Radar and risk prevention in mountainous areas

Irstea was a sponsor of the 7th European Conference on radar in Meteorology and Hydrology (ERAD 2012) held in Toulouse this year from 24 to 29 June by Météo-France. This represented an opportunity for Irstea and Météo-France to present the latest advances in the RHYTMME project a year after commissioning its first radar in La Mure-Argens (Alpes-de-Haute-Provence).

The RHYTMME project[1] (Hydro-meteorological Risks in Mediterranean Mountainous Areas) was launched in 2008 on the basis of a scientific partnership between Météo France and Irstea (Cemagref at the time). Its aim is to measure rainfall in the Southern Alps and to create an early-warning Internet platform on rainfall-related natural hazards. The platform will be used by local authorities and public services covering mostly mountainous areas.

In order to measure rainfall in real time and thereby anticipate dangerous events such as flash floods, Météo France uses hydro-meteorological radars. However, not only do the relief and Mediterranean climate of the Southern Alps make them more vulnerable to natural hazards, the relief also makes it very difficult for radars set up in the plains to measure rainfall correctly.

To solve this problem, the project proposes deploying a network of new generation radars suited to observation in mountainous areas in the Southern Alps. The first radar was commissioned on Maurel Mountain (La Mure-Argens) in the spring of 2011. The next radar will be installed this autumn on Mont Colombis (commune of Théus). Irstea is coordinating and providing most of the R&D work on forecasting flash floods and natural hazards linked to rainfall in mountainous or Mediterranean areas: torrential floods, landslides, forest fires and avalanches.

ERAD 2012 Colloquium (Toulouse, 24 to 29 June 2012)

At the ERAD 2012 Colloquium held at the MétéoPole, Samuel Westrelin (Météo France) and Patrice Mériaux (Irstea), leaders of the RHYTMME project, presented the main results of the numerous teams contributing to the RHYTMME project and the first preview of the Internet early-warning platform. For the post-doctoral researchers working tirelessly to analyse very complex radar signals, this was an opportunity to make presentations or present posters at a high-level scientific gathering.

ERAD is an international conference on using radar in meteorology and hydrology that takes place once every two years. It brings together research institutes and companies in the aim of facilitating exchanges between those who produce data and those who use them. The focus for this seventh edition was on developing creativity, sharing and communication. The RHYTMME project therefore fit right into the agenda.

For further information

• About ERAD 2012

About RHYTMME

• Watch a video on the project
• Read Info Média on using radars to anticipate natural hazards in mountainous areas
• Visit the dedicated website
• Read the press file on commissioning the first radar
• View the brochure