South African Weather Service

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) is the meteorological service under the South African government's Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism. SAWS is a member of the World Meteorological Organization. The agency is similar to the United States' National Weather Service.

Under the South African Weather Service Act (No. 8 of 2001) effective 15 July 2001, SAWS became a public entity.[1]

Data acquisition

Weather stations

South Africa operates a significant number of weather stations in South Africa as well as stations at Gough Island, Marion Island and Antarctica in cooperation with the South African National Antarctic Programme.[2]

Weather radar

Near real-time (~5 minutes delay) weather radar is available for most of the country,[4] even within the Kruger National Park.[5]

Marine weather buoys

Between 30 and 40 drifting weather buoys are deployed annually.[2]

Weather modification

The SAWS, in cooperation with a number of other entities, is actively involved in weather control research under the South African National Precipitation Research and Rainfall Enhancement Programme, specifically with the Bethlehem Precipitation Research Project[6][7]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "S A Weather Service Act (8 of 2001)". The Presidency of South Africa. 29 June 2001. Archived from the original on 3 December 2008. Retrieved 2008-12-04.
  2. 1 2 "Weather Program". South African National Antarctic Program. Archived from the original on 28 August 2008. Retrieved 2008-12-04.
  3. ↑ "Meteorological Station Location Information". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 2008-12-04.
  4. ↑ "Radar Home". South African Weather Service. Archived from the original on 18 December 2008. Retrieved 2008-12-04.
  5. ↑ Nick Zambatis and Lynette Strauss. "Radar Station Completed". Siyabona Africa Travel. Retrieved 2008-12-04.
  6. ↑ "The Bethlehem Precipitation Research Project". South African Weather Service. Retrieved 2008-12-04.
  7. ↑ "South African National Precipitation Research and Rainfall Enhancement Programme (NPRP-SAREP) 1990 - 2000". South African Water Research Commission. Retrieved 2008-12-04.

External links

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