NAN-H-103
Atlas
By Sumaila Ogbaje
Abuja, March 22, 2017 (NAN) The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) said on Wednesday that the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) has introduced a new international cloud atlas in a digital format to enhance weather forecast.
NiMet disclosed this in a statement issued by its Director-General, Prof. Sani Mashi, in Abuja to commemorate the 2017 World Meteorological Day with the theme, ‘’Understanding Cloud’’.
Mashi said the international cloud atlas was the single authoritative and most comprehensive reference for identifying clouds which had legendry reputation among cloud enthusiasts and scientists.
He explained that the 2017 edition had many updates including addition of fresh images contributed by meteorologists, cloud watchers and photographers all over the globe.
According to him, in addition to the updates, the Atlas also contains newly classified cloud types and other meteorological phenomena such as rainbows, halos, hailstones among others.
NiMet boss said the agency would continue to strive toward better understanding of how clouds affect the climate and how the changing climate affects clouds.
He added that NiMet would also continue to improve on its forecasts and other products for the safety of humanity, socio-economic advancement and contribute its part to the sustainable development goals (SDGs).
“This 2017 edition of the International Cloud Atlas is being presented in a new form because the last hard copy revision took place 30 years ago i.e. 1987.
“For the first time in its history, the Atlas has been produced in a digital format and it is available online and can be accessed via mobile devices and computers.
“NiMet since inception has been making observation of clouds and utilising it for weather forecasts, weather alerts and warnings, and for research purposes inter alia.
“No doubt, the new Cloud Atlas will further enhance observation of clouds and use of cloud information,’’ he said.
Mashi said that clouds played a pivotal role in weather forecasts and warnings by helping to drive the entire climate systems and regulate the earth’s energy balance, climate and weather.
He said that clouds were some of the key uncertainties in climate change studies, adding that its limited understanding of contributed substantially to persistent biases on how clouds respond to global warming.
According to him, clouds play a vital role in the water cycle and shaping the global distribution of water resources.
“Understanding clouds’’ therefore, is essential for forecasting weather conditions, modelling how clouds affect climate and the impacts of future climate change, and predicting the availability of water resources.
“This year, the theme of the celebration is “Understanding Clouds” and this theme is chosen to highlight the enormous importance of clouds for weather, climate and water.
“Through observation and research over the years, scientists have come to understand that cloud processes provide vital information in weather prediction, particularly for precipitations.
“A cloud type gives an indication of the thermo-dynamical processes involved, hence the form of expected weather condition,’’ Mashi said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the World Meteorological Day is celebrated on March 23 by meteorologists, cloud watchers and climatologist all over the world every year.
The Day is a commemoration of the Convention creating the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) on March 23, 1950 to replace the International Meteorological Organisation (IMO), which was established in 1873. (NAN)
OYS/AFA
Edited by Felix Ajide