Weather forecasters in South Sudan received training this month to enhance their ability to predict severe weather and provide early warnings, through a regional twinning approach supported by the CREWS East Africa project .
The four-day workshop, held in Juba from 16 to 19 June, brought together operational forecasters from the South Sudan Meteorological Services (SSMS) to develop skills in creating weather forecasts and severe weather warnings up to five days in advance. The training was delivered by the Tanzania Meteorological Authority (TMA) with technical support from Dr Mafuru Kantamla, Manager of the Central Forecasting Office at the Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre in Dar Es Salaam.
Participants learned to analyze satellite data and global numerical weather prediction model outputs through both theoretical sessions and hands-on practical exercises. Each day began with verification of previous forecasts using satellite information from EUMETSAT, allowing forecasters to refine their techniques based on real-world outcomes.
The training comes at a critical time for SSMS, which currently provides limited weather services including aeronautical forecasts for civil aviation and 24-hour forecasts for a local radio channel. Established in 2011 following South Sudan's independence and WMO membership, the young meteorological service faces significant operational challenges including only three manual observation stations covering a country larger than Kenya, limited infrastructure, and insufficient staff with adequate technical capacity.
"The actual work starts now, with the commitment of SSMS forecasters to make their weather forecasts and verifying them systematically every day, under the supervision of their Director Mr Mojwok Ogawi Modo and the support of TMA and WMO," said WMO expert Alessandro Chiariello at the workshop's conclusion. "This is an exciting step forward for SSMS and South Sudan."
Despite these challenges, the situation is improving through various development initiatives by WMO, support from neighboring countries like Tanzania, and commitment from SSMS staff and South Sudan authorities. The workshop marks the beginning of a pilot period where SSMS forecasters will produce and verify daily weather forecasts with ongoing assistance from TMA and WMO.
Future plans include a follow-up training workshop incorporating product dissemination, a benchmark visit by SSMS staff to TMA's operational facilities in Dar Es Salaam, and the possibility of organizing a stakeholders meeting in South Sudan.
