Vodafone has started using its mobile network to improve the accuracy of short-term rain forecasts, known as nowcasting.
The forecasts provide detailed data for rain forecasts ranging from a few minutes to a few hours ahead and can help communities to prepare for flooding. Vodafone hopes the new trial across the River Severn catchment area could improve the long-term resilience of nearby residents and the environment.
The mobile network can be used as an environmental sensor to monitor rainfall because of the impact that precipitation has on electromagnetic waves at certain frequencies. As water in the air affects the quality of the wireless link between masts, a microwave link can function as a virtual rain gauge, providing pinpointed and precise precipitation data.
The River Severn Partnership Advanced Wireless Innovation Region (RSPAWIR) has teamed up with Wireless DNA to trial the technology. Wireless DNA will monitor all signal variations to identify those caused by precipitation and...