Cape Verde Joins Global Network to Combat Climate Risks
In a major leap forward for climate resilience, the Cape Verdean Institute of Meteorology and Geophysics (INMG) has officially linked two of its meteorological stations to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) global network. The move aims to provide the archipelago with high-precision forecasting capabilities to prevent tragedies like the deadly storms that devastated the islands in 2025.
Strengthening the Frontline of Forecasts
Ester Brito, President of the INMG board, announced the milestone during an awareness meeting in Praia involving civil society and international partners. The integration follows a rigorous training program for 30 meteorological observers across four national stations. Currently, two of these stations are fully operational and transmitting real-time data to the WMO global network.
Brito emphasized that this technological advancement is about more than just data; it is a vital tool for protecting infrastructure, minimizing economic losses, and, most importantly, safeguarding human lives. However, she noted that technology alone is not enough. “Success depends not only on investments in equipment and technology but also on the active involvement of national institutions and civil society,” Brito stated.
A Vulnerable Nation in the Eye of the Storm
The urgency of these upgrades follows a brutal weather cycle in 2025 that left the nation reeling. In August of that year, Tropical Storm Erin claimed nine lives and caused widespread destruction on São Vicente, São Nicolau, and Santo Antão. Just three months later, flash floods in the municipality of Tarrafal on Santiago Island resulted in another fatality.
United Nations Resident Coordinator Patrícia Portela highlighted that as a Small Island Developing State (SIDS), Cape Verde is on the frontlines of climate change. Portela reaffirmed the UN\’s commitment to bolstering the archipelago’s early warning systems to mitigate the impacts of an increasingly volatile climate.
The El Niño Threat
The timing of the network integration is critical. The WMO recently warned of a high probability of an El Niño event developing, driven by “exceptionally high” temperatures in tropical Pacific waters. This global phenomenon is expected to disrupt temperature and precipitation patterns worldwide, significantly increasing the risk of extreme weather events in the Atlantic region.
By joining the global meteorological grid, Cape Verde is now better equipped to anticipate these shifts, moving from a position of disaster response to one of proactive prevention.
Image: Pexels – Francesco Ungaro
