Bridging the gap: rescuing and digitizing historical meteorological records

This research article presents the findings of a data rescue and digitization initiative conducted in selected districts across Ghana, focusing on the Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMet) archive and field stations. The study involved 200 stations, spanning 130 districts, with the primary goal of resc...

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Main Authors: Kofi Asare, Nana Ama Browne Klutse, Stephen Aboagye-Ntow, Caroline Edinam Doe, Antwi-Boasiako Amoah, Eric Asuman, Martin Addi, Benjamin Adjetey Wemegah
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-02-01
Series:Frontiers in Climate
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fclim.2025.1524029/full
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author Kofi Asare
Nana Ama Browne Klutse
Stephen Aboagye-Ntow
Caroline Edinam Doe
Antwi-Boasiako Amoah
Eric Asuman
Martin Addi
Benjamin Adjetey Wemegah
author_facet Kofi Asare
Nana Ama Browne Klutse
Stephen Aboagye-Ntow
Caroline Edinam Doe
Antwi-Boasiako Amoah
Eric Asuman
Martin Addi
Benjamin Adjetey Wemegah
author_sort Kofi Asare
collection DOAJ
description This research article presents the findings of a data rescue and digitization initiative conducted in selected districts across Ghana, focusing on the Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMet) archive and field stations. The study involved 200 stations, spanning 130 districts, with the primary goal of rescuing and digitizing climatological data. The number of rainfall stations has reduced from 518 in 1976 to 87 in 2021, while the number of temperature stations have decreased from 138 in 1976 to 40 in 2021. Through extensive data searches at the GMet archive and fieldwork, data were successfully rescued, digitized, and quality-controlled, reducing the percentage of missing data and enhancing overall data availability. The study encountered challenges including a lack of proper record-keeping offices at observing stations, recently assigned observers unaware of historical data, insufficient station metadata, and faulty or broken equipment. Recommendations include regular audits by GMet to prevent further data loss, development of comprehensive station records and metadata, implementation of efficient data transmission methods, transition to electronic data transfer systems, and upgrading manual stations to automatic weather stations (AWS). These measures are essential for improving the robustness and reliability of meteorological data collection in Ghana, which is critical for accurate weather forecasting, climate monitoring, and informed decision-making across various sectors.
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spelling doaj-art-e00e2c3af0f84672b77eb7f0e273ed8d2025-02-11T07:00:02ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Climate2624-95532025-02-01710.3389/fclim.2025.15240291524029Bridging the gap: rescuing and digitizing historical meteorological recordsKofi Asare0Nana Ama Browne Klutse1Stephen Aboagye-Ntow2Caroline Edinam Doe3Antwi-Boasiako Amoah4Eric Asuman5Martin Addi6Benjamin Adjetey Wemegah7Remote Sensing and Climate Center, Ghana Space Science and Technology Institute, Accra, GhanaDepartment of Physics, University of Ghana, Accra, GhanaRemote Sensing and Climate Center, Ghana Space Science and Technology Institute, Accra, GhanaRemote Sensing and Climate Center, Ghana Space Science and Technology Institute, Accra, GhanaEnvironmental Protection Agency, Accra, GhanaGhana Meteorological Agency, Accra, GhanaRemote Sensing and Climate Center, Ghana Space Science and Technology Institute, Accra, GhanaRemote Sensing and Climate Center, Ghana Space Science and Technology Institute, Accra, GhanaThis research article presents the findings of a data rescue and digitization initiative conducted in selected districts across Ghana, focusing on the Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMet) archive and field stations. The study involved 200 stations, spanning 130 districts, with the primary goal of rescuing and digitizing climatological data. The number of rainfall stations has reduced from 518 in 1976 to 87 in 2021, while the number of temperature stations have decreased from 138 in 1976 to 40 in 2021. Through extensive data searches at the GMet archive and fieldwork, data were successfully rescued, digitized, and quality-controlled, reducing the percentage of missing data and enhancing overall data availability. The study encountered challenges including a lack of proper record-keeping offices at observing stations, recently assigned observers unaware of historical data, insufficient station metadata, and faulty or broken equipment. Recommendations include regular audits by GMet to prevent further data loss, development of comprehensive station records and metadata, implementation of efficient data transmission methods, transition to electronic data transfer systems, and upgrading manual stations to automatic weather stations (AWS). These measures are essential for improving the robustness and reliability of meteorological data collection in Ghana, which is critical for accurate weather forecasting, climate monitoring, and informed decision-making across various sectors.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fclim.2025.1524029/fullmeteorological datadata rescuedigitizationclimate researchhistorical records
spellingShingle Kofi Asare
Nana Ama Browne Klutse
Stephen Aboagye-Ntow
Caroline Edinam Doe
Antwi-Boasiako Amoah
Eric Asuman
Martin Addi
Benjamin Adjetey Wemegah
Bridging the gap: rescuing and digitizing historical meteorological records
Frontiers in Climate
meteorological data
data rescue
digitization
climate research
historical records
title Bridging the gap: rescuing and digitizing historical meteorological records
title_full Bridging the gap: rescuing and digitizing historical meteorological records
title_fullStr Bridging the gap: rescuing and digitizing historical meteorological records
title_full_unstemmed Bridging the gap: rescuing and digitizing historical meteorological records
title_short Bridging the gap: rescuing and digitizing historical meteorological records
title_sort bridging the gap rescuing and digitizing historical meteorological records
topic meteorological data
data rescue
digitization
climate research
historical records
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fclim.2025.1524029/full
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