Climate services at the Armenian State Hydrometeorological and Monitoring Service

1. Climate services at the Armenian State Hydrometeorological and Monitoring Service AnahitHovsepyan Climate Research Division Armstatehydromet

2. ARMENIA IN BRIEF • Armenia is situated in the north-eastern part of Armenian plateau • The lowest altitude is about 370m a.s.l., the highest point is 4095m (M. Aragats) • The total territory of the country 29.800 km2 • Geographical location of Armenia, complex mountain relief have conditioned the diversity of natural conditions across the country. Second WMO/MEDARE International Workshop, Nicosia Cyprus

3. Armenia: IN BRIEF • The climate is dry, the annual average precipitation amounts to 592mm, with the range of 250-1000mm. Annual average temperature is 5.50C, with minimum recorded temperature of -420C, and maximum recorded 430C. WMO Wrokshop on Strategyfor Implementation of CSIS, WMO, Geneva

4. Hydrometeorological hazards in Armenia • Drought • Heat/cold wave • Hail • Spring Frost • Strong wind • Heavy Rainfall • Flood • Avalanche WMO Wrokshop on Strategyfor Implementation of CSIS, WMO, Geneva

5. Armstatehydromet: Evolution of observation network • First observations started in 1843 in Gyumri and in 1844 in Yerevan • Highest number of stations 77 was in 1972 • Until 1935 two times per day observations • Until 1965 - 4 times • From 1966 - 8 times Second WMO/MEDARE International Workshop, Nicosia Cyprus

6. Current network Consists of 47 meteorological stations 8 obs. per day 5 stations have time series for more than 100years Those are unique in the region due to their location and duration. 12 stations are high-mountainous and located at the elevation over 2000 m above sea level, out of them 6 are remote and hard-to-reach stations. Aragatshigh-mountain (3229 m a.s.l.) established in 1929, It is the only station in the region, operating in the altitude more 3000m Aragats h/m included in the GSN. Second WMO/MEDARE International Workshop, Nicosia Cyprus

7. FORECASTING ACTIVITIES Scale of forecasts • Nowcasting • Short range forecast • Medium range forecast • Monthly forecast • Seasonal forecast Specialized forecasts • Hydrological • Agrometeorological WMO Wrokshop on Strategyfor Implementation of CSIS, WMO, Geneva

8. FORECASTING ACTIVITIES Data/Information used for weather forecasting • Observationdata • Forecast maps (images) from UK MO, ECMWF, GFS, Roshydromet • Satellite images from EUMETCAST • Aerological measurements (diagrams, charts) • Synoptic knowledge on dynamical processes • Implementing WRF, HRM in experimental stage WMO Wrokshop on Strategyfor Implementation of CSIS, WMO, Geneva

9. CLIMATE SERVICES WMO Wrokshop on Strategyfor Implementation of CSIS, WMO, Geneva

10. RAVI RCC node on climate monitoring T2m from NCEP-NCAR Reanalysis Input to: Annual bulletin on the climate in WMO RAVI BAMS State of the Climate ECA&D ECSM GPCC Precip. CAMS-OPI WMO Wrokshop on Strategyfor Implementation of CSIS, WMO, Geneva

11. Satellite derived products Satellite Application Facility on Climate Monitoring (CM-SAF) DWD provides high quality data sets with high spatial resolution • inter-comparison of satellite data with observed values for solar radiation and albedo, • validation of CM-SAF products • development and application of merging technique with surface data WMO Wrokshop on Strategyfor Implementation of CSIS, WMO, Geneva

12. Climate studies During last 80 years average temperature by 0.85° C and annual precipitation decreased by 6% in Armenia Change of CDD Precipitation changes Change of Summer days WMO Wrokshop on Strategyfor Implementation of CSIS, WMO, Geneva

13. Climate change studies Involvement in preparation on National Communications: Development of climate change scenarios based on PRECIS outcomes under A2 Ability of models to reproduce regional climate features in South Caucasus (CMIP3 data) to identify suitable set of models analysis of spatial patterns, annual cycle, interannual variability WMO Wrokshop on Strategyfor Implementation of CSIS, WMO, Geneva

14. Need to enhance Armstatehydromet efforts and improve utilization of climate information for climate change adaptation methods, • Need to support development and application of advanced climate products and strengthen institutional capacity of Armstatehydromet • Strengthen capacities of relevant ministries, organizations, local government bureaus and communities in using the available climate information WMO Wrokshop on Strategyfor Implementation of CSIS, WMO, Geneva

15. Gaps & Needs • Strengthen human capacities • Educational level, scientific and technical qualifications of the staff do not fully meet the current requirements • Technical capacities • Most of the equipment needs to be modernized, softwares upgraded, automated • Observation network to be upgraded significantly • Implement new methodologies, models • Develop Long Range Forecasting system • Implement application models – agrometeorological, hydrological etc. WMO Wrokshop on Strategyfor Implementation of CSIS, WMO, Geneva

16. Gaps & Needs • International, regional cooperation, • To establish an effective system of cross-border exchange of warnings among NMHSs, • Timeliness, frequency, content, format and delivery to be specified between the NMHSs • Cross-border exchanges of warnings should not be limited to relatively short-lived meteorological hazards • To exchange for hazards of longer-time scale, such as heat, cold, wet or dry spells, drought etc WMO Wrokshop on Strategyfor Implementation of CSIS, WMO, Geneva

17. Thank You WMO Wrokshop on Strategyfor Implementation of CSIS, WMO, Geneva