Strengthening Multi-Hazard Forecasting in East Africa through Next-Generation Data
Across East Africa, climate variability is increasingly disrupting livelihoods, infrastructure, and ecosystems. From recurring droughts to sudden flooding events, these challenges highlight the urgent need for stronger early warning systems and improved access to reliable, high-quality weather data to support timely and informed decision-making.
To address this need, TomorrowNow, in partnership with TAHMO, is implementing a regional project titled “Improving Multi-Hazard Forecasting through Enhanced Datasets for East and Southern Africa.” The project is funded by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the U.S. Department of State.
The project focus on :
Advancing Weather Intelligence for Early Action
The project focuses on expanding access to high-resolution seasonal and sub-seasonal weather datasets, equipping National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) with improved tools to better understand and respond to extreme weather hazards. By enhancing both data availability and technical capacity, the initiative aims to strengthen early warning systems and support informed decision-making across the region.
Building Capacity and Collaboration
A key component of the project is capacity strengthening. Through regional workshops, training sessions, and ongoing virtual support, meteorological experts are being equipped with the skills to apply next-generation weather technologies in operational forecasting.
The regional kick-off meeting, held in Nairobi, Kenya, brought together representatives from National Meteorological Services in Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda. This engagement marked an important step in fostering regional collaboration, knowledge exchange, and joint learning on the application of enhanced weather datasets for multi-hazard forecasting.
These efforts are designed to ensure sustained knowledge transfer and strengthen institutional capacity across the region.
Co-Creating Tools for Better Forecasting
Beyond training, the project also emphasizes co-creation working jointly with NMHSs to develop tools that improve the quality control and assessment of weather datasets. This collaborative approach ensures that solutions are tailored to local contexts and can be effectively integrated into existing systems.
Supporting Regional Resilience
The initiative aligns with continental priorities under the Integrated African Strategy on Meteorology (2021–2030), particularly in strengthening the capacity of NMHSs to deliver tailored climate services. By improving access to actionable weather information, the project contributes to building more resilient communities capable of preparing for and responding to climate-related risks.
Looking Ahead
As the project progresses through 2026, it is expected to:
- Enhance the technical capacity of meteorological experts.
- Strengthen early warning systems across the region.
- Improve the delivery of climate services to decision-makers and communities.
Ultimately, this initiative represents a significant step toward bridging data gaps, advancing climate services, and ensuring that communities across East Africa are better prepared for the challenges of a changing climate.
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