FAO/WMO locust meteorology
Workshop participants
FAO and WMO organized a regional workshop on meteorological information for locust monitoring and control from 8 to 12 April. One locust participant, usually the Director of the National Locust Control Centre (NLCC), and one meteorological participant, usually a forecaster, from the National Meteorological Service (NMS) attended from 10 countries (Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, India, Libya, Oman, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Sudan and Yemen). The workshop facilitators were Keith Cressman (FAO Locust Forecasting Officer) and Robert Stefanski (WMO Scientific Officer).
FAO and WMO organized a regional workshop on meteorological information for locust monitoring and control from 8 to 12 April. One locust participant, usually the Director of the National Locust Control Centre (NLCC), and one meteorological participant, usually a forecaster, from the National Meteorological Service (NMS) attended from 10 countries (Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, India, Libya, Oman, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Sudan and Yemen). The workshop facilitators were Keith Cressman (FAO Locust Forecasting Officer) and Robert Stefanski (WMO Scientific Officer).
The meteorologist from Sudan explains to participants about the seasonal movements of the Inter-Tropical Convergenze Zone
The objective of the workshop was to bring together locust and meteorological expects from locust-affected countries in order to discuss and determine how meteorological information can be used by National Locust Control Centres (NLCC) to improve their monitoring and control operations. NLCC Directors were encouraged to indicate clearly what they needed and why while National Meteorological Service participants were to listen to the needs of their users and then say what they could actually provide. For most participants, it was the first time they met their counterpart even though both are working in the same city.
The objective of the workshop was to bring together locust and meteorological expects from locust-affected countries in order to discuss and determine how meteorological information can be used by National Locust Control Centres (NLCC) to improve their monitoring and control operations. NLCC Directors were encouraged to indicate clearly what they needed and why while National Meteorological Service participants were to listen to the needs of their users and then say what they could actually provide. For most participants, it was the first time they met their counterpart even though both are working in the same city.
Field visit to a typical Desert Locust breeding area on the Batinah coastal plains in northern Oman
In order to sensibly discuss meteorological information, it was important that participants, especially those from the National Meteorological Services, understood the difficulties of monitoring and controlling Desert Locust in vast and remote areas where rainfall stations are absent. A one-day field trip was organized so that participants could actually see for themselves an example of such an area where locust field officers must work in hot and dusty conditions.
In order to sensibly discuss meteorological information, it was important that participants, especially those from the National Meteorological Services, understood the difficulties of monitoring and controlling Desert Locust in vast and remote areas where rainfall stations are absent. A one-day field trip was organized so that participants could actually see for themselves an example of such an area where locust field officers must work in hot and dusty conditions.
A technical officer from the National Locust Control Centre in Oman explains about data collection
The participants were shown how locust survey and control officers in an affected country collect environmental and locust data in the field where locusts may be present. Traditionally, they record their observations on standard forms developed by FAO DLIS. The information collected in the field by these officers is the foundation for decision-making at the national level and early warning and forecasting at the internationl (FAO) level.
The participants were shown how locust survey and control officers in an affected country collect environmental and locust data in the field where locusts may be present. Traditionally, they record their observations on standard forms developed by FAO DLIS. The information collected in the field by these officers is the foundation for decision-making at the national level and early warning and forecasting at the internationl (FAO) level.
eLocust2: a new system for data recording and transmission
Participants were shown a new system of data recording and transmission developed by FAO DLIS called eLocust2. Locust survey and control officers enter their observations into a small handheld computer via a touch screen. The data is the same that traditionally is entered on the standard survey and control forms. eLocust2 automatically connects to the GPS satellites to determine the precise latitude/longitude coordinates of the survey or control location. Once the data is in eLocust2, it can be sent via Inmarsat satellite to the National Locust Control Centre where it arrives about five minutes later.
Participants were shown a new system of data recording and transmission developed by FAO DLIS called eLocust2. Locust survey and control officers enter their observations into a small handheld computer via a touch screen. The data is the same that traditionally is entered on the standard survey and control forms. eLocust2 automatically connects to the GPS satellites to determine the precise latitude/longitude coordinates of the survey or control location. Once the data is in eLocust2, it can be sent via Inmarsat satellite to the National Locust Control Centre where it arrives about five minutes later.
The National Meteorological Office at the Seeb International Airport in Muscat, Oman
Participants visited the National Meteorological Office at the Seeb International Airport where they were shown the various systems that monitor weather conditions on a 24 hour basis, 7 days a week.
Participants visited the National Meteorological Office at the Seeb International Airport where they were shown the various systems that monitor weather conditions on a 24 hour basis, 7 days a week.
Automatic data processing and analysis
The NMS office at the Seeb International Airport contains a large number of high-powered computer systems and servers that manage the large volume of meteorological information. The NMS uses a numerical weather prediction model (NWP) to estimate temperature, pressure, winds and other parameters at various atmospheric heights. As most of the work is automated, only a relatively low number of staff are required to work in rotating shifts.
The NMS office at the Seeb International Airport contains a large number of high-powered computer systems and servers that manage the large volume of meteorological information. The NMS uses a numerical weather prediction model (NWP) to estimate temperature, pressure, winds and other parameters at various atmospheric heights. As most of the work is automated, only a relatively low number of staff are required to work in rotating shifts.
The NMS produces a large number of different meteorological products
The WMO Scientific Officer, Robert Stefanski, explains to participants the different types of meteorological products and formats such as charts, tables and maps that are prepared by the NMS at the Seeb International Airport. These products include current conditions as well as forecasts. Although these are mainly used for aeronautical purposes, there are other important users such as the National Locust Control Centres.
The WMO Scientific Officer, Robert Stefanski, explains to participants the different types of meteorological products and formats such as charts, tables and maps that are prepared by the NMS at the Seeb International Airport. These products include current conditions as well as forecasts. Although these are mainly used for aeronautical purposes, there are other important users such as the National Locust Control Centres.
The National Locust Control Centre of Oman near Seeb
Participants also visited the National Locust Control Centre (NLCC) of Oman where they were shown how environmental conditions and the locust situation are monitored on a continuous basis. The NLCC receives all data from their locust survey and control teams in the field. This data is entered into a geographic information system (GIS) called RAMSES that manages the data and allows it to be analyzed. Based on this analysis, decisions are made of where and when to carry out surveys and, if required, control operations. Other decisions are made in terms of allocating resources such as vehicles, pesticides, and other equipment.
Participants also visited the National Locust Control Centre (NLCC) of Oman where they were shown how environmental conditions and the locust situation are monitored on a continuous basis. The NLCC receives all data from their locust survey and control teams in the field. This data is entered into a geographic information system (GIS) called RAMSES that manages the data and allows it to be analyzed. Based on this analysis, decisions are made of where and when to carry out surveys and, if required, control operations. Other decisions are made in terms of allocating resources such as vehicles, pesticides, and other equipment.
Rainfall estimate maps help to know where it has rained in the desert
Participants spent a considerable part of the workshop discussing meteorological information requirements. Locust Directors had to indicate what decisions that they regularly make require meteorological data. All the Directors agreed that knowing where it had rained in the desert was the single most important meteorological information that they needed. It was decided that satellite-based estimates were more useful than model-based estimates because the former are more accurate in indicating where it may have rained (i.e. the spatial distribution of rainfall) compared to models that may indicate more precisely the quantity of rainfall but not the location.
Participants spent a considerable part of the workshop discussing meteorological information requirements. Locust Directors had to indicate what decisions that they regularly make require meteorological data. All the Directors agreed that knowing where it had rained in the desert was the single most important meteorological information that they needed. It was decided that satellite-based estimates were more useful than model-based estimates because the former are more accurate in indicating where it may have rained (i.e. the spatial distribution of rainfall) compared to models that may indicate more precisely the quantity of rainfall but not the location.
Satellite-based estimates try to determine those clouds that may produce rainfall
Many of the National Meteorological Services are still in the process of establishing satellite-based rainfall estimates, so they are not yet able to provide these products to the National Locust Control Centres. The NLCC Directors indicated that they would like to have geo-reference maps showing estimated rainfall in the last 24 hours (yesterday), for the next 24 hours, and in the next 5 days. This would help to decide where to deploy survey teams and where control may have to be postponed because of impending rain.
Many of the National Meteorological Services are still in the process of establishing satellite-based rainfall estimates, so they are not yet able to provide these products to the National Locust Control Centres. The NLCC Directors indicated that they would like to have geo-reference maps showing estimated rainfall in the last 24 hours (yesterday), for the next 24 hours, and in the next 5 days. This would help to decide where to deploy survey teams and where control may have to be postponed because of impending rain.
Model-based temperature estimates are useful to National Locust Control Centres
National Locust Control Centre Directors indicated that they also needed minimum and maximum temperature forecasts for today and tomorrow on a daily basis. These geo-referenced maps would be displayed in the RAMSES GIS and be used to help manage survey and control operations. The temperature maps would be derived from the numerical weather prediction (NWP) models that are operational in many of the National Meteorological Services (NMS).
National Locust Control Centre Directors indicated that they also needed minimum and maximum temperature forecasts for today and tomorrow on a daily basis. These geo-referenced maps would be displayed in the RAMSES GIS and be used to help manage survey and control operations. The temperature maps would be derived from the numerical weather prediction (NWP) models that are operational in many of the National Meteorological Services (NMS).
NWP model-derived wind estimates are useful for locust migration
The National Locust Control Centre Directors indicated that they would like to have geo-referenced maps showing wind speed and direction at the surface and 850 hPa (ca. 1500 m) for the morning and afternoon during periods of control operations and when swarms are present. This would help in prioritizing control operations and provide rough estimates of where swarms might move to during the day. The geo-referenced maps would be derived from the numerical weather prediction model and displayed and analyzed in the RAMSES GIS.
The National Locust Control Centre Directors indicated that they would like to have geo-referenced maps showing wind speed and direction at the surface and 850 hPa (ca. 1500 m) for the morning and afternoon during periods of control operations and when swarms are present. This would help in prioritizing control operations and provide rough estimates of where swarms might move to during the day. The geo-referenced maps would be derived from the numerical weather prediction model and displayed and analyzed in the RAMSES GIS.
