Using the Cloud to Monitor the Weather and Environment in Near-Real Time

Monitoring atmospheric and environmental conditions are essential in developing early warnings to protect the population against possible weather-related risks. The most efficient means to carry out global surveillance is Earth observation (EO) through multiple instruments placed on satellites.

 

The application of satellite data, as well as the skills and knowledge to interpret this data, support the World Meteorological Organization’s competencies for operational meteorology and hydrology to “forecast meteorological and hydrological phenomena and parameters,” and to be able to communicate the information to the end user. The EO satellites offer a unique window to study the continents, the atmosphere, and the oceans. The benefits go far beyond academic work and have a great societal impact, since they collect essential data for decision making in natural resource management, environmental protection, climate change monitoring, early warning of meteorological phenomena, and timely response and monitoring of rehabilitation efforts in cases of emergencies and disasters.