DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF METEOROLOGICAL SYSTEM

DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF METEOROLOGICAL SYSTEM (A CASE STUDY OF UNICAL METEOROLOGICAL STATION, CALABAR CROSS RIVER STATE)
 
ABSTRACT
The benefit of being able to use managerial techniques and analytical methods coupled with the innovative nature of the computer cannot be overemphasized. The main purpose of this project is to highlight the need for design and implementation of a meteorological service. In the course of this work the author conducted personal interview, examined the organizations document and observed staff at work. This project focuses on the need for easy storage and retrieval of meteorological files so as to obtain particular information easily and to update the data at any given time. The problems and limitation of the manual system were identified in the course of this work. The computerized system was designed to help in minimizing some of the problems inherent in the manual system. The new system would reduce error, operational difficulties, and misplacement of files and so on, thereby increasing performance. 
 
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Meteorology is the scientific study of the atmosphere. It includes the study of day-to-day variations of weather conditions, the study of electrical, optical and other physical properties of the [atmosphere and the study of the average and extreme weather conditions over long period of time. Meteorology is the most international of scientific activities. Its realm is the atmosphere of the entire globe, with a practice that involves the daily cooperation of every nation on earth A meteorological station is where climatic studies take place. The station maintains a national meteorological service, takes meteorological observation and gives notice f the observation and also extends the weather service for the benefit of commerce and agriculture. The weather bureau operates networks of meteorological station to collect the data require for all its meteorological activities. The bureau prepares and distributes routine weather phenomena and provides warnings of impending floods in addition to regular forecast of river stages. It collects, analyzes, and publishes records of temperature, rainfall, wind and often weather element and develops applications of climatologist for agricultural, industrial and commercial uses.
The weather bureau participates in the world meteorological organization (WMO) to ensure the development of a network, the standardization of observations and procedures, the exchange of meteorological data the development of meteorology as a science. The significance of a meteorological station lies on the degree of efficiency gotten from the information obtained activities which must be carefully co-ordinate to achieve the researchers targeted goal without which the goal will not be achieved thereby causing regrettable damages and financial losses. Meteorological services in most countries have developed a network of stations, which serve two main functions:
1. To collect data for forecasting weather.
2. To assemble the same data over considerable periods of time in order to make climatic recommendation for that area for these purpose, different types of station have developed at major meteorological station. And particularly at airport, where staffs are available and the reed for information and current conditions is continuous, hourly records may be made throughout the day in order that 1recasters can build up a picture of weather condition over a region
Design and implementation of meteorological service system is only a project topic intended to stress the importance of computer in the two domain of weather observation and forecasting in a meteorological station with greater emphasis on rainfall, temperature and relative humidity data analysis: The usage of the computer system within a meteorological station and importance cannot be over emphasized taking into consideration the numerous aspects of weather and climate, the complexity of its activities. How instead of processing manually, a computer could be introduced with defined programs that can perform repetitive task more efficiently and faster too. Due to the similarities between the activities and format of information obtain each year. The so -call form at approach will be used for used for data storage, retrieval and data processing into information. The resultant output will be used by Geographers or Climatologists to analyze, known the appropriate level of water surplus or deficit within the area of study and make weather or climatic recommendation for that particular area of locality.
1.1 BACKGROUND TO THE PROBLEM
The University of Calabar (UNICAL) Meteorological Station come into existence some few years back after the creation of the institution of learning. The meteorological station not only serves students of geography and regional planning departments, but the entire student of the university. The public too is not left out of the enormous benefits of the institutions meteorologically reports. Though its operation is based on manual method of data collection and processing, they do not change the basic character of the work involved in the manual data processing.
In the manual data processing, the raw data undergoes manual sorting, calculating, summarizing and other operations. Output emerges as useful information while the frame works within which data are processed are the same for all tasks. The routine setup varies from task to task. Some routine will include I of the data processing operations. The manual data processing is time consuming with little or no efficiency in operation. If data was initially misplaced; correction could takes up some days to accomplish the task, which thereby would run the speed of processing.
1.2  STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
The design and implementation of computer-based meteorological service system is very necessary so as to solve the problems and set beads encountered in using the manual system. The problems are as follows.
1. Storing and retrieving data from record.
2. Storing of different data (i.e. Monthly total rainfall, mean monthly temperature and monthly mean relative humidity) as against the different discipline.
3. Difficulty in keeping meteorological records effectively.
4. Error of omission.
1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
As most research studies are geared towards finding out ways by which automated devices can be applied to existing systems to fish out errors and suggest corrective measure where necessary, this study is aimed at the following:
1. To design a computer system that will enhance speed and accuracy in the process of meteorological services.
2. To develop a computer package for recording and storing of data for meteorological service.
3. To develop a system for records as compared to the manual method of keeping and maintaining large volumes of files.
1.4 IMPORTANCE OF THE STUDY
This project is designed to make the process of forecasting easy and highly efficient. It will increase the flexibility and accuracy demanded by meteorologists. It will bring solution to many of the problems surrounding manual system especially in the station. It will serve as a guide for future researchers in similar topics. In other words the purpose of this study in design and Implementation of meteorological service system is to develop a computer software that will handle the job and store relevant information to enhance speed and accuracy and also to help meteorologist appreciate the impact of computerized system in the station.
1.5 SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS
SCOPE:
The scope of this study is limited to rainfall, temperature and Relative Humidity data of uncial meteorological station calabar.
This project will center on design and implementation of meteorological service system.
LIMITATION:
The author encountered certain problem in the course of carrying out the project word. This problem includes the following:
1. TIME CONSTRIANT: the time allocated for the study is too short that the author found it difficult to cover a wide range.
2. FINANCE: the high cost of transportation and browsing the web site (internet) to get materials for this project posed a big problem to this write up.
3. DATA COLLECTION: some of the staff in the station was reluctant in giving out relevant information for this project work. This has gone a long way in making this work more tedious.
1.6 DEFINITION OF TERMS
1. ANALOGY COMPUTER: A computer based on the measuring of physical differences such as electrical currents, temperature change human pulse etc.
2. COMPUTER: An electronic device, into which data can be inputted, stored, processed and output produce.
3 DATA: The raw material or input to data processing system like computer; facts or information used in deciding or discussing meteorology information prepared for or stored by a computer.
4. DATA PROCESSING: The performing of computer operations on data to analyze it, solve problems in the meteorological stations.
5. FILES: A collection of related records.
6. FORECAST: To say in advance what is expected to happen, to predict with the help of information; A statement that predicts with the help of information.
7. FORECASTER: A person who forecasts especially someone whose job is to forecast the weather.
8. HUMIDITY: the amount of water vapour contain in an air mass at a particular time, the amount of moisture especially in the air, dampness,
9. RELATIVE HUMIDITY: the proportion of the actual amount of vapour pressure content is saturated air of the same temperature (usually in percentage).
10. INFORMATION: output which can be used in making decisions, facts fold, heard or discovered about something.
11. INPUT: The data processing functions of capturing or obtaining original data and placing it into the data processing system.
12 METEOROLOGY: The scientific study of the earth’s atmosphere and it changes especially for forecasting weather.
13. METEOROLOGIST: The expert in meteorology.
14. OUTPUT: The result obtained from processing activities.
13. PASSWORD: this is an access code used in program files to restrict unauthorized users from gaining access to the execution of such files.
16. PROCESSING; The manipulation, classification, storing, summarizing, calculating and storing input data to produce a desired output.
17. PROGRAM; A set of instruction used to direct and control the operation of the computer in order to solve a problem or to perform a particular task.
18. RAINFALL; the total amount of rain that fall in a particular area in a certain amount of time.
19. TEMPERATURE; The degree of heat or cold in a body, or at a particular place.
20. WEATHER; The condition of the atmosphere at a certain place and time, with reference to temperature and the presence of rain, sunshine, wind etc.
21. WEATHER FORECAST; A description of what the weather will probably be like for the next day or few days especially one broadcast on radio or television.