Observatory organises training on Automatic Weather Stations

Nine meteorologists, from Colombia, Costa Rica, Guinea-Bissau, Kuwait, Malaysia, Mongolia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Uganda, are attending a training course on the "Automatic Weather Station Network" (November 26-30) organised by the Hong Kong Observatory.

This is the 10th time that the observatory has organised professional training courses for the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO). The objective of the present course is to promote the establishment or enhancement of the automated weather station network among meteorological services of other countries.

One of the participants, Mr Jose Luis Araya Lopez from Costa Rica, said, "The training programme focuses on practical aspects. The Hong Kong Observatory has extensive experience in the use of automatic weather observing systems. I have learnt a lot both from the course and from interactions with observatory colleagues. The knowledge acquired will be very useful in solving the problems I encounter in developing automatic weather observing systems in my country". A participant from Malaysia, Mr Afizal Haqeem Shapee, added, "I am very impressed by the observatory's application of technology and the positive attitude of its staff."

The Director of the Hong Kong Observatory, Mr Lam Chiu-ying, remarked in the opening ceremony held on November 26 that "the Hong Kong Observatory has been operating automatic weather stations for many years and is glad to share our experience with meteorological services all over the world."

Currently, weather information gathered from local automatic weather stations is made available real-time on the Internet. The public can access the information and make decisions that best suit their specific circumstances. This detailed and timely weather information service is among the forerunners in the world.

Participants are expected to contribute to the development of their own automatic weather observing systems after returning to their home countries.