The latest developments in “green” economics, hydrometeorology, environmental monitoring, remote Earth sensing and Earth observations are presented at the exhibition by 150 companies from 20 countries. The event was opened by Deputy Director of the RF Federal Service for Hydrometeorology and Environmental Monitoring [Rosgidromet], Igor Shumakov: “The exhibition was created to demonstrate new technologies of the meteorological and climate services in the economic sectors that forecast extreme phenomena, and also for early-warning and informational meteorological systems.”

At the Vaisala booth one can find humidity and temperature sensors. This is unique technology because it is not easy to measure humidity. The data may be distorted by fog, water spray, rain and dew. Vaisala developed a sensor design with built-in heating. The humidity level inside the instrument is therefore always below the air humidity level, thus reducing the risk of moisture condensation on the instrument.

Yandex offers its Meteum forecasting technology. Yandex has its own weather model that describes atmospheric changes. It processes data from ground weather stations and satellites. Then, 140,000 times a day the programme is checked against the actual weather. If there are discrepancies, Meteum establishes the patterns to allow refinement of the calculations.

During the business programme, the experts discussed the professional standard for training meteorologists because there is a shortage of specialists in the industry. “We are troubled by the HR training because the average age of the hydro-meteorological service employees is constantly rising. They leave at age 50, in many regions at age 60, and in many unique specialties at age 70,” reported Vladimir Sokolov, Director of Rosgidromet for the Volga federal district. The specialists will discuss climate change problems on June 15.

This year, the forum and exhibition are being organised with the support of Rosgidromet, Rosavtodor [Federal Road Transport Agency], the Committee on Resource Management, Environmental Protection and Environmental Safety Support of St. Petersburg, HMEI – International Association of Hydro-Meteorological Equipment Industry, EUMETNET – Association of European National Meteorological Services, GEO – Group of Earth Observations, EARSC – European Association of Remote Sensing Companies. The Russian Hydro-Meteorological Consortium and Sovzond are the general partners of the forum and exhibition.