Euskalmet promotes Minka/KazkaApp, a tool to register hailstorms
03/09/2025
Euskalmet has launched Minka/KazkaApp, a new citizen science tool promoted by the Basque Meteorological Agency that will enable citizens to collaborate in the monitoring of one of the most destructive meteorological phenomena affecting the territory: hail.
In recent years, the Basque Country has suffered several hail episodes that have caused significant damage to homes, vehicles and crops. Climate projections suggest that these events will become more frequent and extreme as a result of climate change. In light of this reality, improving detection and prediction systems is key to reducing their impact.
Although Euskalmet already has observation tools, such as weather radars and specific sensors in stations, the localised and ephemeral nature of hail hinders its precise detection. Minka/KazkaApp was created precisely to cover these limitations, enabling citizens to register hail episodes in real time by sending photographs and basic details, such as the place, date, time and approximate size of the hail.
These voluntary contributions will be used to:
- Improve short-term warnings of hail storms.
- Increase knowledge on the evolution of this phenomenon within the context of climate change.
- Reduce damage to infrastructure and productive activities.
The application is available for free download on Android and Apple devices, and is part of the Urban Klima 2050 Citizen Platform, which includes various tools to get citizens involved in climate adaptation.
Minka/KazkaApp contributes to the fulfilment of several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), such as SDG 11 (sustainable cities and communities), SDG 13 (climate action) and SDG 17 (partnerships for the goals), as well as others linked to well-being, education or food safety.
