The Walloon Region's winter climate is characterised by night frost frequently alternating with positive day temperatures. For this reason, the Ministry of Equipment and Transport has invested in the installation of 47 weather stations to enable the meteorologists of the Air Force to give accurate weather forecasts that take account of the complexity of the local microclimatology. This Ministry has also acquired a forecasting software. From data gathered by the stations and from general weather forecasts, this software can make prognoses about the temperature and the pavement condition expected nearby each main station 24 hours in advance. Given these developments, a forecasting thermal map can be drawn up. The road manager can consult his local terminal and display a forecasting map including a detailed background map and different colour markings symbolising the classes of ground temperature and the points where exceptional temperatures are reached. (A)
Samenvatting