Africa, a continent already grappling with climate change, faces a severe challenge in its weather forecasting capabilities.
The continent’s under-developed weather observation network leaves it vulnerable to devastating weather events.
A Broken System
Chad, a nation in the heart of Africa, exemplifies this crisis.
Its National Meteorological Agency (ANAM) struggles with outdated equipment and a lack of trained personnel.
A significant portion of their weather stations are non-functional, hindering accurate weather predictions.
The Global Picture
Africa’s weather observation network is the world’s least developed.
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) reports that many African nations fail to meet basic standards for ground-level observation stations.
This deficiency compromises the continent’s ability to anticipate and respond to extreme weather events.
The Human Cost
The consequences of poor weather forecasting are dire.
Floods, once infrequent, now occur more frequently and are deadlier due to a lack of preparedness.
In Chad, recent floods have displaced millions, caused widespread damage, and claimed hundreds of lives.
A Call for Action
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has urged global action to address the data and funding gap in weather forecasting.
The goal is to implement universal early warning systems by the end of 2027.
However, for countries like Chad, this goal seems distant.
The challenge lies not only in acquiring new technology but also in ensuring its maintenance and operation.
A glimmer of hope
The Systematic Observations Financing Facility (SOFF) is working to support African nations in upgrading their weather observation infrastructure.
By providing funding and technical expertise, SOFF aims to improve weather forecasting capabilities across the continent.
While progress is being made, the scale of the challenge remains immense.
As climate change intensifies, Africa’s vulnerability to extreme weather events grows.
Investing in weather forecasting is not just a scientific endeavor; it is a matter of life and death.
