Toward a Mesoscale Observation Network in Southeast Asia

The current weather observation network in Southeast Asia is unable to support the accurate monitoring and prediction of the region's predominantly convective weather. Establishing a multisensor mesoscale observation network comprising automated in situ instruments and atmospheric remote sensors (including weather radar) over land and exploiting weather satellite data especially over the sea would significantly improve the quantity and quality of data and benefit numerical weather prediction and tropical atmospheric science research. Several technical and organizational challenges need to be overcome in order to attain this goal. It is hoped that this article would motivate closer regional coordination in plans for developing infrastructure for atmospheric observations for weather research and forecasts in Southeast Asia.