RAI WIGOS Workshop on Automatic Weather Station AWS

RA-I WIGOS Workshop on Automatic Weather Station (AWS) networks; strengthening and modernizing observing systems in Africa Windhoek, Namibia 19 -21 November 2018 Experiences with AWS network implementation in The Gambia Presented By Mr. Tombong Komma Gambia Meteorological Services

Geography, Climate and Demography • Location The Gambia is one of the smallest countries on the African continent (~11, 000 km 2), lying between latitude 13 and 14 degrees North, and 17 and 12 degrees West. It consists of a narrow strip of land some 400 km long and 30 km wide on both sides of The Gambia River. It is bordered on the north, east and south, by the Republic of Senegal and on the west, by the Atlantic Ocean.

Geography, Climate and Demography Climate The country has a Sahelian climate, characterized by a long dry season (November to May), and a short wet season (June to October). Rainfall ranges from 850 -1, 200 mm. Average temperatures range from 18 -30 o. C during the dry season and 23 -33 o. C during the wet season.

Overview of Situation of AWS Qty Year of Present First Condition Installation Frequency of Challenges Transmission/ Reading 1 March 2013 Working well Transmits every 15 minutes 2 August 2018 Both working well Reads every 1 Installed with no transmission minute device manufacturer consulted but the bill for modem and training manual were too high, manual monthly download is currently ongoing Not transmitting to a work station due to GPRS configuration set to post paid bills so high manual download is now order of day.

Overview of Situation of AWS Cont. Qty Year of First Installation 9 Present Condition December 2016 8 In good working condition Frequency of Challenges Transmission /Reading Transmits every 15 minutes Server placed at Aviation premises where power is consistent but presently due to problem with internet connectivity transmission has stopped. One station hit by thunder order for replacement of logger ongoing plus some spare parts

How Maintenance of Surface Meteorological Instruments and AWS is Carried out in The Gambia currently is equipped with 10 manned meteorological stations out of which only 2 are 24 hourly synoptic stations 8 are daylight synoptic stations operating from 06: 00 am to 21: 00 hrs 12 Automated stations out of which only one is marine

How Maintenance of Surface Meteorological Instruments and AWS is Carried out in The Gambia Taking advantage of the size of the country monthly nationwide trek is jointly conducted by the Instrument and Climatological units to conduct preventive/periodic maintenance. Preventive maintenance is carried out every 3 months