The Regional Climate Change Center today launched a strategic project to digitalize historical climate records spanning 73 years, from 1951 to 2023, as part of its efforts to enhance the accuracy of climate data, improve accessibility, and support its use in scientific research, environmental planning, and data-driven decision-making.
CEO of the National Center for Meteorology and General Supervisor of the Regional Climate Change Center Dr. Ayman Ghulam reviewed the progress of the project, which covers data from 33 manned climate stations across various regions of the Kingdom to digitalize 36,000 historical records.
The project, staffed by 73 employees, aims to convert paper records into digital copies compatible with the center’s databases, in accordance with the latest scientific and technical standards.
The project is based on five main tracks: cataloging paper records and assessing their condition, entering and converting data electronically, auditing inputs to ensure they match the originals, conducting climate quality checks using specialized scientific tools, and building human capacity through training programs and technical workshops. It also includes preparing monthly and quarterly reports documenting progress, culminating in a final report upon completion.
The climate records cover more than 73 years of data collected using precise monitoring instruments and according to international standards. Over the decades, the records have varied in format and language, being written in both Arabic and English, and have used both metric and, at times, imperial systems for recording measurements.
This project represents a strategic step toward enhancing digital transformation in the meteorology sector, supporting environmental security and sustainable development in the Kingdom, and reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s position as a leading regional hub for climate monitoring and weather forecasting.