Non-Traditional Approaches to Weather Observations in Developing Countries
In many developing countries, given their poor economic circumstances, weather observing networks are usually installed using funds from international development and aid agencies to enhance the capability of local national hydro-meteorological ser...
| Main Author: | |
|---|---|
| Format: | Working Paper |
| Language: | English en_US |
| Published: |
International Finance Corporation, Washington, DC
2017
|
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/674601487155273152/Non-traditional-approaches-to-weather-observations-in-developing-countries http://hdl.handle.net/10986/26122 |
| Summary: | In many developing countries, given
their poor economic circumstances, weather observing
networks are usually installed using funds from
international development and aid agencies to enhance the
capability of local national hydro-meteorological services
(NHMS) and to accomplish humanitarian objectives. This paper
discusses non-traditional approaches for establishing
sustainable weather observing networks in developing
countries, beginning with a brief overview of the importance
of data from such networks to a NHMS. Some of the challenges
inherent in establishing and maintaining weather and climate
observing networks in developing countries are described.
This is followed by a discussion of how these challenges may
be addressed through the development of weather observing
networks based on facilities and capabilities of the local
cellular telephone network, such as the open lattice tower
pictured in the background of the cover photograph. The
paper reviews and summarizes currently available scientific,
technical, and commercial literature regarding use of cell
phone towers as observing sites. It provides a few
illustrative examples of non-traditional technologies
well-suited to making cell-tower based observations. The
paper concludes with recommendations concerning how one may
work with NHMSs in developing countries to improve the
sustainability of their observing networks. These
recommendations are focused on partnerships, in the sense of
true business relationships, involving the NHMSs with, for
example, local telephone companies, other in-country
utilities, and commercial and private sector instrument
manufacturers and data services. For more publications on
IFC Sustainability please visit www.ifc.org/sustainabilitypublications. |
|---|