TOKYOMarch 24 (News On Japan) – The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) will end its practice of visual weather observations nationwide starting March 26, except in Tokyo and Osaka.
Since the Meiji era, the JMA has conducted visual observations every three hours.
An observer explains: “First we look across the sky to determine how much cloud cover there is. We regularly observe the amount of clouds, the visibility range and special phenomena such as yellow sand.”
While basic observations will shift to automated systems, certain assessments considered challenging for machines, such as the degree of clear sky, types and amounts of clouds, and distinguishing between hail and sleet, will end.
JMA retirees welcome the maintenance of the accuracy of observations, but lament the interruption of recording.
Takeshi Furukawa, a retired JMA observer, says, โNo two weather events are the same; they always differ. By recording them, it can be analyzed in the future why they occurred. information from current automated observations is very accurate. It is no problem to use this extensively.”
The JMA plans to continue visual observations in Tokyo and Osaka as part of staff training, using human experiences to verify the validity of machine-based judgments.
Source: ANN
