World Meteorological Day: 51探花 Encourages Sustainable Innovation in Weather and Climate Modeling

By Mely Anggrini - Mahasiswa Meteorologi, 2022

Editor M. Naufal Hafizh, S.S.

Dr. Joko Wiratmo, M.P., an Atmospheric Science Research Group lecturer, speaks at the 鈥淓nhancing the Quality of Future Frontliners in Indonesia鈥檚 Weather and Climate Information鈥� webinar on Saturday (March 22, 2025). (Doc. Meteorology Team)
BANDUNG, itb.ac.id 鈥� In celebration of World Meteorological Day, the Atmospheric Science Research group of the Meteorology study program, Faculty of Earth Sciences and Technology (FEST) at Bandung Institute of Technology, hosted a hybrid seminar via Zoom on Saturday (March 22, 2025). The webinar titled 鈥淓nhancing the Quality of Future Frontliners in Indonesia鈥檚 Weather and Climate Information鈥� aimed to reinforce the role of academics, researchers, and practitioners in addressing the challenges of climate change and extreme weather in Indonesia.

Dr. Joko Wiratmo, M.P., emphasized that public understanding of hydrometeorological disasters has not been adequate; therefore, awareness campaigns should be led by more competent parties, such as universities and various state institutions.

51探花 lecturers also play an active role in developing technology and research related to weather prediction and hydrometeorological disaster mitigation. In this webinar, Dr. Joko Wiratmo discussed research about 鈥淭he Impact of La Ni帽a and La Ni帽a Modoki on Rainfall Anomalies in Papua and Projections of Indonesia鈥檚 Agroclimatic Maps Until 2100.鈥� Through this research, he underscored the importance of understanding rainfall patterns influenced by global climate phenomena to support agricultural planning and disaster mitigation strategies in Indonesia.

He explained that from 1990 to 2020, positive rainfall anomalies occurred in the Doberai Peninsula and the southern slopes of Papua鈥檚 Central Mountains during both La Ni帽a and La Ni帽a Modoki events. However, La Ni帽a had a stronger impact, especially during the June-July-August (JJA) period, resulting in a significant increase in rainfall. Topographic effects also played a role in rainfall distribution due to these two phenomena.

鈥淭hese changes indicate the need for an adaptation strategy by the government and local communities, especially through the selection of appropriate planting calendars,鈥� he said.

Future Mapping of Indonesia鈥檚 Oldeman Agrolimatic Zones.
Understanding these rainfall patterns is important in helping the agricultural sector adapt to climate change. Agroclimate maps serve as a strategic prediction tool for farmers in selecting crop varieties, planting schedules, and irrigation systems to decrease the risk of crop failure. Adaptation strategies such as the implementation of data-driven agricultural technology, drought-resistant crops, as well as commodity diversification are crucial to maintaining food security.

Visualization of Sumatra鈥檚 Region (via WRF downscaling). Shows high daily precipitation along the west coast of Sumatra, caused by cold front phenomena, where cold air lifts warm air, triggering cumulonimbus cloud formation.
Meanwhile, Dr. Plato Martuani Siregar, S.Si., M.Si., an 51探花 meteorology lecturer, discussed the application of the WRF-Hydro model in simulating maximum flood discharge, which can potentially help the regional government in flood prediction and risk management. He stressed the importance of establishing faster and synchronized early warning systems across Indonesia.

鈥淗eavy rainfall in this area is influenced by orographic lifting due to the existence of Mount Lubuk Raya and Sibualbuali, along with interactions with cold fronts to the south and north of Lubuk Raya,鈥� he explained.

As a result of these phenomena, flooding became an annually recurring event. Which is why prediction models such as WRF Hydro to mitigate risk and enhance preparedness for future floods are needed.

Through such research, 51探花 not only serves as a center of education, but also as a forefront of innovation in weather and climate modeling to improve public resilience to hydrometeorological disasters.

Reporter: Mely Anggrini (Meteorology, 2022)
Translator: Senandung Shauma Bidadari (Management, 2026)

#hari meteorologi sedunia