African Mountain Research Foundation Network Joins the Synoptic Platform
The African Mountain Research Foundation (AMRF) is working to fill critical data gaps in some of the continent’s most ecologically and hydrologically important regions. Now, their growing network of high-altitude weather stations is part of the Synoptic platform, helping make their valuable data more discoverable, accessible, and actionable for users around the world.
AMRF’s Mission: Closing the Gap
AMRF is a UK registered charity founded to support research and conservation in mountain ecosystems, deploying solar-powered weather stations at elevations above 1,700 meters. These nine stations provide real-time data for temperature, wind, rainfall, solar radiation, relative humidity, and atmospheric pressure —critical inputs for environmental modeling, risk assessments, and national forecasting efforts. Working alongside the national meteorological agencies in the countries they operate in, these stations are filling a critical data gap.
The data is not just being collected—it’s being shared! AMRF’s commitment to open access aligns closely with Synoptic’s own mission: to democratize environmental data and support those working on the front lines of environmental adaptation, biodiversity protection, and resource management.
Why This Data Matters
From the Drakensberg range to the peaks of Malawi and Zimbabwe, mountain regions across southern Africa are key sources of water, biodiversity, and local livelihoods. But climate change and land use pressures are rapidly altering these fragile ecosystems.
A recent example of how this network is helping combat the effects of weather is from July 2024. The Sentinel Car Park weather station, part of AMRF’s network, recorded wind speeds reaching 157 km/h during a cold front—comparable to a Category 2 hurricane. This data point has been instrumental in developing a fire danger index for the North-Eastern Free State Fire Protection Association. By providing real-time, high-elevation weather data, AMRF’s network enables local authorities to better assess and respond to fire risks in the Drakensberg region. To plan for the future, such as in the example above, decision-makers need better data—especially at high elevations, where weather conditions can be highly variable and under-monitored.
Why Synoptic?
By joining the Synoptic platform, AMRF’s data is now available through one of the world’s most trusted environmental data platforms. Bringing AMRF’s network onto the Synoptic platform provides:
- Broader visibility for high-elevation African data
- The ability to view the AMRF network alongside other datasets for situational awareness
- Valuable data for forecasters, researchers, and government agencies
Synoptic’s platform supports decision-makers with forecasting, hydrologic modeling and flood warnings, and local decision support—making AMRF’s data useful far beyond its initial collection sites.
Looking Forward
This partnership is a powerful example of how global data infrastructure can support local missions. Synoptic is proud to host AMRF’s data and help bring attention to the challenges—and opportunities—facing Africa’s mountain regions.
We invite researchers, data users, and conservation partners to explore this unique dataset and learn more about the important work AMRF is doing.