Mungai Peter N.Mungai Peter N.Kenya Meteorological Department.Kenya Meteorological Department.

P.O.Box 30259-00100 GPOP.O.Box 30259-00100 GPONairobi, Kenya.Nairobi, Kenya.

Phone 254-2-3867880Phone 254-2-3867880Fax 254-2-3876955Fax 254-2-3876955

http://www.meteo.go.kehttp://www.meteo.go.kee-mail: e-mail: mungaipn@engineer.com

AWS TECHNOLOGY AND ITS EFFECT ON SURFACE WEATHER AWS TECHNOLOGY AND ITS EFFECT ON SURFACE WEATHER OBSERVATION IN KENYAOBSERVATION IN KENYA

AbstractAbstract

• In recent times there have been considerable technology In recent times there have been considerable technology advance as far as surface weather parameter measurement advance as far as surface weather parameter measurement are concerned.are concerned.

• in Kenya, the use of automatic weather observing systems in Kenya, the use of automatic weather observing systems has rapidly taken root and is co-existing together with the has rapidly taken root and is co-existing together with the traditional method of manual surface data collection. In traditional method of manual surface data collection. In view of this, it is important to understand the technicalities view of this, it is important to understand the technicalities needed to integrate this new technology with an existing needed to integrate this new technology with an existing one. This paper will provide an overview of how the new one. This paper will provide an overview of how the new automatic weather observing system (AWOS) technology automatic weather observing system (AWOS) technology has affected the existing manual data collection method in has affected the existing manual data collection method in terms of reliability, time, and accuracy, among othersterms of reliability, time, and accuracy, among others

INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION

Geographical position of KenyaGeographical position of Kenya

The republic of Kenya is situated in Eastern Africa, The republic of Kenya is situated in Eastern Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean between Tanzania and bordering the Indian Ocean between Tanzania and Somalia. The country’s total area is approximated Somalia. The country’s total area is approximated as 583,000 sq.km, with water covering only about as 583,000 sq.km, with water covering only about 13,500 sq.Km. The country’s climate varies from 13,500 sq.Km. The country’s climate varies from tropical along the coast to arid in interior with low tropical along the coast to arid in interior with low plains terrains rising to central highlands bisected plains terrains rising to central highlands bisected by the Great Rift Valley.by the Great Rift Valley.

FIG 1: A map of KenyaFIG 1: A map of Kenya

Technology Technology advancement.advancement.

• The country has a well established network of The country has a well established network of Agro/synoptic Meteorological stations distributed all Agro/synoptic Meteorological stations distributed all over the country.over the country.

• Over the years, the Kenya Meteorological Over the years, the Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD) has relied more on the manually Department (KMD) has relied more on the manually collect surface data. This involves physical collect surface data. This involves physical observation of weather parameters by an observer observation of weather parameters by an observer and then relaying the observed weather parameters and then relaying the observed weather parameters to National Meteorological Centre (NMC) for further to National Meteorological Centre (NMC) for further analysis and re-transmission. analysis and re-transmission.

• Currently, most of these surface data observatories Currently, most of these surface data observatories have been successfully equipped by an automatic have been successfully equipped by an automatic weather observing systems (AWS) and the project is weather observing systems (AWS) and the project is still on going for the remaining ones.still on going for the remaining ones.

Fig.2: The Meteorological Network in KenyaFig.2: The Meteorological Network in Kenya

Why AWOS network?Why AWOS network?

• To provide a reliable, more accurate and cost To provide a reliable, more accurate and cost effective source of surface data observations in order effective source of surface data observations in order to support national, regional and global basic to support national, regional and global basic meteorological operations and researchmeteorological operations and research

• In support for short to medium term forecasting. This In support for short to medium term forecasting. This will include will include Severe weather forecast and warning Severe weather forecast and warning services, Public weather forecast and warning services, Public weather forecast and warning services, Aviation weather services (enroute and services, Aviation weather services (enroute and terminal area forecasts), supporting airlines, air terminal area forecasts), supporting airlines, air traffic control and airport operations, Marine and traffic control and airport operations, Marine and industrial applications, Environmental monitoring and industrial applications, Environmental monitoring and warning applications, Climate studies, etc.warning applications, Climate studies, etc.

ChallengesChallenges

• Like any other developing countries, Kenya is faced Like any other developing countries, Kenya is faced by all sorts of challenges ranging from economical, by all sorts of challenges ranging from economical, social and political ones. The Kenya Meteorological social and political ones. The Kenya Meteorological Department, as the government department is one Department, as the government department is one way or the other affected by these challenges. way or the other affected by these challenges.

• The cost of procuring, installation and maintenance The cost of procuring, installation and maintenance of AWS has curtailed the fast process of upgrading of AWS has curtailed the fast process of upgrading the surface observing stations. the surface observing stations.

• Technical Knowledge required for installation, Technical Knowledge required for installation, operation and maintenance of otherwise complex operation and maintenance of otherwise complex AWS has also slowed the impact of AWS.AWS has also slowed the impact of AWS.

• The installation of AWS at remote areas has proved The installation of AWS at remote areas has proved difficult due to insecurity of the instruments. difficult due to insecurity of the instruments.

ConclusionConclusion

• The process of Modernization of The process of Modernization of Meteorological observation network has Meteorological observation network has provided great progress and technological provided great progress and technological advancement to Kenya.advancement to Kenya.

• The Kenya Meteorological Department The Kenya Meteorological Department has embarked on improving the has embarked on improving the knowledge and capacity of the technical knowledge and capacity of the technical staffs to be able to operate and maintain staffs to be able to operate and maintain the AWOS Network.the AWOS Network.

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