This new tool is programmed to predict weather patterns using in-country data so as to enhance accuracy of its results.
Most Kenyans have been relying on foreign weather apps that can easily be downloaded from the internet.
By embracing automatic weather stations, KMD has been able to steadily increase the number of weather stations in the country, which has helped to improve the accuracy of forecasts.
The weatherman is piloting a new app that will provide real-time and localised updates on Kenya’s climatic conditions.
This new tool from the Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD) is programmed to predict weather patterns using in-country data so as to enhance accuracy of its results.
Ayub Shaka, assistant director and climate expert at the KMD, told the Digital Business that due to the increased penetration of smart phones and affordable internet in the country, demand for reliable and localised weather information has increased.
“There’s a huge demand for this product. And actually, that is what made us think of developing a local weather app.”
Mr Shaka stated that most Kenyans have been relying on foreign weather apps that can easily be downloaded from the internet.
He, however, noted that most of these apps tend to offer a general overview of weather conditions in a place as they rely on broad spectrum satellite information that is not well suited to provide specific on-ground weather updates.
For instance, such apps may predict that Nairobi will be sunny on a particular day.
“But Nairobi is big. It may be sunny in Donholm and rainy in Kangemi since the two locations are far from each other,” said Mr Shaka.
“Satellites alone can be misleading. That’s why we have weather stations scattered all over the country to enable us get the real picture on the ground.”
He said that by embracing automatic weather stations, KMD has been able to steadily increase the number of weather stations in the country, which has helped to improve the accuracy of forecasts.
Mr Shaka added that the KMD has installed at least one automatic weather station in all the 47 counties to enable it acquire sufficient data on detailed climatic conditions from all parts of the country.
Consequently, the organisation is upgrading its online weather portal to enable it offer ‘grass-roots’ weather updates in addition to the national ones that it currently gives.
Through the revamped portal, which will also be linked to the new app, users will be able to click on interactive maps of their respective counties and access weather updates of different regions within them.
Shaka said that unlike manual weather stations which take longer to provide weather updates, automatic ones can give real-time weather conditions which will be ideal for the app users keen on live updates.
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