News in Brief Climate

Cell phone towers monitor African rains

Tracking bad reception can record weather patterns in remote regions

RAIN CHECK  Weakened signals during storms from cell phone broadcast towers like these helped scientists monitor African rains.

orangecrush/Shutterstock

By Thomas Sumner

- More than 2 years ago

Distorted cell phone signals could help track the rains down in Africa.

While not always noticeable, cell phones get worse reception during rainstorms.