To further strengthen its weather forecasting capabilities, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), in partnership with Korea International Cooperation Agency (Koica), inaugurated the new Communication, Ocean and Meteorological Satellite (COMS) Data Analysis System at the Pagasa Weather and Flood Forecasting Center in Quezon City.
The COMS is the first geostationary multipurpose satellite of South Korea, which was launched in 2010. The satellite is stationed at an altitude of 36,000 kilometers above the Earth’s equator and at a longitude of 128.2°E. It performs meteorological, ocean observations and communications services.
Conceptualized in 2008 through the Korean Government’s Technical Cooperation Program and endorsed by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the COMS Data Analysis System aims to strengthen Pagasa’s capacity to receive and analyze meteorological satellite data and, thereby, enhancing weather monitoring and improving its weather forecast accuracy.
The data from the COMS satellite can provide more frequent updates with a 15-minute interval.
Dr. Flaviana Hilario, Pagasa deputy administrator for Research and Development, said during the ceremony that the COMS project is another milestone in the field of weather forecasting, as the new tools can “better monitor the weather systems affecting the country”.
Pagasa Administrator Dr. Vicente Malano expressed his appreciation for the project, saying that it will further complement the Pagasa modernization program toward its goal to become a world-class weather service provider.
“This multimillion project, made possible through the Korean government’s grant aid and technical cooperation program, is guaranteed to help strengthen Pagasa’s capacity to receive and analyze meteorological satellite data and, thereby, enhancing weather monitoring and improving weather forecast accuracy,”Malano said.
Koica Country Director Shin Myung Seop is also hopeful about the success of the COMS system, specifically in identifying, assessing and reducing the risks of natural disasters.
“The Korean government and the Philippine government agreed to select disaster prevention as a new priority area of the Country Partnership Strategy that would lead our development cooperation for the period of 2017 to 2020,”Shin said. “The Koica Philippines Office is making efforts toward the prioritization of the Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Sector in our cooperation areas from this year,” Shin added.
The COMS Satellite has five channels—one visible and four infrared images—that can generate 16 types of analysis data used in weather forecasting and numerical weather prediction, including cloud detection, estimation of radiation level in cloud-free region, land and sea surface temperature, fog detection and rainfall intensity.
Combined data from the satellite receivers, like the COMS, and other weather monitoring equipment, such as the different Doppler Radars in the country, means more precise and accurate weather information. The COMS Satellite Receiving System is also installed at the Pagasa Central Office in Quezon City, with four local workstations at Pagasa regional offices in Tuguegarao, Legazpi City, Lapu-Lapu City and El Salvador City. S&T Media Service