Month: April 2021

European satellite data key to African nowcasting

Throughout Africa, lives and livelihoods are directly impacted by weather- and climate-related risks. Strengthening national meteorological and climate science capacities holds transformational potential for building climate-resilience across the continent in the coming decade. Nowcasting capability and capacity is an essential part of this goal, delivering warnings and alerts of highly unstable African storms minutes to … Continue Reading

Weather forecasts advance Nigeria’s fight for food security

Scientists are developing custom weather forecasts for Nigeria’s agriculture sector, equipping farmers to feed the country’s growing population. Meteorologists at the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) are independently developing their own sub-seasonal forecast products for the first time through the GCRF-African SWIFT programme. The result is a critical step towards achieving food security and improving livelihoods … Continue Reading

Is Tanzania ready for tropical cyclone Jobo?

By Hellen E. Msemo Declan L. Finney, Cathryn Birch and John Marsham for GCRF-African SWIFT The current development of the severe tropical storm over the South-Indian Ocean, later classed as severe tropical cyclone Jobo, reminds us of the other rare events where such high-impact storms have made landfall in Tanzania. In April of 1872 and … Continue Reading

How skilful are sub-seasonal precipitation forecasts for Africa?

By Dr Felipe M. de Andrade for GCRF-African SWIFT Demands for accurate sub-seasonal forecasts with intervals from weeks to months into the future are increasing across Africa. Such forecasts in particular may support decision makers to take preparedness actions for preventing or reducing the impacts of severe weather conditions on lives, properties and economic activities. … Continue Reading

Weather forecasts signal meningitis outbreaks in sub-Saharan Africa

Scientists are using weather forecasts to predict the location and scale of impending meningitis outbreaks in sub-Saharan Africa. It is part of an early-warning system being piloted with the aim of giving health agencies more time to activate emergency response plans. The approach – pioneered by ACMAD, the African Centre of Meteorological Applications for Development, and … Continue Reading