China plans to launch the world's first geostationary microwave atmospheric sounding satellite during the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-30) to support more precise monitoring and warnings of extreme weather, officials with the China Meteorological Administration said on Tuesday.

Cheng Lei, director of the administration's Department of Planning and Finance, said China aims to raise the monitoring rate of meteorological disasters to 85 percent by 2030 with the support of meteorological satellites and weather radars.

"China plans to launch the world's first geostationary microwave atmospheric sounding satellite to enable all-weather, high-frequency and three-dimensional observations of the atmosphere, supporting precise monitoring and warning of extreme weather," he said at a news conference.

The country will also expand its Fengyun satellite family, including the launch of Fengyun 4D, to support both domestic forecasting and international services, particularly for countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative.

Meanwhile, China will upgrade its weather radar network, increasing coverage at 1 kilometer above ground level from 54 percent to 65 percent by 2030. The expansion is expected to cover areas prone to heavy rainfall and severe convective weather, as well as regions vulnerable to geological disasters, Cheng said.

Enhanced coordination between large-scale and localized radar systems is expected to improve detection of smaller but highly destructive weather events such as tornadoes and hailstorms, he added.

At the news conference held by the State Council Information Office, CMA head Chen Zhenlin said China is stepping up efforts to strengthen its ability to respond to extreme weather, aiming to achieve major technological breakthroughs and build a world-class meteorological system by 2030.

The country is targeting marked improvements in monitoring, forecasting and emergency response as climate change drives more frequent and intense weather events.

"By 2030, we aim to achieve major breakthroughs in key meteorological technologies," said Chen, adding that China's overall capacity to respond to extreme weather will be significantly enhanced.

China will launch a dedicated initiative focused on extreme weather response, built around early detection, early judgment, early preparation and early prevention.

Weather monitoring will become more precise and sensitive through upgrades to satellites, radar systems and ground-based observation equipment, Chen said.

Observation networks will be expanded in high-risk areas such as flood-prone regions, major transport corridors as well as densely populated zones to eliminate blind spots and improve early detection, he added.

Forecasting capabilities will also be upgraded through the use of big data and artificial intelligence, enabling more accurate and timely predictions.

China will deepen the integration of AI with physical forecasting models to improve accuracy, resolution and timeliness.

A national demonstration program for AI-powered meteorological models will be launched to accelerate innovation and cross-sector collaboration.

In addition, the country aims to improve the efficiency of early warning systems and strengthen coordination between forecasts and emergency responses. Efforts will be enhanced to ensure information flows quickly and triggers timely action such as evacuations when necessary.

"We need to make sure warnings are understandable and actionable," Chen said, stressing the importance of public awareness and multiagency coordination in disaster prevention.

zhaoyimeng@chinadaily.com.cn