IITM Establishes C-ART at Andhra University, Strengthening Weather Forecasting Capabilities

Andhra University has provided land within its campus for the facility, enabling long-term collaboration between academic and research institutions.

In a major step toward enhancing India's weather prediction capabilities and strengthening disaster preparedness, the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) has established a state-of-the-art Coastal Atmospheric Research Testbed (C-ART) at Andhra University (AU), Visakhapatnam, under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES).

The open-field meteorological observatory was inaugurated by Dr. M. Ravichandran, Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences, marking a significant milestone under the Government's flagship Mission Mausam initiative aimed at improving observational networks and forecasting accuracy.

A Strategic Leap in Coastal Weather Research

Located on India's vulnerable east coast, the C-ART facility is designed to provide continuous, high-resolution atmospheric observations, enabling scientists to better understand coastal weather dynamics, particularly:

• Monsoon systems

• Thunderstorms

• Cyclones and extreme weather events

Andhra University has provided land within its campus for the facility, enabling long-term collaboration between academic and research institutions.

Mission Mausam: Enhancing Forecast Accuracy

The initiative is part of Mission Mausam, a flagship programme of the Ministry of Earth Sciences focused on:

• Expanding observational capabilities

• Improving spatial and temporal data coverage

• Strengthening numerical weather prediction models

Dr. Ravichandran emphasized that improving observation systems is critical for accurate and timely weather forecasts, especially in the face of increasing climate variability and extreme weather events.

Advanced Instruments for High-Precision Data

The testbed is equipped with a range of cutting-edge instruments that will generate detailed atmospheric data, including:

• Impact disdrometer and 2D Video Disdrometer (2DVD) for rain microphysics

• 3D-Printed Automatic Weather Station (3D-PAWS)

• Conventional AWS systems

• Eddy covariance tower for turbulence and flux measurements

These instruments have already recorded data from the first thundershower observed in Visakhapatnam, marking the beginning of real-time data generation.

Future Expansion with Next-Generation Technology

The facility is set to be further upgraded with advanced systems such as:

• Scanning wind lidar

• Polarimetric Doppler weather radars

• Phase array radars

• Proton transfer reaction mass spectrometers

These technologies will enable deeper insights into atmospheric processes and significantly improve prediction of extreme weather events.

Boosting Monsoon and Cyclone Research

C-ART is expected to play a crucial role in:

• Understanding monsoon convection dynamics

• Improving parameterization in weather models

• Supporting data assimilation experiments

• Enhancing forecast skill and model validation

The insights generated will directly contribute to more accurate early warning systems for cyclones and severe weather, which are critical for coastal regions like Andhra Pradesh.

A National Research Facility with Global Relevance

The testbed will function as a national user facility, providing open access to high-quality observational data for:

• Researchers and scientists

• Academic institutions

• Weather agencies

This collaborative approach is expected to foster innovation, research excellence, and international partnerships in atmospheric sciences.

Strengthening Disaster Preparedness

With India facing increasing frequency of extreme weather events, improved forecasting systems are essential for:

• Disaster risk reduction

• Timely evacuation and response planning

• Minimizing economic and human losses

Officials highlighted that the data generated from C-ART will significantly enhance early warning capabilities, supporting national and state disaster management agencies.

Academic-Research Collaboration at the Core

The initiative underscores the importance of collaboration between central research institutions and state universities. Andhra University's leadership emphasized that the partnership with IITM will:

• Strengthen academic research capabilities

• Provide hands-on exposure to students

• Build long-term scientific collaboration

A Step Toward Climate-Resilient India

As climate change intensifies weather extremes, investments in advanced observational infrastructure like C-ART are critical for building a climate-resilient India.

The launch of this facility positions India at the forefront of coastal atmospheric research, enabling better understanding, prediction, and management of complex weather systems.