Mr. Wong Wai Kin and Mr. Woo Wang Chun, our physics alumni, developed an urban-scale nowcasting system, namely the Short-range Warning of Intense Rainstorms in Localized Systems (SWIRLS), for the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) which has been awarded the Smart Business Grand Award in the Hong Kong ICT Awards 2019.
The SWIRLS incorporates computer vision, deep learning, and computer weather model into the analysis of observations from radars, lightning sensors, and rain gauges to accurately forecast rainfall and lightning, and predict rainfall intensity, lightning hours, and location in advance. The forecasting and prediction information which are released through the HKO mobile application and website facilitate us to carry out timely and corresponding preparation in good time to reduce our and the city's loss and damage, as well as provide useful information for government departments to manage and rapidly respond to potentially hazardous weather conditions. University Publication
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