Meteorologists from across the Middle East have come to Oman to learn to spot weather patterns from satellites by learning about techniques such as remote sensing, tracking weather conditions and analysing satellite images.
The weather observers are being trained at the Public Authority for Civil Aviation in Muscat as part of the 15th Workshop on Satellite Applications, where they will learn to monitor satellites that provide data every five minutes, leading to faster updates and better preparedness against adverse weather conditions.
The event is being carried out by the Directorate General of Meteorology (DGMET) in collaboration with the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT).
Practical exercises as part of this training programme will include “realistic examples from working environments and vivid examples of the Indian Ocean region,” said PACA in a statement. “Besides that, there will be practical training, provided by specialists from EUMETSAT, international research centres, and DGMET on analysing the satellites imagery through real examples from work environments and other atmospheric phenomena that occurred recently.
“The World Meteorological Organisation, based in Geneva, Switzerland, chose DGMET to host the Seventh Centre of Excellence for Satellites Applications in the Sultanate, as it was chosen to establish and develop a training centre on the behaviour of air patterns and environmental satellites to meet the needs of the region and to sponsor research in meteorology. DGMET hosts qualified Omani cadres to deal with satellite information and develop its different applications, besides the distinct role it plays, and its useful contributions,” added PACA
The centre of excellence in Oman was established in February 2006, as a joint project between DGMET and WMO. By the end of the workshop, the number of people trained since the centre was opened will reach 325 from meteorological centres, water and agricultural research bodies, universities, and organisations concerned with marine sciences. in the Middle East.
Among the most important missions of EUMETSAT is to invest these satellites in the collection of pictures and new data on weather and other elements of the environment around the clock and throughout the year, to twenty countries which are members, and ten additional countries from Europe, to benefit from air and maritime forecasts.
Satellite applications are a relatively modern science, while remote sensing has been defined as the measurement or collection of data on objects or phenomena of interest to a device not directly related to the phenomenon or object being studied. The naturally and artificially emitted electromagnetic, acoustic or seismic waves from the objects or those that are reflected in them are used.
“EUMETSAT satellites are good at covering the Arabian Peninsula and the Indian Ocean and this data is updated every 15 minutes, while in some cases, it is updated every five minutes,” explained PACA. “The second generation of the satellites are known for their ability to show many properties of clouds and to provide more comprehensive detection of natural phenomenon such as tropical cyclones, winter depressions, fog, and dust. Satellite data has a secondary role in weather forecasting, as 70 per cent of numerical weather predictions are based on satellites data.”
Source: https://timesofoman.com/article/2759896/Oman/Meteorologists-to-learn-satellite-monitoring-skills
