Weather stations launched across Joburg

The stations can measure rainfall, surrounding temperature, relative humidity, barometric pressure, wind speed, wind direction and lightning strikes.

Lighting over Johannesburg. Photo: CCImages

The City of Johannesburg launched the ATMOS41 Weather Station at Jabulani Fire Station in Soweto, which has paved the way for the rollout of eight more Hydro-Meteorological Observatory Stations at strategic locations throughout the City, Randburg Sun reports.

The first station, which was launched a few months ago, is situated in Alexandra along the Jukskei River.

Since adverse weather conditions have struck parts of the City over the past few years, the stations will serve as early warning systems to avert or mitigate any disasters.

The City’s Disaster Management Centre’s divisional head, Tshepo Motlhale, said the stations will improve preparedness and response times.

Motlhale described the stations as a 21st Century innovation with the capabilities to collect information that would assist disaster management teams throughout the city.

The stations can measure rainfall, surrounding temperature, relative humidity, barometric pressure, wind speed, wind direction and lightning strikes.

The City said when the system is fully operational, the data obtained could be used not only for disaster incident preparedness but to better plan community response teams and the prompt dissemination of information to potentially affected areas. Surrounding schools can also access the collected data for free.

Take a look at an ATMOS41 Weather Station from the Meter Group here: