site.btaMeteorology Institute Seeks Funding for Very Short-term Local Flood Forecasts

NW 10:32:01 03-12-2014
SN1031NW.104
104 ENVIRONMENT - WEATHER - FORECAST - FLOODINGS

Meteorology Institute Seeks Funding
for Very Short-term Local Flood
Forecasts


Sofia, December 3 (BTA) - The National Institute of Meteorology
and Hydrology (NIMH) with the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences has
the capacity to make very short-term forecasts - within a range
of zero to six hours - using radar and satellite data, the
Institute's new director, Prof Hristomir Brunzov, said on
Tuesday.

Brunzov explained that the NIMH needs a radar which costs
350,000 euro. Unfortunately, the Academy cannot be a beneficiary
under EU programmes. With another beneficiary applying for
funding, the NIMH could be involved in the project or get
government funding, said Brunzov.

He recalled that Bulgaria was hit by many floods and other
natural disasters in 2014. He explained that synoptic forecasts
are made on a larger scale and are not area specific, while very
short-term forecasts examine the characteristics of a cloud and
predict its movement and development.

Brunzov explained that the system in question is used around the
world to warn specific settlements about heavy rainfall. This
can help evacuate people and minimize flood damage. Radars can
also be used to measure snowfall per unit of area. The results
can be used to determine the water reserves in the mountains and
to optimize road clearing.

The NIMH and the Academy's Institute of Mathematics and
Informatics are also working on a pilot project for local
forecasts for the spread and dynamics of forest fires.

On Tuesday the Academy of Sciences marked the 120th anniversary
of the National Weather Service. PK/DD


/СН/