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Last
updated: 28 February 2006 |
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Commission for Atmospheric Sciences elects new officers At its recent 14th session (Cape Town, South Africa, 16-24 February), WMO’s Commission for Atmospheric Sciences elected a new president and re-elected its vice-president: President: Michel Béland (Director General, Atmospheric and Climate Science Directorate, Meteorological Service of Canada) See: http://www.msc-smc.ec.gc.ca/acsd/ Vice-president: Alexander Frolov (Deputy Head, Russian Federal Service for hydrometeorology and environmental monitoring (Roshydromet), Russian Federation) See: http://www.gloriad.org/gloriad/team/russia/
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Michel Béland
Alexander Frolov |
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Third warmest summer on record for Sydney According to the Australian Bureau of Meteorology, Sydney experienced its third warmest summer since records began in 1859. The average summer temperature for the 2005/2006 season was calculated at 23.9° Celsius (combined day and night readings)— the historic average is 22.4°C. The city’s hottest summer on record remains 1991, when the mean temperature was calculated at 24.6°C. Maximum readings for the daytime (27.8° C) capped the historic average by nearly 2°C , while the highest temperature registered during the entire summer was 44.2°C on New Year’s Day— the second warmest ever recorded at Sydney Observatory Hill. Readings surpassed 30°C on 19 days, doubling the norm, while temperatures at night in the city rose above 20°C on 47 occasions (average is 17). Summer rainfall (197.8 mm) was well below the historic mean (298 mm) though precipitation fell on 35 days, which was average. On 26 February, one of the season’s seven storms (average 9) caused heavy rain, flooding northern and western areas of Sydney. |
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WMO awards first weather modification research prize The Prize for Excellence in Advancing the Science and Practice of Weather Modification has been awarded for the first time to Deon Terblanche and his team of the South African Weather Service for their project on hydroscopic seeding technology. The project investigates ways of inducing rain by dropping flares into clouds from aircraft. The US$ 200 000 prize was established by the Department of Atmospheric Studies of the Ministry for Presidential Affairs of the United Arab Emirates and WMO in 2003. It seeks to reward and encourage significant advances, definitive studies and new ideas in the field of weather modification, particularly for the enhancement of precipitation. The award ceremony took place during the 14th Session of the Commission for Atmospheric Sciences in Cape Town, South Africa. |
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Rain hampers rescue efforts in Philippines As rescue efforts continue after the massive landslide that buried the village of Guinsaugon in southern Leyte, on 17 February, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) forecast (on 21 February) scattered rainshowers and isolated thunderstorms for the following 24-48 hours. Weather could briefly clear up after the passage of a cold front (currently located over northern Luzon) and the weakening of a low-pressure area some 200 kilometres south-west of southern Mindanao. PAGASA then predicts partly cloudy skies with more rain over eastern parts of the archipelago (including Guinsaugon) until 2 March. Meanwhile, torrential rain has triggered mudslides and flooding in Indonesia’ s eastern city of Manado which lies some 1 000 km due south of Leyte. |
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Commission of Atmospheric Sciences—14th session underway in Cape Town The 14th session of WMO’s Commission of Atmospheric Sciences is currently underway in Cape Town, South Africa. Topics on the agenda include the submission of a study about the effects of climate change on tropical cyclones, the forecasting of adverse health impacts in Africa, strengthening cooperation with university facilities and the THORPEX (a Global Atmospheric Research Programme) Interactive Grand Global Ensemble, which aims to accelerate improvements in the accuracy of one-day to two-week high-impact weather forecasts. The session ends 24 February. It was preceded by the Technical Conference: "Improving the Global Predictability of High Impact Weather including a review of Southern Hemisphere plans". |
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Winter games weather forecasts Snow and ice conditions can mean the difference between being a gold medallist and a runner-up. Equipment experts with Olympic teams pay special attention to the latest meteorological reports and prepare their athlete’s gear accordingly. Forecasts and meteorological conditions can also play a role in whether a particular event is held or postponed— vital knowledge for members of the public who may be considering a long journey to watch their favourite sport. For the XX Winter Olympiad in Turin,
a link to the latest forecasts provided by the Italian Meteorological Service
has been posted on the front page of the WMO Website: |
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Landmark greenhouse gas bulletin In March 2006, WMO will publish its first annual bulletin detailing the composition of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. The monitoring of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide is a key element in the understanding and study of the significant rise in the Earth’s mean surface temperature witnessed over the past few decades. Each year, the Bulletin will report the latest trends and atmospheric loading of the three most influential and long-lived greenhouse gasses: carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide. Forty-four Members conduct accurate observations at observatories, or from ships and aircraft, which are then archived and distributed by the World Data Centre for Greenhouse Gases (WDCGG), located at the Japan Meteorological Agency. WMO will prepare the bulletin in cooperation with WDCGG and the Global Atmospheric Watch Scientific Advisory Group for Greenhouse Gases with the assistance of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Earth System Research Laboratory. See Info Note No. 18 |
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Drought to continue in Greater Horn of Africa The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC) says that drought conditions throughout the Greater Horn of Africa are likely to continue in many areas between February and the beginning of April. ICPAC’s latest Climate Outlook indicates that much of Somalia, Kenya, eastern and southern Ethiopia, southern Sudan, northern Uganda and north-eastern areas of the United Republic of Tanzania will experience below-normal to near-normal rainfall, while northern parts of the Greater Horn of Africa are likely to remain very dry. The only sectors that might benefit from random precipitation events are those close to large bodies of water: southern, western and north-western United Republic of Tanzania; Burundi, Rwanda, southern Uganda, western Kenya and coastal parts of Somalia. According to the IGAD/ICPAC assessment of impacts on various socio-economic sectors, the ongoing drought will continue to have strong negative impacts until at least April 2006. Several of the worst affected areas in the Greater Horn of Africa have recorded their driest months since 1961. Experts are currently working to produce a more comprehensive consensus seasonal forecast for the region for the period March to May 2006. The consensus forecast report is due for publication at the IGAD Climate Outlook Forum, which takes place 1-3 March 2006.
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Centre of Excellence launched
A new Centre of Excellence in satellite meteorology was commissioned at Sultan Qaboos University, Oman, on 11 February 2005, marking a significant contribution to efforts to strengthen preparedness in dealing with potential weather-related natural disasters in the Oman region. The Virtual Laboratory Centre of Excellence for Education and Training in Satellite Meteorology was launched at a ceremony attended by the Civil Aviation Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Transport and Communications, Mohammed bin Sakhar al Amri; the Secretary-General of WMO, Mr Michel Jarraud; and the Director-General of the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT), Dr Lars Prahm. The new centre is jointly sponsored by WMO and EUMETSAT and is the seventh such WMO centre of excellence for training in satellite meteorology around the world. The other centres are in Australia, Barbados, China, Costa Rica, Kenya and Niger. See: http://www.wmo.int/web/sat/vl.htm and http://www.met.gov.om/ |
(credit: space today online) |
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Record snowfall in New York The US National Weather Service said that some 68 cm of snow had fallen in Central Park by 4 p.m. on 12 February—the highest total since officials started keeping records in 1869. The previous record was 67 cm in December 1947. Airports across the north-east region were closed. Some 40 000 homes were without power in Washington and parts of Maryland and another 85 000 lost power in the Baltimore area. Winds gusted at speeds of 89 km/h in the Massachusetts region of Cape Cod. |
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2005 and 1998: the warmest years on record The global mean surface temperature in 2005 was 0.47°C above the 1961-1990 annual average (14°C). This places 2005 as the second warmest year in the temperature record since 1850. The warmest year is 1998 with annual surface temperatures averaging 0.52°C above the same 30-year mean. The last 10 years (1996-2005), with the exception of 1996, are the warmest years on record. The five warmest years in decreasing order are: 1998, 2005, 2002, 2003 and 2004. |
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Just out: World Climate News No. 28 The latest issue of World Climate News focuses on climate and Small Island Developing States. World Climate News (English and French editions) can be accessed via the WMO catalogue of publications on the WMO homepage: http://www.wmo.int/web/catalogue/ Paper copies are available upon request: pubsales@wmo.int |
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Improved atmospheric monitoring Automated air reports from aircraft in flight have helped improve weather forecasts and have thus enhanced aviation safety. A new generation of an atmospheric observing system called the Tropospheric Airborne Meteorological Data Reporting (TAMDAR) system has been launched. Once completed, the TAMDAR sensor will be able to provide more than 5 000 atmospheric soundings per day, compared to 140 provided by the current radiosonde* network. * A radiosonde is a balloon-borne platform containing instruments which make direct measurements of air temperature, humidity and pressure with height, typically to altitudes of approximately 30 km. It also provides an indirect measure of wind speed and direction at various levels throughout the troposphere. |
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New: WMO at a glance In 20 pages, WMO at a glance (WMO-No. 990) gives a brief but colourful review of the activities of WMO and of the National Meteorological and Hydrological Services in the fields of weather, climate and water. To order this publication, contact: pubsales@wmo.int WMO at a glance is also available in pdf format via the WMO homepage under "About us": http://www.wmo.int/web-en/about.html The French, Russian and Spanish versions will be available shortly. |
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Snow continues to blanket areas of Japan On 5 February, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said the amount of snow piled in Tsunan, Niigata Prefecture, surpassed 4 m for the first time since official observations began in the city (1989). In January, the harsh weather conditions prompted the JMA to issue early warnings for snowfall, landslides, flooding and avalanches. Officials in Japan have reported the snow- and cold-related deaths of some 118 people since the onset of winter, which has so far proved to be the country’s deadliest in two decades. Massive snowfalls have been recorded around the country with drifts reaching record heights in some cases. Victims included those who died when their roofs collapsed under the weight of the snow or who fell trying to clear them.
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(source: Japan Meteorological Agency) |
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First snow in Portugal in more than 50 years During the last weekend of January 2006, central and southern parts of Portugal experienced their first snow in more than 50 years. See METEOSAT image (right), courtesy
of EUMETSAT and: |
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Forecasting models to predict malaria epidemics Research results just published provide a potential weapon in the global battle against malaria. The European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts, based in the United Kingdom, is part of a research team, which carried out tests to predict malaria outbreaks in Botswana between 1982 and 2002. Climate influences both the development of the malaria parasite and the behaviour of the carrier mosquito. An estimated one million people die every year from the disease, while some 500 million are infected, of whom 90 per cent are in Africa. During testing, scientists employed a combination of climate-forecasting models (a technique known as ensemble forecasting) to provide more accurate predictions of when and where an outbreak is likely to occur. It is hoped that ensuing early warnings could allow governments and aid agencies to identify areas where resources such as mosquito nets and anti-malarial drugs could be deployed. Ensemble forecasting also calculates the likelihood of each prediction, hence, in times of uncertainty, decision-makers could employ a more uniform approach to the spread of resources.
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International cooperation a key to natural disaster mitigation The
Prime Minister of Bangladesh, H.E. Khaleda Zia, has called for
international cooperation to mitigate the effects of natural disasters such as
tropical cyclones, earthquakes and tsunamis through global exchange of weather
information as meteorological events know no political
or geographical boundaries. Speaking at the inaugural
ceremony of the 33rd session of the WMO/ESCAP Panel on Tropical Cyclones for the
Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea, HE Khaleda Zia
said that the Panel was a regional
platform, which promoted and
coordinated activities for the benefit of the region. The theme of this year’s
session is “Early warning systems and disaster management of all
meteorological and hydrological hazards in the Panel region”. The Panel on Tropical Cyclones is a joint initiative of WMO and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific. It aims to reduce damage due to tropical cyclones in the countries bordering the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea (Members are Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Oman, Maldives, Myanmar and Thailand). See: http://www.financialexpress-bd.com/index3.asp?cnd=1/31/2006&
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Mr Michel Jarraud presents vision for evolving role of NMHSs On 2 February 2006, the Secretary-General of the World Meteorological Organization, Mr Michel Jarraud, outlines his vision for The Evolving Role of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs). The presentation takes place at the International Session on Multi-Hazards Warning Systems at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Weather Service in Atlanta, Georgia as part of the 86th Annual Meeting of the American Meteorological Society. Mr Jarraud’s address will focus on how NMHSs can better face the challenges posed by natural disasters. The prevention and mitigation of natural hazards is the theme for World Meteorological Day on 23 March 2006. WMO stresses the importance of a multi-hazard approach towards prevention and mitigation strategies and the promotion and strengthening of NMHSs – especially those in developing or Least Developed Countries – as critical components of national disaster reduction. Resources for meteorological and related services should be considered as investments, rather than expenditure while partnerships and cooperation will be crucial. Also of paramount importance are improved quality and a more timely and widespread delivery of warnings to those threatened by natural disasters and the increasing involvement of NMHSs in multilateral issues such as those related to climate change, desertification and ozone.
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WeatherFest The World Meteorological Organization took part in the Fifth Annual WeatherFest, the hands-on science and weather show on 29 January at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. Children and adults were able to meet leading TV weather presenters, witness demonstrations, play games and learn more about how weather and climate affect daily life. The Weather Channel ’s Weather Wall was a popular attraction. Members of the public were filmed giving TV weather forecasts and received a video of their performance afterwards. The event also celebrated the 300th anniversary of the birth of Benjamin Franklin (17 January, 1706), statesman, founding father and scientist. His fascination with the weather provided early and insightful contributions towards studies of lightning, storm movements and the Gulf Stream, among others. |
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"Strengthening Operational Agrometeorological Services at a National Level" published "Strengthening Operational Agrometeorological Services at a National Level" is the proceedings from the Inter-Regional Workshop in March 2004 in Manila, Philippines. The Workshop was co-sponsored by the World Meteorological Organization, the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization and the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration. It is published by the United States Department of Agriculture. Twenty-eight participants from 19 countries attended the Workshop whose objectives were to evaluate the status of current agrometeorological services around the world and how National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) could make improvements. The volume includes details and subsequent recommendations of 21 scientific papers presented at the Workshop. For more details contact the WMO Secretariat at: wmo@wmo.int
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Climate as a resource The Secretary-General of WMO, Mr Michel Jarraud, has called for the constant exploration of "climate as a major resource" to meet the growing demands of society, within the context of achieving sustainable development. Mr Jarraud made the statement in Geneva at the opening of the WMO co-sponsored Forum of the European Foundation for the Sustainable Development of the Regions (FEDRE) whose theme this year is "Climate changes: energy and mobility". The Secretary-General stressed the role of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services and the need to further improve observing networks. The data thus derived are not only vital for research purposes, they are important in informed policy-making and action (e.g. early warning systems) in support of sustainable development. See: http://www.wmo.int/web/Press/geneva_january_o6_en.doc
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Tropical clouds under the microscope Around 200 scientists from all over the world have gathered in Darwin, Australia, to conduct a vast experiment to examine the life cycle of tropical clouds. Over the next three weeks, the Tropical Warm Pool International Cloud Experiment (TWP-ICE) will be employing aircraft, weather balloons, radar and a ship with the aim of discovering more about how tropical clouds form, behave and conduct heat into the upper reaches of the atmosphere— an important but little understood process in the transportation of heat around the world. Findings could be used in computer models to better predict global climate warming and its impact on the environment. The Australian Bureau of Meteorology, the US Department of Energy Atmospheric Radiation Measurement programme (DOE/ARM), the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the Australian Commonwealth Scientific and Research Organization, and various programmes and universities of the European Union, are participating in this multi-agency experiment. |
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Chinese meteorologist receives top prize The National Supreme Scientific and Technological Award was established by China in 1999 to acknowledge Chinese scientists who make breakthroughs in leading scientific disciplines or technological innovation, application and development. One of the two prizewinners in 2005 was meteorologist Ye Duzheng. Prof. Ye has been contributing to the science of meteorology for more than 60 years. In recognition of his work, he won WMO’s prestigious IMO Prize in 2003. Prof. Ye was interviewed in the January 2003 issue of the WMO Bulletin. |
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Kenya drought The Kenya Meteorological Department predicts that lack of rainfall could extend the current drought for a further 12 months. This would increase famine and undermine the country’s energy, tourism and agriculture sectors. See |
Kenya's wildlife will be at risk from extended drought. |
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Second year of
drought in Spain Spain’s last severe drought lasted about five years in the 1990s, which the NMI says is the norm. See:
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Australia’s hottest year Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology says that 2005 was the country’s hottest year since records began in 1910, with temperatures, on average, 1.09°C higher than normal. See: and http://edition.cnn.com/2006/WEATHER/01/04/waether.australia.reut/index.html
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Automatic weather stations for
Jamaica
Jamaica’s Meteorological Service aims to install a series of automatic weather stations across the island. At present, Jamaican Meteorological Service staff collect rainfall data manually from some 250 rainfall stations around the island. It is also planned to restore the Doppler radar which provides detailed information on the position and nature of hurricanes and other weather events. The project is expected to provide more rapid data on rainfall levels and improve the country's preparedness for the 2006 hurricane season. |
Jamaica is highly vulnerable to hurricanes as they cross the Caribbean. Losses were particularly high after the passage of Ivan in 2004. |
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Tracking tropical
cyclones See also: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/ and http://weather.gmdss.org |
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Ten tropical cyclones predicted in the South-West Indian Ocean (2005/06 season) The Mauritius Meteorological Services (MMS) has predicted a normal tropical cyclone season for 2005/06 with about ten named storms – matching 2004/05. Most of the storms are expected to take shape in the region of Diego Garcia with at least one in the Mozambique Channel. Meteorologists fear that at least two formations will develop into intense tropical cyclones with wind speeds of up to 250 kmph (155 mph). The country, which has a population of around 1.2 million people, is prone to cyclones between November and mid-May with a peak in January and February. In February 2003, Tropical Storm Gerry devastated houses, triggered power cuts and damaged sugar crops – one of the country’s major exports. The first ten names on this season’s list for the South-West Indian Ocean are Alvin, Boloetse, Carina, Diwa, Elia, Farda, Geduza, Helio, Isabella and Jaone. The MMS also forecast torrential rains, strong winds and flash floods over the summer. For more information: http://metservice.intnet.mu |
Vacoas meteorological station |
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Meteorological Office says UK to suffer coldest winter in a decade On 19 October the UK Meteorological Office said that icy winds from the east would trigger the coldest winter in a decade for Britain especially in southern regions. The Office’s latest predictions models indicate a colder than average winter for much of the European continent as well following a milder trend over the past few years. Experts said that such predictions could be made with an accuracy of two-thirds. The UK Met Office has been working with the country’s Department of Health, discovering a dramatic increase in mortality and hospital admissions during cold weather. See: http://www.met-office.gov.uk/research/seasonal/monthly_forecasts/headline.html
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Credit: Ian Britton |
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International Conference on Urban Climate
Experts in urban climatology will be meeting in Göteborg, Sweden, 12-16 June 2006, to discuss application of knowledge of the atmosphere and urban environments for the better design and operation of settlements. The conference is being co-sponsored by WMO, Göteborg University and the International Association for Urban Climate. For more information (call for papers, practical arrangements, etc.), see: For more information on WMO's urban climate activities, see: http://www.wmo.int/web/wcp/clips2001/html/UrbanClimatology&Training_Meeting.htm |
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Website
for safety at sea The
operational official Website of the Joint WMO/IOC Commission for Oceanography
and Marine Meteorology provides real-time access to marine weather information (e.g. movement of
cyclones) produced under the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System:
http://weather.gmdss.org. See also WMO
Bulletin 53 (2) or online (Word version) |
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