Monday, November 27, 2017

Insatiable Researchers
The hydrometeorological research is one of the most dynamic efforts in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea at the moment. One of these days I, as a Korea Today reporter, visited the Central Weather Forecast Station of the State Hydrometeorological Administration that plays the pivotal role in the research.

Welcoming me, Ri Yong Nam, a weather forecaster, said, “We have made serious efforts to improve the scientific accuracy in weather forecasting, and thus achieved a lot of successes.”

These days the world is faced with an increasing density of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, which causes abnormal climatic phenomena. The reality shows that the conventional weather forecasting system could hardly provide scientific accuracy and quickness in weather forecast as it depends on old observation and forecasting data.

Well aware of this, the forecasting officers and researchers of the station set a target of developing a far quicker and more precise forecast support system that would be fit for the local physiographical condition and environment. It was a project that demanded the solution of enormous and challenging problems, including building a database on dozens of years of observation and forecast, estimating abnormal climatic phenomena and suggesting relevant countermeasures, considering specific physiographical condition and environment of Korea, and completing a more comprehensive and scientific analogue search system by improving the analogue scales and comparison standards. Even a small miss or mistake might lead to irreversible calamity to the lives and safety of the people and the economic development.

Undaunted at the formidable challenges, the researchers carried out the tasks one by one in close contact with teachers and researchers of Kim Il Sung University. In the course of this the database, the core of the forecast support system, was fully prepared, a rapid variables calculation process was established which is essential for analogue examination demanding high precision, and programs were designed to display the weather map and set up network-based communication.

At last the researchers developed and applied a weather map analogue examination system in a matter of several months. This new weather forecast support system helps to give a comprehensive and much more scientific forecast relying on the analogue-based examination of the factors of weather conditions while referring much less to old observation data and experience.

That’s not all the researchers have achieved. In keeping with the developing reality, they refashioned the observation network and necessary facilities, and improved the time-analysing capability and density of meteorological observation by installing real-time automatic observation instruments in every corner of the country. The well-regulated consultation system involving all provincial branches of the Administration they have set up is going a long way to drastic elevation of the scientific accuracy of weather forecast through dynamic online discussions.

These days the researchers are positively applying to their projects the cloud and precipitation forecast support system, the integrated observation data analysis system, the typhoon forecast support system and other important results they have already obtained.

All forecasters and researchers contribute articles on their experience and general knowledge about weather forecast to different periodicals like Meteorology and Hydrology and Information of Science and Technology. A mobile phone-based data service system is also becoming perfect thanks to their effort.

Choe Kwang Guk, head of the station, says, “The public is getting more and more interested in hydrometeorology, and we know we are not allowed to feel satisfied with our work. We have to continue to improve the scientific accuracy and speed in weather forecast.”

Their effort is growing more energetic with international joint research and cooperation, and exchange of experience and relevant data.

Kim Son Myong

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