Observation and analysis of Etesian wind storms in the Saroniko Gulf

The purpose of this work is to study the Etesian winds in the Saroniko Gulf to understand the complicate physical processes that generate the windstorms in the Saroniko Gulf. It is developed a study of the weather patterns characteristic of the Saroniko Gulf and a comparisons of the wind data measured on land by the station of Helliniko airport (years: 1990-2000) and at sea by a buoy (years: 2000- 2002) during the month of August. It is presented a statistical model that shows, as a probability of occurrence, the variations of the wind speed in function of the variations of the wind direction. Finally the statistical model is compared with the RAMS limited area model during a test case in August 2004; the now-casting results obtained using these two different methods are compared to data measured by station of the automatic weather network of the HNM

Numerical simulations of strong wind situations near the Mediteranean French Coast: comparison with FETCH data

A detailed analysis is made of some typical strong wind situations near the French Mediterranean coast. Special attention has been paid to the wind from the north-northwest in the Gulf of Lion, also called the mistral. The analysis is made from both the synoptic and mesoscale point of view with the aid of numerical simulations carried out with the Regional Atmospheric Modeling System (RAMS) to study the main atmospheric, climatic, and meteorological characteristics of this wind in the Gulf of Lion. Simulations were made with this model during the periods of 20-22 March and 24-26 March 1998. Afterward, a comparison was made with the meteorological measurements collected during the international Flux, Etat de la Mer et Te´le´de´tection en Condition de Fetch Variable (FETCH) campaign (Gulf of Lion, March-April 1998). The comparison between the simulated wind fields and the values measured by the coastal meteorological stations, an oceanographic buoy, and the ship Atalante at sea help to give full understanding of the complicated physical processes that characterize strong wind situations in coastal zone

Vulnerability and resilience to drought in the Chaco, Paraguay

This chapter presents an innovative methodology to identify and characterise the vulnerability and resilience to drought in ten indigenous communities (comunidad) in Chaco, Paraguay. The first part studies meteorological drought through the analysis of average daily rainfall over the last 38 years. The second part analyses vulnerability (V) on the comunidad scale. The third and final part analyses resilience (R) on the comunidad scale. The main sources used are the survey conducted for the Participatory community diagnosis (2014), from which 18 indicators have been chosen to measure exposure (E), sensitivity (S), and adaptive capacity (Ac) according to the equation V = (E * S) / Ac. We ascertain that rainfall in the driest areas of the Paraguayan Chaco varies cyclically in relation to the meteorological phenomena of El Niño and La Niña. The operative consequence of this phenomenon is that in the Chaco, drought may be predicted with enough forewarning to launch an early warning in the driest areas. Furthermore, we highlight that the most vulnerable comunidades are also the most resilient. This demonstrates that the various projects undertaken to strengthen resilience have so far benefited the most vulnerable communities and therefore the drought defence has been well directed

Risk-Informed Sustainable Development in the Rural Tropics

Many people live in rural areas in tropical regions. Rural development is not merely a contribution to the growth of individual countries. It can be a way to reduce poverty and to increase access to water, health care, and education. Sustainable rural development can also help stop deforestation and reduce live-stock, which generate most of the greenhouse gas emissions. However, eorts to achieve a sustainable rural development are often thwarted by oods, drought, heat waves, and hurricanes, which local communities are not very prepared to tackle. Agricultural practices and local planning are still not very risk-informed. These deciencies are particularly acute in tropical regions, where many Least Developed Countries are located and where there is, however, great potential for rural development. This Special Issue contains 22 studies on best practices for risk awareness; on local risk reduction; on several cases of soil depletion, water pollution, and sustainable access to safe water; and on agronomy, earth sciences, ecology, economy, environmental engineering, geomatics, materials science, and spatial and regional planning in 12 tropical countries

Rainfall forecasting in tropical‐equatorial environments: a case study of the Seychelles zone

In tropical-equatorial environments, where weather has a high degree of variability, a reliable weather forecast is an essential decision-making tool. To achieve reliability and accuracy it is important to study both the climatological trends and the elements affecting the meteorological variables of the areas under analysis. A precise weather forecast is not enough, however. The way in which the information is presented to users in weather bulletins is also important. The users need to comprehend the forecasted meteorological synopsis and to draw relevant conclusions. In this case study a Medium Range Forecast model was used (NOAA Air Resources Laboratory MRF) to predict, in statistical form, the likely weather conditions. The verification of the weather forecast scored good results, especially in the shorter period (7 days), showing that this specifically designed weather bulletin was a reliable decision tool. In order to demonstrate the key role of the meteorological information to the decision-maker, an economic estimation of the weather forecasts was carried out. Copyright © 2003 Royal Meteorological Societ

Renewing Local Planning to Face Climate Change in the Tropics

This book aims to inspire decision makers and practitioners to change their approach to climate planning in the tropics through the application of modern technologies for characterizing local climate and tracking vulnerability and risk, and using decision-making tools. Drawing on 16 case studies conducted mainly in the Caribbean, Central America, Western and Eastern Africa, and South East Asia it is shown how successful integration of traditional and modern knowledge can enhance disaster risk reduction and adaptation to climate change in the tropics. The case studies encompass both rural and urban settings and cover different scales: rural communities, cities, and regions. In addition, the book looks to the future of planning by addressing topics of major importance, including residual risk integration in local development plans, damage insurance and the potential role of climate vulnerability reduction credits. In many regions of the tropics, climate planning is growing but has still very low quality. This book identifies the weaknesses and proposes effective solutions

Flood Lamination Strategies for Risk Reduction

The purpose of 2007/60 UE Directive is namely the establishment of a framework for measures to reduce the risks of flood damage in Europe. In Italy, the Po Basin District Authority, with the contribution of the regional Authorities, published the hazard and risk maps, which are now in force and available for public participation. A common methodology to evaluate risks is now necessary, in order to set priorities for flood management and the financing of countermeasures (ReNDiS procedure). An analysis for the quantification of risk of flooding is presented in the chapter by means of the proportional index of risk (IRP). In particular, it is focused on the flood’s lamination strategy, at the entrance of Turin, in terms of hazard and the risk reduction. The sensitivity analysis of the main variables that affect the results is presented and discussed. The benefits of the designed countermeasures are evaluated and quantified in terms of percentage risk reduction. The methodology proves to be a suitable means for decision-makers to compare flooding risks in the flood-prone areas, which are mapped by the 2007/60 UE Directive

Risk-informed sustainable development in the rural tropics

This Editorial presents the special issue Risk-informed sustainable development in the rural tropics published by the journal Sustainabilit

Past and Future Precipitation Trend Analysis for the City of Niamey (Niger): An Overview

Despite the interest in detecting the extremes of climate in the West African Sahel, few studies have been specifically conducted on the Republic of Niger. This research focuses on past, present, and future precipitation trends for the city of Niamey through the combined assessment of WMO precipitation indices using RClimDex and the Standardized Precipitation Index. Past daily precipitation data were derived from a 60-year reconstructed meteorological dataset for the Niamey airport station for the period of 1950–2009 and validated through comparison with an observed time series at Niamey airport (1980–2012). Precipitation analysis confirms the literature’s findings, in particular, a decreasing trend in total precipitation over the period of 1950–2009, and a positive trend for data that spans over the period of 1980–2009, suggesting a precipitation recovery after the dry epoch (1968–1985), even if the deficit with the wettest years in the period of 1950–1968 has not been made up. Furthermore, WATCH-Forcing-Data-ERA-Interim projections, elaborated under RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 socio-economic conditions, show that precipitation will increase in the future. Therefore, the Nigerien population will benefit from increased rainfall, but will also have to cope with the exacerbation of both flood and drought risks due to a great interannual variability that can positively or negatively influence water availability