers, radars,

upgrading the internet connectivity and GTS LAN; A GIS related project for improved productivity to users; Automation of data acquisition and dissemination in climate modelling.

Eritrea 1) Establishment of a fully operational NMS in Eritrea;2) Establishment of LAN and WAN ;

3)The other envisaged projects that need financial assistence in funding are:* Establishment of new stations within Eritrea (synoptic, agro met, upper-air and rainfall stations)* Enhancement of data communication network, such as more SBB and RTT;* GTS connection with Nairobi RTH;* Establishment of an Institute of Meteorology.* Enhancement of training man-power, especially in WMO Classes II and I including specialized training in areas like the Agro met, Aeronautical Met, Hydrometeorology, Climatology, Marine Met, etc;

4) To establish PWSP studio for effective dissemination of weather forecasts;5) Procurement of the SADIS equipment for AFTN data dissemination to aviation.

Ethiopia Required Activities and resources to improve data Management processing and Dissemination in National Meteorological services Agency of Ethiopia.

Current Status of Data Processing and Archiving: Data in electronic format before September 2000 are unable to retrieve. CLICOM 3.1 has been installed in a by experts from WMO on a server in

September 2000. About Eight workstations are networked with the server for data entry purposes. With this Daily Data for Maximum and Minimum Temperature are entered into computer. So far, Data entry of these three meteorological elements for about forty station has already been carried out.

There are also data entered in excel format in different time

Problem Encountered: Skilled Manpower:

o No trained man power in the field of Data Management, Network Management and Programming is available in the Agency.

o No trained man power in data archiving o No trained Computer Programmero No trained System Administratoro No trained Hardware Engineerso Very limited local training to the data entry personals.

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Equipment:o Most of the Workstations networked in September are IBM

486 with low Memory, which made the network administration and maintenance very difficult.

Data Accumulation:o Since we started entering data to computer in September 2000,

the data observation for the last several decades made it difficult to complete the data entry under the normal working load.

o Data stored on tapes using VMS VAX 730 Mainframe couldn’t be retrieved after the machine failed.

Archiving:o The manual archive is highly disorganized and needs to

organize it o So many charts unsorted and unbindo All the data are archived only in one location which is risky.

Manualo No Manual for data Processing and Quality controlo Frequent problems in handling CLICOM could not be

managed by the experts we have at present as they have not been trained

o No Manual on Users Advisory

Required Assistance / Future Activities needed:

Possible assistance in training personals in the above mention fields and fulfilling necessary equipment would be the first priority of assistance. Training needs in the field of Data Management and Programming are at the MSc and different levels to handle climate data.

Possible support/projects to fully automate the data is required as the backlog data which are not yet keyed to the computer is extremely huge in order to serve users of Climate and Weather.

Possible Project to network all data collection, processing, and archiving centers which are envisaged to be launched in the near future at the regional level. Also network all technical departments through LAN.

Possible Project to fully modernize the manual archive of NMSA

Possible project to organized another archive center in different location.

Possible project on data recovery.

Kenya IGAD and PUMA projects on satellite information and facilities; Facilities for NWP and Climate modelling; Automation of airport met runway system; Replacement of automatic message switching system;

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Introduction of weather radar network, automatic weather stations (AWSs), and lightning systems.

Madagascar Project on Management of Water Resources to mitigate the flooding incidents on the population;

Climate Change convention of United Nations; CLICOM, a drought preparedness project; IOC regional program on meteorological cooperation on tropical countries; MSG Transition in Africa project (PUMA); Training in NWP/Climate modeling, including analysis and interpretation of GDPS products; Training in PWSP for media presentation , communication and public education.

Nigeria NWP & ICT FACILITIES* EMPIRICAL STATISTICAL MODEL* REMOTE SENSING ( HRPT, GIS)

* VSAT* RADAR NETWORK* AWOS* TRAINING IN NWP, ICT & REMOTE SENSING ( HRPT, GIS,

RADAR & SATELLITE)* DATA RESCUE & ARCHIVING (WMO-CLIPS)* FABRICATION/CALIBRATION OF BASIC MET. INSTRUMENTS

Tanzania PWSP-To acquire digital camera; Unix-based workstation for NWP and Regional climate modeling using numerical methods; MSG ground segment for acquisition of satellite data; Weather Radar for tracking meso-scale systems e.g. severe storms, heavy precipitation rain,

gusty winds, lightning and thunder. A project for NMSs tomonitor EATHQUAKES since they have a better observational

network of stations spread out over the whole countryZimbabwe Acquisition of equipment (e.g. SADIS, AMEDIS, MSG satellite antena and data receiver;

Training in ICT, NWP/Climate Modeling; Setting up of PWSP studio;Cost-recovery programme.

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