In recent years, against the backdrop of global climate change, a surge in extreme weather events has triggered manifold impacts worldwide. China has been implementing the United Nations' Early Warnings for All Initiative and accummulated rich experience, in particular, through local early warning practices. As a major economic powerhouse in southern China, Guangdong province faces significant climate challenges. Guangdong Provincial Meteorological Service (hereinafter referred to as the Service) has proactively explored innovative solutions to address climate change and enhance disaster prevention and mitigation capabilities, and has developed localized early warning mechanisms and practical experience that provide a valuable template for both China and the global community.

Maritime Silk Road Meteorological Service System Source: the Service

Dual "call and response" mechanism: strengthening the first line of defense in disaster prevention and mitigation

In its disaster prevention and mitigation efforts, the Service has pioneered a dual "call and response" mechanism (hereinafter referred to as the Mechanism), seamlessly integrating it into the local disaster prevention and mitigation dispatch system. The Mechanism focuses on risk assessment through a "digital grid plus industry impact" approach and a "disaster-specific, industry-specific "pre-disaster warning system, providing comprehensive pre-disaster prevention and post-disaster loss reduction for various sectors.

Cities such as Dongguan, Zhongshan, Qingyuan, and Meizhou have conducted pioneering work and achieved remarkable progresses in this field. Through the "grid plus meteorology" initiative, meteorological disaster prevention and mitigation efforts have been incorporated into the grid management of townships and streets. This approach has not only enhanced their emergency management capabilities but also served as a replicable model for other regions across China.

Technology empowerment: enhancing early warning capabilities

The Service has made full use of technology empowerment in its early warning efforts. Sophisticated technologies such as big data and artificial intelligence have enhanced the accuracy and timeliness of warnings. Shenzhen's mega-city meteorological integrated observing system, the four-level disaster prevention and emergency response system led by warning signals, and the "31631" progressive meteorological service mechanism are exemplary examples of technology-driven solutions.

Additionally, the Service has actively promoted the development of a meteorological insurance claims system, offering comprehensive pre-disaster prevention and post-disaster loss reduction for various sectors.

Dr. ZENG Zhilin was producing marine wind forecasts for the Belt and Road Initiative Partner countries. Source: the Service

Shenzhen Experience: a global role model for smart meteorological Services

Shenzhen has emerged as a pioneer in China in terms of smart meteorological services. Shenzhen Municipal Meteorological Department (hereinafter referred to as the Department), in collaboration with World Meteorological Organization (WMO), has launched a public-private participation demonstration project (hereinafter referred to as the Project) for smart meteorological services in megacities, which passed its mid-term evaluation in 2023. The Project has brought together meteorological departments, academic institutions, and enterprises, and scored multiple results, in particular in meteorological grid data sharing, disaster risk warning services, and targeted warning information dissemination.

“31631”progressive meteorological service mechanism Credits to the Service Translater and Illustrator: LIU Shuqiao

Shenzhen's "31631" progressive meteorological service mechanism has become a flagship outcome of the Project and widely promoted both in China and globally. This mechanism ensures efficient coordination between meteorological and disaster prevention and mitigation departments through quantitative forecasting three days in advance, forecasting one day in advance, locating of high risk area six hours in advance, zone-based warning three hours in advance, and forecasting refined to the streets one hour in advance. During the 2023 flood season, the Department further optimized the "343" pre-disaster warning "call and response" mechanism and the "forecasting plus public science" public meteorological service model based on the "31631" progressive meteorological service mechanism, and effectively responded to the impacts of events like Super Typhoon Saola.

Disaster prevention and mitigation practices: efforts in Dongguan, Zhongshan, and beyond

Dongguan, Zhongshan, Qingyuan, Meizhou and other localities in Guangdong have also taken the lead in this initiative. These regions have integrated meteorological disaster prevention and mitigation into their respective grid management through the "grid plus meteorology" initiative, further reinforcing the local disaster management framework.

To be specific, Dongguan's "grid plus meteorology" initiative has optimized meteorological safety services and management for key departments, summarizing work experience in a timely manner and providing a replicable model for the province and the entire country. Zhongshan has established an efficient working mechanism for meteorological disaster warning information dissemination and emergency response, ensuring timely warning information delivery.

These practices by meteorological departments of Guangdong in addressing climate change and enhancing early warning capabilities have not only accumulated rich and valuable experience in terms of China's early warning practices, but also contributed Chinese wisdom to global efforts in tackling climate change. The Service will continue to play a leading role in sharing observation data, conducting collaborative research, developing technical standards, and designing effective meteorological service models, striving to contribute more Chinese meteorological wisdom to the world.

In collaboration with Guangdong Provincial Meteorological Service

Reporter: WANG Tianwei

Editor：LIU Shuqiao