Vaisala has been selected to modernize Greece’s weather monitoring infrastructure, operated by The Hellenic National Meteorological Service (HNMS). The upgrade includes two separate contracts – one for the installation of seven dual-polarization C-band (WRM200) weather radars and another for the deployment of a lightning detection network with 12 LS7002 advanced lightning sensors.
The installation of the first two weather radars and the lightning sensor network is planned to take place before the end of 2025. The projects are intended to strengthen Greece’s severe-weather monitoring and response capabilities.
Building a more weather-resilient future
Panu Partanen, a vice president at Vaisala responsible for meteorology and aviation in the weather, energy and environment business unit, said, “With extreme weather events intensifying across the Mediterranean region, detailed and timely weather information is required to safeguard communities and infrastructure from natural disasters.
“Delivering both our industry-leading weather radar technology and the world’s most advanced lightning detection capabilities, our comprehensive solution will enhance public safety for decades to come. Vaisala’s proven track record in harsh environments and commitment to continuous innovation make us uniquely qualified to help Greece build a more weather-resilient future.”
Addressing the meteorological gaps
The projects address the gaps in Greece’s weather monitoring and lightning detection capabilities and enable the nation to better respond to the challenges posed by climate change, including severe flooding and wildfires.
The upgraded network is projected to provide enhanced detection of severe storms and early warning capacity through high-resolution meteorological data. It will also improve situational awareness with real-time weather radar data and lightning detection that will provide timely updates and alerts for response teams in the event of emergencies. The partners also expect greater accuracy in distinguishing between different types of precipitation (rain, hail, snow) with high-quality signal processing technologies. Alongside this, comprehensive weather coverage will reportedly be achieved through strategic radar positioning across mainland Greece and key island locations. Finally, the deployed technology is intended to ensure reliable performance designed for harsh environmental conditions, ensuring continuous operation and minimal downtime.
Beyond the C-band weather radars and advanced lightning sensors, the modernizations include IRIS Focus display software, which enables users to quickly analyze detailed data and generate real-time weather and lightning-related alerts. To ensure optimal performance and reliability, the projects will be supported by a five-year service contract.
In related news, the global weather radar market was recently valued at US$158.43m in 2024 and is projected to reach US$880.86m by 2033 at a CAGR of 18% during the forecast period 2025–2033, according to a new report by market research and consulting firm Astute Analytica. Click here to read the full story.