Precise weather forecasts during the Games

Photo credit: People's Daily

(BEIJING, September 27) -- At 1:30 pm, rain will fall at the "Bird's Nest." At 3 pm, winds will blow from the SE at 11 kph at the Worker's Stadium. Precise weather forecasts like these will be the norm during the Olympics next year, according to an official of the China Meteorological Administration.

Currently, the weather forecasts available to the public do not offer more information than, for example, "a 70% chance of rain today." Olympic athletes – especially those whose performances can be critically affected by the weather – will require a much greater level of accuracy in the weather forecast.

Next summer, the China Meteorological Administration will achieve what has never been achieved by the weather forecasts at past Olympic Games before.

With 238 automatic weather observation stations installed across Beijing and the Olympic co-host cities, the meteorological administration promises to provide accurate forecasts for up to 72 hours. For competition venues, the temperature, barometric pressure, humidity, and wind direction and speed will be reported every three hours.

An official of the organizing committee for Sydney 2000 was once asked what he considered to be the most important element contributing to the success of the Games in Sydney. He responded, "Weather, weather, weather."

And BOCOG officials also realize this. The Olympic and Paralympic Games will be held during Beijing's rainy season, with rainfall expected every three days on average.

BOCOG officials will depend on timely, accurate up-to-the minute forecasts to prevent athletes' performances from being affected by heavy rainfall and to make decisions about rescheduling competitions and other adjustments.