1. Jemal Mohammed (jemal_moh@yahoo.com)
WMO RA I WORKSHOP ON AUTOMATIC WEATHER STATION (AWS) NETWORKS STRENGTHNING AND MODERNIZING OBSERVING SYSTEMS IN AFRICA, WINDHOEK, NAMIBIA 19 – 21 NOVEMBER 2018
Jemal Mohammed
Director for Meteorological Electronic Stations and ICT Directorate, NMA, Ethiopia

2. The land coverage of Ethiopia is 1. 2 million sq
The land coverage of Ethiopia is 1.2 million sq.km where the lowest point is Dallol about 130 m. below sea level and Ras Dashen, the only Ethiopian peak to exceed 4,500 meters in elevation.
Weather and climate monitoring is carried through observational stations network.
NMA has over 1300 manned conventional surface stations installed all over Ethiopia.
Modern electronic meteorological stations, which are ICT based, play a key role in weather and climate monitoring.
Automated weather stations (AWS)
Automated Weather Observing Systems(AWOS)
Digital Wind Systems (DWS)
Upper air Stations
Satellite Stations
Weather Radar Stations
Air quality monitoring station
Lightening detection station
There are about 300 Automated weather stations (AWS) in Ethiopia

3. Distribution of AWS

4. Sensors AWS -Sensors onboard: -
Rainfall, temperature, wind speed, wind direction, humidity, solar radiation.
Some AWS also have soil moisture, leaf wetness. These stations can be extended to 40 parameters

5. Experiences and lessons learned with automation
Factory Level and Onsite Trainings for experts are part of the procurement process
Hard and Soft copy manuals are included on every AWS procurement
Experts of AWS from abroad are invited to give training on site
Lessons learned
Easy access of real time data
Improvement on data collection, processing, achieving and dissemination of meteorological data
Issues, challenges, and needs relevant to automation
Lack of skill and knowledge on AWS operation and maintenance
Failure of connectivity and coverage of internet access (GPRS network problems)
High purchase cost of AWS and spare parts
Compatibility issues of different brand of AWS
Detailed plan of action is required to implement AWS
Expectations from the workshop
Plan of action on the development of skill and knowledge to perform maintenance service of AWS
How to handle data inhomogenities caused by changes in observing methods (from conventional station to Automated Weather Station)

6. Thank you for your attention