Investing in digital hydrometeorological data for the developing world

This technical note outlines the opportunities and requirements for developing countries to be able to benefit from the digital hydromet data revolution. Addressing many of the global challenges facing humankind requires the availability, access, and use of huge volumes of digital hydrometeorological (hereafter “hydromet”) data needed to inform decision-making to save lives and infrastructure as well as to exploit the associated economic opportunities. The global challenges include the world’s increasing vulnerability to weather, climate, and water stresses, and they are especially acute in developing countries.

Digital data access, usability, and expertise are fundametal requirements if these benefits are to be realized. This access may be best achieved via public-private sector cooperation and international exchanges of data, which require not only in-country investment in the traditional infrastructure (for example, in meteorological observing equipment such as radar and automatic weather stations) but also in technological innovation in data access and usability afforded by developments in computing and artificial intelligence. And, crucially, the data access must be used as an opportunity to stimulate the whole economy by enabling tailored and integrated services to be provided within multiple economic sectors.