World Meteorological Organization

Satellite observations—complemented by in situ data—offer an effective means of monitoring floods, droughts, precipitation, and water level variations in lakes and rivers. 
A training programme led by WMO and supported by the CNES/LEGOS and the EUMETSAT H-SAF is being implemented under the CREWS Central Africa initiative. It aims to build capacity in satellite hydrology across the ECCAS region, particularly in: (i) analysing hydrological variability using satellite altimetry, and (ii) monitoring water cycle variability and hydrometeorological extremes using satellite derived precipitation and soil moisture products.
This training is including a three-step training program for trainers and trainees, combining online and in-person sessions.

• Step 1. General and operational trainings (online)
• Step 2. Training of Trainers (ToT) (in person training)
• Step 3. Monthly sessions on the evaluation of hydrological trends

1. Training on hydrometeorological variability and water monitoring by Satellite altimetry - Session 1 - online
   Description: Generalities, type of products and applications
   Date: 13 February 2025 (3h)
   • Link to the recordings
   • Link to presentations
   • Link to WMO event page
2. Training on hydrometeorological variability - EUMETSAT H-SAF Satellite Precipitation Products
   Description: EUMETSAT H-SAF type of products, Precipitation product and general application - online
   Date: 16 April 2025 (3h),
   • Link to the recordings One and Two
   • Link to presentations
   • Link to WMO event page
3. Training on hydrometeorological variability and water monitoring by Satellite altimetry - Session 2 - online 
   Description: From data to information and production of Bulletins
   Date: 29 April 2025 (3h)
   • Link to the recordings
   • Link to presentations
     1. Introduction
     2. Satellite altimetry data
     3. Exercise with a case study of flooding in North Cameroon
     4. Newsletter production, valorization and dissemination:
        • From data to useful information in the Lake Chad and Congo Basins
        • Using data for research
        • Challenges in developing the bulletin: inter-institutional collaboration and data sharing
        • Newsletter publication
        • Knowledge transfer: feedback from satellite altimetry training at IRSEN,Congo
     5. Link to WMO event page
4. Training on hydrometeorological variability - EUMETSAT H-SAF Soil Moisture Products - online 
   Description: Soil Moisture product, analysis using Jupyter notebook
   Date: 05 May 2025 (2h30)
    
   • Link to the recordings
   • Link to presentations
     1. Overview of the training plan
     2. Introduction to H-SAF
     3. Understanding H-SAF Soil Moisture Products
     4. H SAF root-zone soil moisture products
     5. Practical part
        1. Accessing and Processing H-SAF Data
        2. Comparison of satellite products in Burkina Faso
   • Link to WMO event page
5. Training on hydrometeorological variability and water monitoring by Satellite altimetry – Session 3 SWOT mission – Part 1 - online 
   Description: SWOT principles, mission and type of data,
   Date: 28 May 2025 (3h)
   • Link to the recordings
   • Link to presentations
     1. Introduction_cours_SWOT-Partie 1
     2. Introduction_cours_SWOT-Partie 2
     3. Introduction_cours_SWOT-Partie3.pptx
   • Link to WMO event page 

1. Training of trainers on Satellite-Based Hydrological Monitoring for Central Africa 
   Date : 17–19 March 2025, in Lomé Togo,
   Total participants: 10,
   Regions: West and Central Africa, 
   Format: In-person, Languages: French-English
    
   • Link to the Training session report
   • Communication material

1. Training on hydrometeorological variability and water monitoring by Satellite altimetry
2. Training on hydrometeorological variability - EUMETSAT H-SAF Satellite Precipitation Products
3. Training on hydrometeorological variability and water monitoring by Satellite altimetry
4. Training on hydrometeorological variability - EUMETSAT H-SAF Soil Moisture Products
5. Training on hydrometeorological variability and water monitoring by Satellite altimetry - SWOT

1. Training on hydrometeorological variability and water monitoring by Satellite altimetry
2. Training on hydrometeorological variability - EUMETSAT H-SAF Satellite Precipitation Products
   • Session 1
   • Session 2
3. Training on hydrometeorological variability and water monitoring by Satellite altimetry
4. Training on hydrometeorological variability - EUMETSAT H-SAF Soil Moisture Products
5. Training on hydrometeorological variability and water monitoring by Satellite altimetry - SWOT