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IEDRO is examining and discussing options to accommodate the huge quantity of weather data to rescue at the site. While a few thousand charts can be handled by existing volunteers, 300,000 pieces of historic data require developing new approaches and methodologies.
 
The availability of historic weather data can help the scientific community anticipate extreme conditions and provide forewarning for possible catastrophes like Hurricane Ida that hit El Salvador the week before IEDRO’s visit. The torrential downpours set off massive landslides and killed over 200 people. El Salvador lies in the tropics, about thirteen degrees north latitude, and is a land of volcanoes and mountainous terrain. The poorest families construct shanties on these steep slopes while trying to manage a living. Without an adequate warning system, when the rains occur, there is really no possibility for them to escape the perilous flooding effect.
IEDRO’s collection of weather data from this site will be used by computer forecast models to improve flood and mudslide warning capabilities in El Salvador, which will hopefully prepare them for future climatic disaster and in turn save hundreds of lives every year.
New volunteer and meteorologist, Ben Johnson, will be providing liaison between IEDRO Headquarters and El Salvador to ensure our good communication continues.
Population: 7,185,218
Capital: San Salvador, El Salvador
Ethnic groups: Mestizo, White & Amerindian
Language: Predominantly Spanish. Nahua among some Amerindians
Industries: Food processing, beverages, petroleum, chemicals, fertilizer, textiles, furniture, & light metals
Religion: Roman Catholic, Protestant, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormon, & others
Median age: 22.5 years
Life expectancy: 72.33 years
GDP per capita: $6200/year
Economy: Although El Salvador is the smallest country in Central America, it has the third largest economy. In 2006 El Salvador was the first country to ratify the Central America-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA). CAFTA has bolstered the export of processed foods, sugar, and ethanol, and supported investment in the maquila sector. Economic growth will decelerate in 2009 due to the global slowdown and to El Salvador’s dependence on exports to the US and remittances from the US.
References
CIA World Factbook: El Salvador
Capitol City: San Salvador
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