Regional Climate Change Center Initiates Project To Digitalize 73 Years Of Historical Climate Records

The Regional Climate Change Center has initiated a significant project to digitalise climate records from 1951 to 2023. This effort aims to improve data accuracy, accessibility, and support for scientific research and environmental planning. The initiative is crucial for data-driven decision-making in the Kingdom.

Dr. Ayman Ghulam, CEO of the National Center for Meteorology and General Supervisor of the Regional Climate Change Center, assessed the project's progress. The project involves digitising 36,000 historical records from 33 climate stations across Saudi Arabia. This task is undertaken by a team of 73 employees.

The project focuses on converting paper records into digital formats compatible with the center's databases. This conversion adheres to the latest scientific and technical standards. It represents a strategic move towards enhancing digital transformation in meteorology, supporting environmental security and sustainable development.

The project follows five main tracks: cataloguing paper records, assessing their condition, entering and converting data electronically, auditing inputs for accuracy, conducting climate quality checks with specialised tools, and building human capacity through training programs. These steps ensure that the digital records are reliable and precise.

The climate records span over 73 years, collected using precise monitoring instruments according to international standards. Over time, these records have varied in format and language, written in both Arabic and English. They also used metric and imperial systems for measurements.

Monthly and quarterly reports document the project's progress, culminating in a final report upon completion. This documentation ensures transparency and accountability throughout the process.

Saudi Arabia's Role in Climate Monitoring

This initiative strengthens Saudi Arabia's position as a leading regional hub for climate monitoring and weather forecasting. By enhancing digital transformation in meteorology, it supports environmental security and sustainable development within the Kingdom.

The project's comprehensive approach ensures that historical climate data becomes more accessible for scientific research and environmental planning. This accessibility aids in informed decision-making based on accurate data.

With inputs from SPA