International Workshops on Tropical Cyclones (IWTC)
Jump to: IWTC-11 and previous IWTC documents
About the Workshops
The International Workshop on Tropical Cyclones (IWTC) was conceived in the early 1980s by a small group of tropical cyclone meteorologists led by Professor William Gray, who was then serving as a WMO project consultant. Their vision was to establish a global forum where forecasters and researchers from all tropical cyclone-prone regions could exchange knowledge, review advances in science and forecasting, and discuss emerging research priorities from an integrated global perspective.
The concept was endorsed by the Ninth World Meteorological Congress (1983) and by the WMO Executive Council at its 35th and 36th sessions. The first workshop was subsequently held in Bangkok, Thailand, in 1985, bringing together, for the first time, tropical cyclone specialists representing all five tropical cyclone regional bodies.
Held every four years, the IWTC is one of WMO's major scientific workshop series and the principal global forum dedicated to tropical cyclone science, forecasting and warning services.
The workshop series is jointly organized by the WMO Tropical Cyclone Programme (TCP) and the WMO World Weather Research Programme (WWRP).
Objectives
The IWTC aims to:
- report on current knowledge, forecasting and research trends on tropical cyclones from an integrated global perspective;
- foster communication within and between operational and research communities;
- identify needs and opportunities in TC operational and research and
- develop recommendations for actions that will improve the global knowledge of and response to TCs.
How the Workshop is Organized
Each IWTC is organized around an overarching theme and a number of technical topics covering the full spectrum of tropical cyclone science and services, including observations, numerical weather prediction, forecasting operations, impacts, communication, disaster risk reduction and climate change.
The workshop is led by the Co-Chairs and an International Organizing Committee, with each technical topic coordinated by Topic Leads supported by Rapporteurs and Working Group members. In advance of the workshop, Topic Leads prepare pre-session reports that summarize the current state of knowledge, highlight recent scientific and operational advances, identify remaining challenges and outline key questions for discussion.
During the workshop, plenary sessions and breakout discussions provide opportunities for participants to exchange views, refine findings and contribute to the development of the workshop recommendations. The Recommendation Committee synthesizes these contributions into a set of actionable recommendations to guide future priorities in tropical cyclone research, operational forecasting, international collaboration and capacity development.
Following the workshop, the recommendations are reviewed by the Advisory Group on Tropical Cyclones and approved by its parent body, the Standing Committee on DRR and Early Warning Services, under the WMO Technical Commission for Weather, Climate, Hydrological, Marine, and Related Environmental Services and Applications (SERCOM).
IWTC series
Workshop | Date and venue | (Co-) Chairs | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
IWTC - 11 | 16 - 20 November 2026 Shanghai, China | Eric Lau (USA, RA IV) Hui Yu (China, RA II) | IWTC-11 event page |
IWTC - 10 | 5 - 9 December 2022 Bali, Indonesia | Mr Joseph COURTNEY (Australia) Dr Robert ROGERS (USA) | |
IWTC - 9 | 5 - 9 December 2018 Honolulu, USA | Mr Mike BRENNAN (USA) Dr Yuqing WANG (Australia) | IWTC-9 report (WWRP 2020-2) |
IWTC - 8 | 2 – 10 December 2014 Jeju, Republic of Korea | Andrew Burton (Australia) Jenni Evans (USA) | - |
IWTC - 7 | 15 - 20 November 2010 St. Denis, La Reunion, France | Jeff KEPERT (Australia) Chris VELDEN (USA) | IWTC-7 report (WMO/TD-No. 1561) |
IWTC - 6 | 21 - 30 November 2006 San Jose, Costa Rica | Mr C.Y. LAM (Hong Kong, China) Prof Johnny CHAN (Hong Kong, China) | IWTC-6 report (WWRP 2007-1) |
IWTC - 5 | 3 - 12 December 2002 Cairns, Queensland, Australia | Prof Russell ELSBERRY | IWTC-5 proceedings (WMO/TD-No. 1165) |
IWTC - 4 | 21 - 30 April 1998 Haikou, Hainan, China | Dr Gary FOLEY (Australia) | IWTC-IV proceedings (WMO/TD-No. 961) Topic chairman and rapporteur reports (WMO/TD-No.875) |
IWTC - 3 | 22 November - 1 December 1993 Huatulco, Sta. Cruz, Mexico | Mr Jerry D. JARRELL (USA) | |
IWTC - 2 | 27 November - 8 December 1989 Manila, Philippines | Dr Greg HOLLAND (Australia) | |
IWTC - 1 | 25 November - 5 December 1985 Bangkok, Thailand | Prof William M. GRAY (USA) | IWTC proceedings (WMO/TD-No. 83) Topic chairman and rapporteur reports (Topic 6-9) (WMO/TD-No. 74) |