Pacific Region RCSD Projects & Activities (PAWS) Worksheet
Form used for a entering PAWS into Piko (Worsheet Version April 27 2012)
Acronym
SWFDDP
Name/Title
Severe Weather Forecasting and Disaster Risk Reduction Demonstration Project
Capability Area: Understanding Climate Variability and Change
Understanding Climate Variability and Change
Observing Systems, Data Stewardship, Data Services
Operational Products and Services
Research/Development
Historical Observations (hindcasts/climatologies)
Projections (modeling and downscaling)
Training and Capacity Building, Education, Outreach
Best Practices/Guidance
Decision Support Tools
Essential Climate Variable/Parameter
Atmospheric:
Surface (e.g., temp, precip, wind)
Upper-Air
Composition
Oceanic:
Surface (e.g., SST, SSH, salinity, ocean color)
Sub-surface (e.g., temp, salinity, nutrients, carbon, phytoplankton)
Terrestrial:
(e.g., surface water, glaciers and ice caps, land cover, biomass)
Time Frame
Seasonal (outlook)
Intra-annual to Decadal
Multi-decadal (scenarios)
Capability Area: Understanding Climate Impacts and Informing Adaptation
Understanding Climate Impacts and Informing Adaptation
Climate Impacts
Observing Systems, Data Stewardship, Data Services
Research/Development
Historical Observations (hindcasts/climatologies)
Projections (modeling and downscaling)
Climate Adaptation
Training and Capacity Building, Education, Outreach
Best Practices/Guidance
Decision Support Tools
Policies and Legislation
Assessment and Evaluation
Sector
Public Health and Safety
Fresh Water Resources
Energy
Transportation/Communication and Commerce
Community Planning and Development
Social and Cultural Resources
Agriculture and Fisheries
Recreation and Tourism
Ecosystems
Other
Status
Completed
Ongoing
Planned
Proposed
Focus Area
Fresh Water Resources and Drought
Coastal Inundation/Sea Level Rise, Extreme Weather, and Community Resilience
Marine and Terrestrial Ecosystems
Region/Locale
Central North Pacific
State of Hawaii
Northwestern Hawaiian Islands
Pacific Remote Islands
Western North Pacific
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI)
Federated States of Micronesia (FSM)
Guam
Republic of Palau
Republic of Marshall Islands (RMI)
Other Western North Pacific
South Pacific
American Samoa
Australia
Cook Islands
Fiji
French Polynesia
Kiribati
New Zealand
Papua New Guinea (PNG)
Samoa
Solomon Islands
Tonga
Tuvalu
Vanuatu
Other South Pacific
Pacific Basin
Global
Description
As Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) and Ensemble Prediction Systems (EPS) improve, many NMHSs, especially those of developing countries, seek similar benefits to meteorological services. In particular, for the provision of advisories and warnings of severe weather events with increased lead-times, already being realized by other (mainly developed) countries. The Severe Weather Forecasting Demonstration Project (SWFDP) was set up under the WMO Commission of Basic Systems (CBS) to facilitate improved access to, training in the interpretation of, and use of existing NWP/EPS products by forecasters in developing countries. The SWFDDP in the Southwest Pacific contributes directly to day-to-day public weather forecasting and the forecasting of severe and high-impact weather phenomena, over a five day period.
Objectives/Outcomes
The main objectives of the Severe Weather Forecasting and Disaster risk reduction Demonstration Project “SWFDDP” in South Pacific Islands (also known as the SWFDDP – WMO Regional Association V) are: (1) to improve weather forecasting and warning services for eight Pacific Islands National Meteorological Services (NMS) (the Cook Islands, Kiribati, Fiji, Niue, Samoa, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu), with support from Australia (RSMC Darwin) and New Zealand (RSMC Wellington); and (2) the effective communication and use of severe weather forecasts and warnings to the public, in particular Disaster Management Offices, in order to fully realize the full value of the investment in improving the forecasting process. Key outcomes: (1) Protection of life and property; (2) Contribute to the monitoring and understanding of extreme weather events under a warming world in the tropical South West Pacific; and (3) Validation of Global Producing Centers (GPCs) prediction models.
Lead Agencies, Institutions and Organizations
RMSC Wellington (MetService NZ Ltd)
Contacts(names, emails)
Steve Ready, steve.ready@metservice.com Pene Lefale, pene.lefale@metservice.com James Lunny, james.lunny@metservice.com
Partnering Agencies, Institutions, and Organizations
NMS's of the eight Pacific Islands participating countries, World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
Required Resources
Projected Timelines
Ongoing
Feedback Mechanisms and Evaluation Measures
A Project Steering Committee (RSC) made up of representatives from each of the participating countries/organizations was set up prior to the start of the project. A pilot phase, involving only four Pacific Island NMSs (Samoa, Fiji, Vanuatu and Solomons), began in November 2009 prior to moving the project to a full phase (started in November 2010). A project implementation plan was developed and endorsed by the RSC. The RSC has met twice during the course of the project to review progress and evaluate its success.
Url
Worksheet
PnA_SWFDDP.doc
Keywords
Understanding Climate Variability and Change Observing Systems, Data Stewardship, Data Services Operational Products and Services Research/Development Training and Capacity Building, Education, Outreach Surface (e.g., temp, precip, wind) Upper-Air Seasonal (outlook) Understanding Climate Impacts and Informing Adaptation Climate Impacts Historical Observations (hindcasts/climatologies) Projections (modeling and downscaling) Climate Adaptation Assessment and Evaluation Best Practices/Guidance Policies and Legislation Training and Capacity Building, Education, Outreach Ongoing Coastal Inundation/Sea Level Rise, Extreme Weather, and Community Resilience Marine and Terrestrial Ecosystems South Pacific American Samoa Samoa Tonga Fiji New Zealand French Polynesia Vanuatu Solomon Islands