In this episode of The WeatherPod, we’re delighted to have two guests who have considerable experience in scientific research on tropical weather systems and in operational weather forecasting in Africa – Professor Doug Parker from the University of Leeds, UK and Dr Mariane Diop-Kane from the WMO Africa Regional Office, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Doug Parker is a Professor of Meteorology at the University of Leeds in the UK and his research investigates the dynamics of weather systems such as cumulonimbus storms, cyclones and monsoons and explains their role in the climate system. Doug played a leading role in the African Monsoon Multidisciplinary Analysis (AMMA) programme, 2003-present. AMMA is the largest and most extensive multidisciplinary research programme ever conducted in Africa, and arguably the biggest programme of its kind anywhere in the world. He is co-leader of African SWIFT project (2017-2021), which aims to improve weather forecasts in Africa.

Mariane Diop-Kane was a forecaster in Senegal prior to obtaining her PhD at the University of Reading. After post-doctoral positions at Météo France and the University of Leeds, Mariane worked at the ACMAD African Centre of Meteorological Applications for Development. Following a period as Director of Meteorology of the National Agency for Civil Aviation and Meteorology of Senegal, ANACIM, she is currently the Programme Manager, WMO Africa Regional Office, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. She has played a significant role in the African Swift project.

Doug and Mariane co-edited a textbook on weather forecasting in West Africa. “Meteorology of Tropical West Africa: The Forecasters’ Handbook” is the first book of its kind, collecting the scientific principles and practical forecasting techniques for a particular climatic region.

Theme music by John Cockram, john@mjcmusic.co.uk