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The more accurate weather forecasts are, the more lives can be saved. New satellites send data to Leuk.
In the Valais village of Leuk there are dozens of smaller and larger mysterious ears that listen to space. There are many secrets and rumors surrounding this satellite ground station: Spies are being spied on in Valais. It is not publicly known who or what exactly these satellite dishes are used for. “Often we don’t know when new ones will be built again,” says Leuk mayor Martin Lötscher. At least one thing is now clear: three of the satellite dishes collect weather data from space.
The satellite ground station in Leuk
Weather satellites have been circling the earth and sending data since 1960. They take pictures in space that meteorologists can use to see how the clouds are changing and what thunderstorms are forming – especially over the Atlantic.
Now there are new, modern weather observation satellites that deliver more precise and faster weather forecasts. A more accurate forecast can help save lives and reduce damage.
The latest generation of weather satellites will be sent into space by Europe’s meteorological satellite agency, Eumetsat, at the end of the year. The satellites will orbit the earth at an altitude of 36,000 kilometers and will take faster and more precise images from there. “There is ten times more data than now, and the information comes every two and a half minutes instead of every five,” says Barbara Galliker from the Federal Office for Meteorology and Climatology. “The more information we have, the more you can see and the faster we can provide information.” This means that Switzerland can also make better weather forecasts – sometimes down to the local level.
Predict lightning, fog and fire
An example: How thunderstorm cells move and develop can be tracked earlier. As a result, short-term thunderstorm warnings are more reliable, according to MeteoSwiss.
It can also be predicted more precisely when and where fog will lie. Or it could be better calculated how exactly the sun shines. This helps when planning solar systems.
Legend:
The new satellite dishes are located near other antennas at the ground station in Leuk.
SRF/Ruth Seeholzer
Also new is that lightning can be detected from orbit in the future. This helps above all in Africa or Oceania, where little data is currently available. In addition, forest fires and the development of smoke should be detected earlier. In this way, emergency services can be better warned.
All this data is received in Leuk VS. Federal Councilor Alain Berset inaugurated the new ground station on Friday. Three antennas – with a diameter of 6.5 meters and equipped with the latest technological standards – will receive the huge amounts of weather information and forward them to Eumetsat.
Why the data is sent to Leuk
Strategically, Leuk is very well located, according to the experts at Eumetsat. In addition, the existing satellite ground station was a good deal, says project manager Alexander Schmid: “We have the staff there with the necessary training to operate the antennas.” You need staff who are available 24 hours a day. Because the weather data from space is sent to Valais around the clock.