The GCRF African Science for Weather Information and Forecasting Techniques (GCRF African-SWIFT) programme aims to develop a sustainable research capability in tropical weather forecasting which will enhance the livelihood of African populations and improve the economies of their countries. Improved forecasts will address key aspects of the UK Aid strategy. The results will be translatable beyond the partner countries to other nations of Africa and the developing world more widely. In order to improve African weather prediction, fundamental scientific research is needed, in the physics of tropical weather systems, evaluation and presentation of complex model and satellite data, and communication and exploitation of forecasts. The programme will develop research capability to yield ongoing forecasting improvements in the coming decades.

The overall aims of the project are to:

I. Make research advances needed for significant improvements in weather forecasts in Africa, and the tropics more generally, from the hourly to the seasonal timescale.
II. Build capability among UK and African partners to improve, maintain and evaluate operational tropical forecasts in future.
III. Assist African partners in developing capacity for sustained training of forecasters, in partnership with African academic institutions and international agencies.

Our strategy to increase research capability with societal impact is to build upon existing partnerships between forecasting centres and universities within four partner countries (Senegal, Ghana, Nigeria and Kenya) and within the UK. In-country partnerships combine the strengths of academic and operational perspectives and provide sustainability. The project is embedded within the long-term structures and strategies for international coordination for the region. Specifically, our programme addresses the aims of the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO; project partner).

The potential applications and benefits are:

A. New research capability in observing, modelling and evaluating forecasts of tropical high-impact weather;
B. Robust networks of African scientists with capability to advance the science in this field, and pull the science through into operational impact;
C. Significant improvements in weather forecasts, as evaluated using tested methods;
D. New forecasting tools used operationally for short-term (0-120h) and S2S prediction;
E. Significant impact on the regional strategy for provision of user-focussed, quality-controlled weather forecasts, as overseen by the WMO;
F. More effective use of weather forecasts to the benefit of African people and nations.

NERC Reference : NE/P021077/1