Enhancing the Potential Application of Climate Forecasts Webinar
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and its Regional Office for Europe hosted the webinar "Enhancing the Potential Application of Climate Forecasts" on 25 September. The event brought together UN Resident Coordinators, UN Country Teams, National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs), researchers, and experts from various sectors to explore the role of climate forecasts in decision-making and resilience-building.
Dr. Kornelia Radics, Director of the WMO Regional Office for Europe, opened the webinar by highlighting the importance of climate forecasts for resilience. Filipe Domingos Freires Lúcio, Director of Member Services and Development at WMO, emphasized the need for actionable climate services and called for stronger international collaboration.
The webinar benefited from the valuable contributions and support of various UN agencies, including FAO, OCHA, and WHO, whose expertise and commitment were pivotal in enriching the discussions. Additionally, the leadership and active participation of national agencies, such as the Meteorological Services of Germany and Spain, played a crucial role in showcasing best practices and advancing the development and implementation of climate services at both regional and subregional levels. These collaborations highlight the importance of a united approach in addressing climate challenges and strengthening the integration of climate services into decision-making processes.
The event was structured into three main parts. The first part set the context with presentations on global and national frameworks for weather, seasonal, and monthly forecasts. Experts discussed their applications in adaptation and decision-making processes.
The second part showcased ongoing initiatives and real-world examples of climate forecasts being used across sectors such as agriculture, health, renewable energy, and disaster preparedness. Highlights included Spain’s operational alert system for heatwaves developed in partnership with health institutes and Italy’s integration of seasonal forecasts into health planning, despite challenges with forecast accuracy in mid-range applications.
The final part of the webinar featured an open discussion. Participants shared their experiences, identified infrastructure gaps, and explored collaborative opportunities to enhance the delivery and use of climate services.
Key takeaways from the webinar included the critical role of seasonal forecasts in supporting long-term planning, the importance of cross-sectoral collaboration to maximize the value of climate services, and the need to improve communication and delivery mechanisms to make these services more accessible and actionable.
The event concluded with participants reaffirming their commitment to continued collaboration and innovation in climate services to support sustainable development and climate resilience.
The summary and recordings of the webinar are accessible here. These resources aim to guide future engagements and facilitate continued collaboration.