Andean Weather Agencies Completes Swiss Technical Internship on Climate Services

Meteorological experts from five South American countries have completed an intensive technical internship in Switzerland aimed at improving climate monitoring, weather forecasting, and meteorological data management across the Andean region.

Specialists from the National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) of Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, and Peru participated in the advanced training programme hosted by the Swiss Federal Office of Meteorology and Climatology, MeteoSwiss, in Zurich from 4 to 8 May 2026.

The initiative forms part of the ENANDES+ regional project, which seeks to strengthen climate services and improve the technical and institutional capabilities of weather agencies throughout the Andes.

Regional Cooperation to Improve Climate Services

The internship was organised under the ENANDES+ project, a regional climate initiative funded by:

• The Adaptation Fund

• The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC)

The project is implemented by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).

ENANDES+ focuses on promoting regional cooperation among Andean countries by supporting:

• Knowledge exchange

• Technical modernization

• Institutional strengthening

• Peer-to-peer collaboration

• Development of climate services

The programme aims to help countries improve the quality and accessibility of climate information, particularly in regions vulnerable to climate variability and extreme weather events.

MeteoSwiss Shares Advanced Operational Expertise

During the five-day technical internship, participants were introduced to the operational systems and workflows used by MeteoSwiss, one of Europe’s leading meteorological institutions.

The training provided participants with practical exposure to the entire meteorological data value chain, including:

• Weather observations

• Data acquisition

• Monitoring systems

• Forecast generation

• Climate product development

• Operational service delivery

Experts from the Andean countries engaged in technical discussions with Swiss specialists, exchanging experiences and examining the unique challenges faced by meteorological agencies in mountainous and climate-sensitive regions.

The internship also created opportunities for regional collaboration among participating countries, strengthening networks between meteorological institutions across South America.

Focus on Modern Weather Observation Systems

A major part of the programme focused on understanding advanced observation and data management systems.

Participants received technical training on the SwissMetNet surface observation network, Switzerland’s nationwide automated weather monitoring system.

Sessions covered:

• Weather station operations

• Sensor technologies

• Real-time data transmission

• Centralized data flows

• Meteorological data processing

• Data warehouse architecture

Special attention was given to the standardization of meteorological variables and parameters, which is critical for ensuring consistency and interoperability between national and international weather systems.

Quality Control and Climate Data Reliability

The internship also emphasized the importance of maintaining high-quality meteorological and climatological data.

Participants explored both automated and manual quality control procedures used to verify and validate weather observations.

The programme included discussions on:

• Error detection systems

• Data quality assurance

• Traceability methods

• Homogenization of climatological time series

Homogenization techniques are particularly important for climate analysis because they help remove inconsistencies caused by changes in observation instruments, station relocations, or environmental factors over time.

Reliable long-term climate data is essential for:

• Climate trend analysis

• Forecasting

• Disaster risk reduction

• Agricultural planning

• Water resource management

• Climate adaptation policies

Training on Global Meteorological Frameworks

The technical agenda also introduced participants to major international meteorological frameworks and systems coordinated by the World Meteorological Organization.

Key initiatives reviewed during the programme included:

WMO Integrated Global Observing System (WIGOS)

WIGOS helps integrate weather, climate, water, and environmental observation systems worldwide into a coordinated global framework.

Observing Systems Capability Analysis and Review (OSCAR)

OSCAR is a WMO platform used to assess observation capabilities and identify gaps in meteorological monitoring systems.

Global Basic Observing Network (GBON)

GBON establishes minimum global standards for surface and upper-air weather observations to improve forecasting accuracy worldwide.

WMO Information System (WIS) 2.0

Participants also learned about the implementation of WIS 2.0, the next-generation global information-sharing framework designed to improve the exchange and accessibility of weather and climate data internationally.

Supporting Climate Resilience in the Andes

The Andes region is highly vulnerable to climate-related risks including:

• Droughts

• Flooding

• Glacial retreat

• Extreme rainfall

• Heatwaves

• Water shortages

• Agricultural disruption

Accurate weather forecasting and reliable climate information are increasingly important for protecting vulnerable communities and climate-sensitive economic sectors such as agriculture, hydropower, water management, and disaster response.

ENANDES+ aims to help Andean countries strengthen their ability to respond to these challenges through better meteorological infrastructure and enhanced climate services.

Building Stronger Regional Networks

The World Meteorological Organization says initiatives like the MeteoSwiss internship help promote long-term regional integration and technical cooperation.

By sharing expertise and operational practices, participating countries can improve the consistency, accessibility, and reliability of meteorological information across borders.

Officials say stronger regional collaboration also enhances preparedness for extreme weather events and supports evidence-based decision-making by governments and communities.

Long-Term Modernization Efforts Continue

ENANDES+ continues to support the modernization of meteorological and climate services throughout the Andean region.

The project’s broader objectives include:

• Strengthening technical capacities

• Enhancing institutional coordination

• Modernizing observation systems

• Improving climate information services

• Expanding regional data sharing

These efforts are expected to improve the quality and accessibility of weather and climate information while supporting sustainable development and climate adaptation across South America.