Vodafone has partnered with River Severn Partnership Advanced Wireless Innovation Region (RSPAWIR) and Wireless DNA to use its mobile network to provide more accurate rain nowcasting.
Electromagnetic rain forecasting
The partnership will use Vodafone’s mobile network as an environmental sensor to monitor rainfall. Electromagnetic waves at certain frequencies are sensitive to precipitation, as water in the air affects the quality of the wireless link between masts. A microwave link can, therefore, function as a virtual rain gauge, providing pinpointed and precise precipitation data.
Wireless DNA will monitor all signal variations to identify those caused by precipitation and share this data with the River Severn Partnership to enhance early warning systems (EWS) for flooding and improve flood defenses for local residents. The additional data will be used to provide insights to supplement conventional systems, like radar and rain gauges, with a dense layer of ground-level observations.
According to the partners, Vodafone’s mobile network can work as an environmental sensor because the data offers greater accuracy than radar and more detail than weather stations, improving forecasts with localized insights.
Matt Smith, program manager of RSPAWIR, said, “The River Severn Partnership is committed to making the Severn, Wye, Warwickshire Avon and Teme the most vibrant and resilient river network. As a result, this RSPAWIR use case with Vodafone aligns perfectly with our strategic aims. By improving weather forecasting, we can better mitigate against flooding, improve resilience, and protect the health and livelihoods of the communities and businesses in our region.”
Nick Gliddon, director of Vodafone Business UK, added, “Storms and extreme weather are becoming more frequent and destructive. Working with River Severn Partnership, we can use our cutting-edge technology to provide greater insight on weather forecasting and help mitigate the impact of extreme events. This example shows how, through innovation, our mobile network can have a real impact on not just the lives of residents who live and work in the River Severn area, but for communities across the UK.”
Local impact
The trial is across the River Severn catchment area to provide long-term resilience for communities and the environment, as an estimated £230m per year is spent across the River Severn region to manage and mitigate damage to infrastructure brought by floods.
The project has recently won The Future Networks Award for Radical Breakthroughs, awarded by the UK Telecoms Innovation Network for pioneering disruptive innovations in networking technology.
In related news, the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI) recently announced that it will update the hand-held rain gauges of all voluntary precipitation observers in 2026. Click here to read the full story.