The National Centre for Atmospheric Science, alongside the University of Leeds and partners in Africa, is celebrating the FASTA project, which has received the Royal Meteorological Society (RMetS) Award for Innovation in the Development of Computational Models, Tools or Visualisation.

The award recognises outstanding contributions to advancing meteorology through computational tools and data-driven innovation – highlighting the growing importance of accessible, real-time weather information in a changing climate. Accepting the award, the FASTA team described the recognition as both an honour and a reflection of a shared mission.

FASTA, also known as the Forecasting African STorms Application, delivers near real-time storm information across Africa, using satellite data, artificial intelligence, and nowcasting techniques to provide short-term forecasts of severe weather.

Unlike traditional forecasts, nowcasting focuses on the next few hours, offering highly accurate and frequently updated warnings for rapidly developing storms – critical in tropical regions where weather can change quickly.

Through its free mobile app and API, FASTA provides instant access to current and approaching storm activity, helping individuals, emergency responders, governments and businesses make informed decisions.

The impact is wide-ranging. From fishermen navigating dangerous waters, to farmers planning around rainfall, to humanitarian organisations managing risk during extreme weather, FASTA is helping to protect both lives and livelihoods across multiple sectors.

FASTA is rooted in cutting-edge atmospheric science and represents the translation of research into real-world impact. At its core, FASTA combines:

This integration demonstrates how research and innovation can deliver practical, life-saving tools when driven by real-world needs.

The project is also a powerful example of international collaboration. FASTA has been co-developed with African meteorologists, national weather services, humanitarian organisations, and end users, ensuring the outputs are trusted, relevant, and usable in local contexts.

NCAS has played a central role in FASTA’s development, providing scientific leadership, technical expertise, and infrastructure. The FASTA app itself was developed at the University of Leeds with NCAS, translating years of atmospheric science research into an operational service.

NCAS researchers contribute expertise in convective storms, satellite meteorology, and high-impact weather, ensuring that FASTA remains scientifically robust while evolving with user needs. This is a clear example of NCAS’s mission in action: creating cutting-edge scientific insights that lead to tangible societal benefits.

FASTA is already supporting thousands of users and continues to expand across the continent. Its long-term vision is to improve near real-time storm information across Africa, closing critical gaps in forecasting and early warning systems.

The urgency of this work is clear. Across Africa, high-impact weather events can have devastating consequences, and improving forecasting capability is essential to reducing risk and strengthening resilience.

The RMetS award recognises not just a technological innovation, but a collective effort to close the gap between science and society.

The FASTA team is a partnership between the National Centre for Atmospheric Science and the University of Leeds, working with African meteorologists and National Meteorological Services – Ghana Meteorological Agency, Zambia Meteorological Department, Mozambique National Meteorology Institute, and Kenya Meteorological Department. The team has built on international research carried out by the Global Challenges Research Fund funded African SWIFT programme.

Expertise in meteorology and data science from the University of Leeds’ School of Earth, Environment and Sustainability, the School of Mathematics, and the Centre for Environmental Modelling and Computation have been combined with NCAS’s strengths in computational systems, innovation and remote sensing.