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Better Forecasting, Better Preparedness: Investing in Improved Weather Services
ADELINE CHOY JOLANTA KRYSPIN-WATSON ZUZANA STANTON-GEDDES
APRIL 27, 2018
In an era where dly weather forecasts guide our decisions on attire and leisure plans, the significance of timely and accurate meteorological information transcs beyond personal convenience. For millions living in flood-prone areas, these predictions are not just a matter of choosing the right outfit; they're essential for minimizing disaster impacts.
Floods represent the most frequent and damaging natural disasters, with an estimated loss exceeding $1.6 trillion from 1980 to 2016 alone, resulting in over 225,000 lives lost globally Source: United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction. The rapid urbanization compounded by climate change is likely to amplify these losses, particularly in fast-growing nations.
The Chinese proverb a single tree does not make a forest, a single string cannot create music eloquently underscores the importance of integrating water, weather, and climate studies. Hydromet services act as a comprehensive system enabling us to understand, predict, and warn communities about potential hazards. For example, early flood warnings provide crucial lead times for evacuations, safeguarding lives and property.
This technology's transformative potential in minimizing flood risks was highlighted at the InterMet Asia Conference in Singapore, which was supported by the Urban Floods Community of Practice UFCOP. The conference showcased an array of cutting-edge tools and technologies designed to address flooding challenges, including:
Cloud computing systems for improved forecasting at lower costs: Cloud-based services like Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud offer private or public sector weather service providers a cost-effective alternative to high-performance computing infrastructure required for running complex weather forecast. This enables the integration of multiple data sources across various, leading to more accurate predictions and enhanced preparation agnst future floods.
Internet of Things IoT: A catalyst for more precise flood predictions and planning: The advent of low-cost sensors, mobile devices, and IoT networks facilitates the collection and real-time analysis of vast amounts of complex data that inform risk assessment and monitoring. In an interconnected system, aggregated information is pooled in one location, allowing stakeholders to visualize a comprehensive view of any imping emergency.
Impact-based forecasting for early warnings: Bridging the gap between producers and users, impact-based forecasts provide insights into potential hazards' scope and likely effects. This approach ensures that communities are not only informed but also prepared based on how severe an event might be in terms of life and property.
Virtual Reality VR platforms enhance data visualization: By leveraging VR technology, large datasets can be transformed into immersive experiences, facilitating intuitive understanding across various stakeholders. This capability can significantly d decision-making processes.
The WeatherBug mobile app offers users real-time weather updates, live radar maps, and news on the go.
How can countries harness these tools to strengthen their resilience agnst floods? And how can we foster collaborative efforts between public, private sectors, academia, and beyond?
Singapore might offer valuable insights as a global hydrohub with an ecosystem of over 180 water companies and more than 20 research centers across the entire water value chn. Faced with growing threats due to climate change, Singapore exemplifies how advanced technologies can be integrated into effective disaster risk management strategies.
The InterMet Asia Conference, supported by UFCOP, underscores the importance of leveraging technological advancements in hydromet services for enhanced preparedness agnst floods and other disasters.
highlights:
The significance of improved weather forecasts in flood-prone areas.
Cloud computing systems for more accurate forecasting at lower costs.
Utilizing IoT networks for real-time data collection and analysis to inform risk assessments.
The role of impact-based forecasting in early warnings.
Virtual reality platforms as a tool for effective data visualization.
CLIMATE CHANGE DISASTER RISK MANAGEMENT URBAN DEVELOPMENT WATER
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This article is reproduced from: https://blogs.worldbank.org/en/eastasiapacific/better-forecast-better-preparedness-investing-in-improved-weather-services
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Enhanced Weather Forecasting Services Flood Risk Minimization Strategies Cloud Computing for Meteorology Internet of Things in Disaster Management Impact Based Forecasting Techniques Virtual Reality in Data Visualization