Testbed 2

Using co-production to improve the appropriate use of sub-seasonal forecasts in Africa

Having accurate sub-seasonal forecasts for Africa (2-4 weeks ahead) has huge potential to improve the early warning of extreme, high-impact weather events. Such warnings could support crucial preparedness action in weather-sensitive sectors such as agriculture, energy, food security and disaster risk reduction. However, realising this potential not only requires accurate forecasts, but forecasts that can … Continue Reading

Weather forecasts prevent Kenya’s electricity blackouts

Scientists are developing custom weather forecasts for Kenya’s energy sector, keeping the lights on and generators off.  GCRF African SWIFT meteorologists are producing new sub-seasonal forecast products for the Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen), responsible for supplying more than 70% of Kenya’s electricity. Created using data supplied by the European Centre for Medium Range Weather … 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

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

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