Expert Views

Satellite observations hold key to Africa’s short-range weather forecasts

By Dr Peter Hill, University of Reading New research demonstrates that satellite observations across Africa can be used to provide valuable forecasts of storm evolution in subsequent hours. Large populations in tropical Africa are vulnerable to severe weather, often caused by intense storms that can generate heavy rainfall, strong winds and flooding. Forecasts can be … Continue Reading

Partnership improves weather and climate services across Central Africa

By Joshua Talib (UKCEH), Cheikh Dione (ACMAD) and Pascal Moudi Igri (CACP-AC) for African SWIFT In May 2015 the Central African Climate Application and Prediction Centre (CACP-AC) was formed in Cameroon to provide the latest weather forecast products and climate services to countries in the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS). ECCAS contains eleven … Continue Reading

The Science Behind Abuja’s Summer Flood

By Dr Kamoru Abiodun Lawal (NiMet) for GCRF-African SWIFT On 25 July 2020 Abuja city, Nigeria’s capital, experienced one of the worst floods in its history. This event was a consequence of build-up of clusters of mesoscale convective systems that started as early as the morning of 22 July 2020, through and up to 25 … Continue Reading

Kenyan Lakes reach record levels

By Jemimah Gacheru (KMD), Chris Kiptum (KMD), David Koros (KMD), Caroline Wainwright (Reading), John Marsham (Leeds) for GCRF-African SWIFT Several lakes in Kenya’s Rift Valley have reached record levels, causing concerns for livelihoods and ecology in the region. Lake Baringo and Lake Bogoria, once 20 kilometres apart, are now so close there are fears one could … Continue Reading