4 research outputs found
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Using co-production to improve the appropriate use of sub-seasonal forecasts in Africa
Forecasts on sub-seasonal to seasonal (S2S) timescales have huge potential to aid preparedness and disaster risk reduction planning decisions in a variety of sectors. However, realising this potential depends on the provision of reliable information that can be appropriately applied in the decision-making context of users. This study describes the African SWIFT (Science for Weather Information and Forecasting Techniques) forecasting testbed which brings together researchers, forecast producers and users from a range of African and UK institutions. The forecasting testbed is piloting the provision of real-time, bespoke S2S forecast products to decision-makers in Africa. Drawing on data from the kick-off workshop and initial case study examples, this study critically reflects on the co-production process. Specifically, having direct access to real-time data has allowed user-guided iterations to the spatial scale, timing, visualisation and communication of forecast products to make them more actionable for users. Some key lessons for effective co-production are emerging. First, it is critical to ensure there is sufficient resource to support co-production, especially in the early co-exploration of needs. Second, all the groups in the co-production process require capacity building to effectively work in new knowledge systems. Third, evaluation should be ongoing and combine meteorological verification with decision-makers feedback. Ensuring the sustainability of project-initiated services within the testbed hinges on integrating the knowledge-exchanges between individuals in the co-production process into shaping sustainable pathways for improved operational S2S forecasting within African institutions
Experiences of co-producing sub-seasonal forecast products for agricultural application in Kenya and Ghana
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Experiences of co-producing sub-seasonal forecast products for agricultural application in Kenya and Ghana
Sub-seasonal forecasts (1-4 weeks) have potential to aid agricultural planning. Realising this potential requires the co-production of reliable forecast products with agricultural users. The African SWIFT (Science for Weather Information and Forecasting Techniques) project ran a 2-year sub-seasonal forecasting testbed bringing together forecast users, producers and researchers in Africa and the UK to co-produce bespoke forecasts. Here agricultural case studies in Ghana and Kenya show having direct access to the sub-seasonal data in real time gave local operational centres the agency to iteratively develop, communicate and visualise the forecast information in an appropriate way to support agricultural decision-making
Environment of severe storm formations over West Africa on the 26â28 June 2018
Abstract Understanding the environmental evolution of mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) is critical for forecasting weather in West Africa. This study investigated the thermodynamic and synoptic environments of MCSs over West Africa on 26 (storm 1) and 28 (storm 2) June 2018. Primary datasets used to assess the diurnal evolution of the storms were obtained from ERA5. The results showed a trapped gravity wave, enhanced by a wellâestablished African Easterly Jet and monsoon trough, was responsible for the initiation of storm 1. Both storms also initiated in the presence of several moist lower (925â850âhPa) to midâtropospheric (600âhPa) cyclonic and anticyclonic vortices, controlling inland moisture advection. The lower troposphere was moistened through moisture advection by the West African westerly jet for storm 1 and the nocturnal lowâlevel jet prior to initiation for storm 2. For both storms, the evolution of outgoing longwave radiation showed a consistent atmosphere of deep afternoon convection. Boundary layer height increased significantly during storm evolution to support the increasing ascent of warm air. Vegetation cover differences may have also likely aided the evolution of storm 2. The passage of gravity waves from decaying storms can aid forecasters to nowcast likely regions of afternoon convection with high accuracy. Under the GCRF African Science for Weather Information and Forecasting Techniques (SWIFT), these findings are crucial in fulfilling the project's aims of improving weather forecasting capability and communication over West Africa