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

Abstract

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. Copyright © 2011 Royal Meteorological Society