Advanced European satellites to benefit African weather and climate forecasting

MTG in Orbit - Virtual forum will discuss the value of data from EUMETSAT's next-generation satellites for Africa African nations' capacity to significantly improve weather and climate forecasting through access to data from Europe's next-generation meteorological satellites will be the key focus of a two-week online forum starting today. Covid travel restrictions have forced Europe's meteorological satellite agency, EUMETSAT, to move its two-yearly Africa User Forum online, but also have made it possible for more participants to attend. "EUMETSAT's Meteosat satellites have a continuous view of Africa, as well as Europe," the organisation's Director-General Phil Evans said. "For more than 20 years, EUMETSAT has partnered with African policy and decision makers, weather and climate experts, the World Meteorological Organisation and the European Union to make our data more easily available in Africa and to build capacity for their best use. "The first of the more advanced Meteosat Third Generation satellites will be launched at the end of next year and will provide significantly more and better weather and climate information. "EUMETSAT is committed to making the data from this satellite system readily available to African weather and climate services, to providing training for forecasters and to participating in capacity building projects on the continent.