Operational meteorology in West Africa: observational networks, weather analysis and forecasting

Abstract

Real-time surface and upper-air observations are crucial to the analysis and forecasting of the West African monsoon (WAM). This paper will focus on the African Monsoon--Multidisciplinary Analyses (AMMA)-driven reactivation and modernisation of the radiosonde network over West Africa, its potential long-term impact on upper-air operations in the region, the influence of the additional data in WAM analyses and forecasting, and the AMMA-related development and usage of the West African Analysis/Forecasting (WASA/F) forecast method.