World Meteorological Organization

The recent RA VI RCC User Forum brought together about 60 experts, stakeholders, and regional representatives to discuss advancements, challenges, and opportunities in regional climate services. Key takeaways and action points included:

1. Enhancing Regional Climate Services

• Participants emphasized fostering closer coordination between Regional Climate Centers (RCCs) and Regional Climate Outlook Forums (RCOFs).
• Discussions highlighted the growing demand for actionable climate services, such as urban climate forecasts, agricultural advisories, and health-related climate impacts.
• Innovative tools like the Climate Services Toolkit (CST) were presented as key resources to unify and strengthen regional capabilities.

2. Data Innovation and Integration

• Advances in cloud computing infrastructure, such as the European Weather Cloud, were spotlighted as pivotal in reducing data-handling costs and increasing computational efficiency.
• Participants acknowledged the value of integrating third-party data, like personal weather stations, while addressing quality control challenges.

3. Challenges in Coverage and Stakeholder Engagement

• Central Europe and other underserved areas were flagged as needing additional support. Suggestions included leveraging local resources and exploring partnerships to close these gaps.
• Participants identified the need to improve user engagement and tailor climate products to meet diverse needs, especially in less-resourced regions.

4. Experimental Products and Innovations

• Innovations such as sea ice and biometeorological indices were recognized for their potential to enhance seasonal outlooks.
• Initiatives like the ASPECT Project and Climate Europe 2 were identified as instrumental in developing seamless climate predictions.

The forum featured a survey to gather feedback on user needs, satisfaction, and priorities for climate services. Responses revealed strong interest in improved access to real-time data, enhanced visualization tools, and expanded training opportunities. Regional variations in needs highlighted the importance of tailoring solutions to local contexts. For a detailed analysis of the survey results, visit: Milestone Achieved: Key Insights from the RA VI RCC User Forum Survey | World Meteorological Organization

Participants called for better coordination to reduce duplication of efforts and streamline operations across RCCs and RCOFs. The forum underscored the benefits of in-person gatherings for networking and collaboration, with future meetings planned to transition back to physical formats. The RCC coordination team committed to outlining specific follow-up steps to address the identified gaps and priorities. The RA VI Forum reaffirmed its dedication to enhancing climate services through collaboration, innovation, and stakeholder engagement. By building on these discussions, the forum aims to create a stronger foundation for addressing regional and global climate challenges. For further updates and detailed follow-up actions, stay connected.