Microwave based Environmental Monitoring

Important results from the project

The project has met its objective of making data available from commercial microwave networks. Results have been disseminated through reference group meetings, scientific conferences, publications, and web visualization (https://smhi.se/memo). The evaluation in Stockholm showed that algorithm improvements led to improved correlations and reduced volume deviations compared to 19 rain gauges in the Stockholm area. The project achieved its goal on providing increased knowledge of alternatives to traditional precipitation measurement where MEMO is an alternative to radar.

Expected long term effects

With the operator Hi3G, data from +2000 microwave links in Gothenburg and Stockholm have been collected and made available for calculating precipitation. A large part has been to further develop the algorithm that calculates rainfall intensity and to evaluate and compare it with measured rainfall in Gothenburg and Stockholm. A method was developed to improve the algorithm using artificial intelligence. The improved room and time resolution at MEMO, cf. weather radar, is expected to improve water drainage planning in urban environments to prevent flooding during extreme rainfall.

Approach and implementation

A delivery plan was set up at the project start. The project has also in most parts followed the planned plan. We have recruited a reference group consisting of end users of the rainfall data. Three reference group meetings, all with wide support, were held during the project. A fourth meeting is scheduled for August. The reference group has been active and useful in the form of governance as well as enthusiasm and encouragement for the project. A gender workshop was organized during the project. The theme was norm-critical design and was organized by Julia Jonassson Tolv from RISE.

External links

Realtidsvisualisering av uppmätt nederbörd i Göteborg och Stockholmsområdet under projektet.