World Meteorological Organization

Numerical Weather Prediction cooperation amongst South-East European Countries 

The second phase of the South-East European Multi-Hazard Early Warning Advisory System (SEE-MHEWS-A) project will see the implementation of a pilot hydrological modelling system, embedded in a numerical weather prediction (NWP) system to form the basis of an operational regional advisory system.

NWP teams from the Slovenian Environment Agency, Croatian Meteorological and Hydrological Service, Hellenic National Meteorological Service, Israel Meteorological Service and University of Belgrade are jointly working to set up a modelling system with four high-resolution, quasi-operational models that will cover an extended area around South-East Europe including parts of the Middle East. The models will be run by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) and outputs will be available for all 17 partner countries of the project.This work will significantly improve the availability of meteorological forecasting products to support forecast and warning provisions with shorter lead-times in the region. Hydrological models and nowcasting systems that will be set up for a pilot river catchment during phase II of the project will also benefit from the outputs of the NWP models.

Technical assistance to the SEE-MHEWS-A project is provided with financial support from the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR) and the European Union, the latter under the EU-WB/GFDRR Western Balkans DRM Program managed by the World Bank and GFDRR.

                                    
                                  Figure: ALADIN model domain for SEE-MHEWS-A

Coastal Inundation Forecasting in Fiji

The Coastal Inundation Forecasting Demonstration Project (CIFDP) for Fiji, currently funded by the Korean Meteorological Administration is implementing an integrated approach to storm surge, wave and riverine flood forecasting to improve operational forecasts and warnings capability for coastal communities. It supports the National Meteorological and Disaster Management Services in developing and implementing reliable forecasting and warning services, and in using forecast products operationally to inform national decision-making for coastal inundation management.  

All components of the Fiji CIFDP are now in full operational mode at the Fiji Meteorological Service (FMS), however, incremental improvements are being made. When Severe Tropical Cyclone Harold threaten in April, for the first time ever during a cyclone, the FMS could issue wave and storm surge warnings – enabled by its new, unique, coastal inundation forecasting system. A new WMO video is raising community awareness of the value of this critical ocean infrastructure for their safety and livelihoods. 

Mr. Misaeli Funaki, Director of FMS, stated, “The new coastal inundation forecasting system enabled the accurate recording of wave and storm surge magnitude, and sound numerical model guidance for storm surge and waves led to timely forecasts and formed the basis of successful evacuation warnings to vulnerable communities during Tropical Cyclone Harold, which minimized fatalities from such a devastating and life threatening storm.” 

The Honorable Jone Usamate, Fiji Minister for Infrastructure, Disaster Management, Land and Mineral Resources and Meteorological Services said, “The innovative work in Fiji Meteorological Service, had enabled better planning and sound decisions prior to and during the advent of Severe Tropical Cyclone Harold.” 

Flood and drought management in West Africa

This month, the first version of a transboundary VOLTALARM Early Warning System (EWS) Platform will roll out to stakeholders in the Volta River Basin region. Its high exposure to water-related disasters and climate variability coupled with its low adaptive capacity makes the Volta Basin one of the most vulnerable regions to disaster risks in West Africa, thus, this system promises to yield substantial benefits for the region. VOLTALARM is one of the first deliverable of a WMO project funded by the Adaptation Fund. 

The National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs)  of Benin, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Mali and Togo identified the implementation of integrated water resources management strategies and the development of risk maps and Early Warning Systems (EWS) as priorities to increase resilience and ensure sustainable development in the region. 
                                         
                                           

WMO, in partnership with the Volta Basin Authority and the Global Water Partnerships (GWP)-West Africa, with the support of the NMHSs of the six riparian countries developed and submitted a regional climate adaptation project proposal covering these aspects to the Adaptation Fund. The proposal, for US$ 7.92 million, was endorsed by the Adaptation Fund Board for implementation over a four-year period beginning in October 2018. 
 
At the project's inception, national consultation meetings were held with stakeholders in the six countries to understand current capabilities and needs for the End-to-End Early Warning System for floods and drought. This led to the development of an action plan to establish a transboundary VOLTALARM EWS platform – fully integrated with existing information and products for floods and drought management.