In India, a new generation of weather enthusiasts post locally-relevant updates on social media platforms using publicly-available data – and they’re gaining loyal followings!
Hyperlocal weather forecasts like these are particularly helpful for coastal communities and farmers. Fishers consult the forecasts before heading out to sea, and farmers make decisions and plan activities based on the predictions. Hemalatha, a farmer, says: “Social media helps us a lot - all the updates make our job easier. They help us take preventive measures and protect our crops. If the soil gets waterlogged, the crops are ruined. So we make channels to ensure the water can run off…”
The forecasts can also help communities prepare for and respond to weather-related events.