Looking to the skies for safety on the slopes

Ice sports and ceremonies

Apart from snow events, the opening and closing ceremonies as well as the indoor ice sports at the Games also require precise weather support to ensure their smooth running.

Zhao Guangna, deputy director of the Games' meteorological station, said one of the key tasks for the city's meteorological team was supporting the flame-lighting ceremony, which relied on an "ice lens" to focus sunlight and ignite the torch.

"The most important factor for the flame-lighting was cloud cover," Zhao said. "We needed clear skies to ensure the ice lens effectively concentrated the sunlight."

The team monitored a range of factors, including air pollution, wind speed, wind direction and visibility to ensure optimal conditions. "Even a slight change in visibility or wind speed could have disrupted the ceremony," she said.

The opening and closing ceremonies, featuring elaborate fireworks displays, posed another challenge for the meteorological team. "Fireworks require very specific weather conditions," Zhao said, adding that wind speed and direction are critical to ensuring safety and visual impact.

The meteorological services even extend indoors to the highly sensitive ice sports, particularly curling, due to the sport's reliance on precise ice conditions. "We have been paying close attention to the possible impact on the ice rink caused by temperature or humidity fluctuations, providing precise forecasting services," Zhao said.

To address the problem, the team has installed eight mini weather stations inside the curling venue.

The weather team's preparations for the Games have been rigorous, with seven test ice sports events conducted between September and January. "Each test event allowed us to refine our forecasting models and ensure seamless coordination with organizers," Zhao said.

The 9th Asian Winter Games in Harbin will see 1,275 athletes from 34 countries and regions compete across 64 events from Feb 7 to 14.

zhaoyimeng@chinadaily.com.cn