IWRA Executive Office

abstract 576

An initiative for improving modeling, observing systems, data access, and training related to precipitation in Africa

Author(s): Scott Swerdlin, Thomas Warner, Rajul Pandya, Fredrick Semazzi, Benjamin Lamptey, Scott Swerdlin
National Center for Atmospheric Research Boulder, Colorado, USA

Keyword(s): Africa, precipitation, rainfall, radar, mesoscale models, education, training

Article:

Poster:

Session: OS1f Africa

AbstractThe U.S. University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) has established an initiative whose aim is to

further develop infrastructure in Africa related to operational numerical prediction of precipitation and other

variables, the observation of precipitation through improved radar and gage networks, the sharing of radar and other

data among African scientists, and the education and training of scientists related to the atmospheric component of

the hydrologic cycle.

Initial efforts include the establishment, in collaboration with the Ghana Meteorological

Agency, of an operational atmospheric modeling system for Africa that is based on the community Weather

Research and Forecast (WRF) model. This model has been operational since December 2006, and forecast

products are being made available over the web to all forecasters in Africa. Precipitation forecasts will be especially

useful for assessment of the threat of floods and for agricultural applications. In addition, weather radars, that provide

high spatial- and temporal- resolution estimates of current precipitation, are being rehabilitated and upgraded in West

Africa. These new precipitation-rate data that are placed on a network and made available over the web will serve

a variety of needs.

This paper will describe continuing activities, by UCAR and its U.S. Member Universities

and International Affiliate Universities, that involve the development of infrastructure in Africa related to the numerical

prediction of precipitation and other variables, the continued enhancement and networking of the radar-based system

for precipitation estimation, and the education of local scientists and managers in the effective use of rainfall estimates

and forecasts for applications in water resources and agriculture.

Events

The congress

Programme

Practical Infos

An initiative for improving modeling, observing systems, data access, and training related to precipitation in Africa