Enhancing Weather Information in the South-west Pacific

1. The WMO Information System (WIS) and Regional Association V(South-west Pacific) Terry Hart Bureau of Meteorology Australia Weather and Ocean Services Policy Branch

2. Where is RA V?

3. RA V - Composition “Western countries” - Australia, NZ, USA (Hawaii), UK (Pitcairn Island) South-east Asian countries (part of ASEAN) - Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, Indonesia, Brunei Pacific countries - Papua New Guinea - Pacific Island countries ranging in population from 800,000 in Fiji to 1500 in Niue - mostly English speaking apart from New Caledonia and French Polynesia Special issues for Pacific Island countries - small populations scattered over a vast area - limited availability and high cost of communications - role of regional organisations (SOPAC, SPREP)

4. AsiaSat-4 GEONETCast Evolution to global coverage GEONETCast Current and Planned coverage

5. Communications • WMO Global Telecommunications System (GTS) • Some Pacific Island countries still relying on the Aeronautical Fixed Telecommunication Network (AFTN) • HF Radiofacsimile (Australia, NZ) • Emergency Managers Weather Information Network (EMWIN) • RANET (local radio; HF e-mail; satellite digital radio broadcasts - voice and data) • Broadcast capacity on meteorological satellites (LRIT from GOES and MTSAT; ISCS) • Registered User pages – providing weather information (satellite imagery, weather charts) to Meteorological Services of PICs • Internet

6. Examples of WIS-like functionality already being used • Internet connections on the RMTN • e-mail data exchange and submission of observations implemented by RTH Melbourne and Wellington • Collection of some observations (e.g. in remote areas of Australia) using VPN over satellite links • Down-loading of satellite imagery by NMHSs in the region via Internet such as from NESDIS, JMA or the Bureau, including the use of the SATAID system • Registered User web pages for NMHSs in the region • Web pages from the ASEAN Specialized Meteorological Centre in Singapore, such as satellite imagery for hot spots and location of haze.

10. Issues for WIS in RA-V • Difficulty to engage NMHSs and Directors of NMHSs • Benefits not apparent (“what’s in it for us?”) • WIS seen as an idea for advanced countries and research institutions • It will accentuate rather than address the “digital divide” • Seen as something remote and way into the future • The message of WIS is still confined within the WMO community

11. Potential benefits for developing countries in RA V • Removing the complexity of access to observations via the GTS - headers, decoders, formats, migration to table driven code formats, …. • Facilitate access to new observation types and data by defining requirements at a functional level rather than through technical details: - observations: scatterometer, AMDAR, lightning, … - NWP, seasonal to interannual predictions - satellite imagery and derived products - climate change predictions • Savings on leased line costs ? • Assisting in improving the flow of multi-disciplinary information - e.g. tsunamis • Provide a platform to Improve services to aviation (in the Pacific) • Enhancing the role of NMHS as a key information provider

12. Requirements to realise the potential benefits • A geographical search capability to define the data needs for real-time data feed • Making transparent to the NMHSs the transition to table-driven code formats • Providing an observational data entry facility that removes the need for a separate GTS or AFTN link • Demonstrated simplification and improved cost effectiveness of communications links • Linking to visualisation capabilities e.g. SATAID • Effective, efficient performance for tsunami information and warnings • Particular challenge – timeliness, robustness, multidisciplinary and multi-agency • Assurance that the role of NMHS will be enhanced not diminished (e.g. in the establishment of other DCPCs or the general expansion of scope of the WIS)

13. 7.4.x.11 Congress emphasized the crucially important role played by the WMO regional associations in the implementation of observing systems. While the integration may have a positive impact on them through the consolidation of individual systems into a single observational focus, thereby reducing the complexity of global programme support structures and activities, the important regional implementation role of the regional associations will be mandated and strengthened.

14. Some issues for the implementation of WIS in RA V • Need to engage NHMSs and address concerns about their role • Need to engage regional organisations such as: • Pacific Islands Applied Geoscience Commission (SOPAC) • SOPAC is the focus for ISDR in the Pacific region • South Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) • Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre (ADPC) • Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre • (engagement of international programmes such as ISDR is one approach – but it may be very indirect and less effective) • Confusion in badging of initiatives - e.g. GEONETcast or IGDDS? • Defining potential DCPCs in the region - no consultation yet? • Need to see concrete signs of progress - e.g. some small steps working outwards

15. In conclusion Experience in tropical cyclones and tsunamis has highlighted to the international community the valuable and unique infrastructure WMO has in our coordinated operational centres, underpinned by the GTS and supporting communications WIS is a growth path that can open up access to a broader range of information as it evolves, but still retains the GTS functions WIS plans fit well with the current multi-hazard multi-purpose approach to disaster mitigation and prevention but to enhance communications among broader environmental users we need to engage agencies outside the NMHSs in the development of WIS NMHSs need to understand more clearly how WIS will benefit them and to see visible signs of implementation.