Building a more weather-resilient future in Greece with a weather radar network

Customer: Hellenic National Meteorological service (HNMS)

Products: 7 x WRM200 C-band Weather Radar, Vaisala IRIS Focus Remote Sensing Software, Digital Receiver and Signal Processor RVP10, Lightning detection network with 12 LS7002 advanced lightning sensors 

Greece is often celebrated for its sunny climate, but the country also faces significant and sometimes devastating weather challenges that threaten lives and property.  

We spoke with Panos Giannopoulos, meteorologist and weather presenter at Greece’s national broadcaster ERT TV, about how the advanced weather radar network from Vaisala fulfills a nationwide coverage, ensuring that everyone in Greece can stay informed and prepared for rapidly changing weather conditions.

Q: What are the key weather and climate-related challenges affecting Greece?

The key weather challenges for Greece is not the sunny weather, as many people believe. We have severe storms. For example, two years ago, we had a severe storm in a great area of Greece, Thessaly. Seventeen people lost their lives, and we had extensive damage in this area. Accurate meteorological information i.e., timely warnings, is critical, even for Greece.

Q: How do you see that advanced radar technology will help address them? 

I believe that a greater network that covers the whole Greek area will be a great leap to the future, because until now, we haven’t had such a network.  

We will have accurate meteorological information timely. So, meteorologists can issue timely warnings, and the public has access to this information, so they can prepare for what the weather will be in the next, at least, one hour.

Q: What are the main benefits you’re expecting from the new radars?

For me personally, it was a dream to have a network covering the whole Greek area. Everyone can have this data on their phones. So, every person in Greece, including the tourists, can have access to this information. And not only the public, but the meteorologists of the Greek National Meteorological Center, and the people responsible for the civil protection in Greece.  

I’m very happy that the new radars are from Vaisala because I know that Vaisala is one of the best companies for manufacturing such products.