Pagasa’s online weather monitoring platform gets major tweaks
The weather bureau on Monday announced key improvements to its national hydro-met observing network called PANaHON to give the public improved access to accurate weather information and boost the government’s risk reduction and disaster preparedness efforts.
PANaHON is an online platform where users can access real-time weather data from different observational tools such as synoptic stations, Automatic Weather Stations, meteorological satellites and radar and lightning detection systems.
The public is able to visualize the data through an interactive map, which gives them insights into atmospheric pressure, temperature, heat index, wind speed and the humidity of certain locations in the country.
Spatial accuracy
Users are also able to track weather systems such as tropical cyclones and thunderstorms through satellite and radar images available on the website.
In a statement on Monday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said the upgraded platform will now feature grid forecast integration and improved spatial accuracy for rainfall accumulation, temperature, wind and pressure.
“Users can access the interactive map through its clickable grid points, a time-slider and location-based search functions,” Pagasa said.
“All regional warnings are now consolidated into a centralized alert system, displayed through interactive, color-coded markers with complete hazard information. This unified interface simplifies access to critical weather advisories,” it added.
Pagasa had previousely called PANaHON, which can be accessed at panahon.gov.ph, a “key instrument for improving weather monitoring, forecasting and disaster management” in the country. It can also be used by disaster responders in their planning and decision-making strategies.
