RA V OSCAR/Surface Webinar for Hydrology
About the RA V OSCAR/Surface for Hydrology Webinar
The RA V OSCAR/Surface for Hydrology Webinar has been scheduled for 30 September 2025.
This webinar is designed to raise awareness among Members on the importance of metadata management for effective observational networks, to introduce WIGOS tools such as OSCAR/Surface for hydrologists, and to explain the allocation of WIGOS Station Identifiers (WSIs).
We hope to raise awareness and establish initial engagement with hydrologists in the Association, to be followed by more detailed training later on.
Target Audience
• Hydrologists dealing with metadata management
• NFP on OSCAR/Surface
Key Objectives
• Raise aware of metadata management
• Introduce OSCAR/Surface and WSI
• Establish relations between NFPs on OSCAR/Surface and hydrological counterparts
Important Details
• Workshop Date: 30 September 2025
• Time: 02:00 - 04:00 UTC
Event Schedule
| Time (UTC) | Session | Speaker |
|---|---|---|
| 02:00-02:15 | Opening session
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| 02:15-02:50 | Introduction to WMO data systems |
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| 02:50-03:40 | OSCAR/Surface and WSI |
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| 03:40-04:00 | Closing session and Next steps
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Resources
Feedback
Thank you for your participation! We would greatly appreciate your feedback on the webinar
Q&A from the Webinar
Find responses to questions from the webinar
Why do VAACs not use autonomous drones to support the identification of volcanic activities and direction of volcanic ash?
+In general, VAACs do not have the capability to observe volcanoes directly. It is typically up to the national met service or relevant agency to deploy the drones (if any) for local monitoring. While VAAC Tokyo does not deploy drones, it is an interesting consideration for JMA.
Has there been any discussion on the requirement of SO2 information for the aviation committee within VAACs?
+While the aviation community is also interested in SO2 information, they are currently focused on QVA. IAVW has, since the last meeting, paused the discussion on SO2.
Amonth the methods used in satellite-based detection of volcanic ash clouds - namely thermal infrared channels, brightness temperature difference (TBD) technique, and RGB composite imagery - which method is considered more effective for operational use, and why? ?
+Depending on the situation; if available, RGB composite is able to quite clearly distinguish volcanic ash and meteorological cloud. Infrared channel is useful in the night when the visible channel is not available. Operators should check all channels so as to not miss volcanic ash
How does the evaluation result of volcanic ash distribution from QVA compare to observations?
+Tokyo VAAC compares its QVA forecast samples with the ash mass-loading on past actual events. QVA forecast works quite well in some cases but not always. There are large uncertainties in both QVA parameterization and ash mass-loading obtained from satellite analysis. The VAAC community is also seeking a common verification method for VAA and QVA.
How do you determine the height of a volcanic ash column when there is no height checkpoint?
+Plume height is mainly estimated by the brightness temperature of the cloud. Reports from observations and pilots are also important sources.
What is the update frequency for VAAC when a volcanic eruption occurs?
+At least every 6 hours.
Is there any possibility for non-VAACs to use QVA method, or QVA modelling tools? For example, in analytical use in volcanic research.
+THere are no plans at this stage but some institutes may publish a paper or document on QVA methods. QVA data for actual events are available in a similar way as VAA.
Can the dust model used by RSMC-ASDG Beijing be used for the distribution of radioactive clouds?
+The dust model is trained on dust observations and so, may not be applicable to radioactive clouds.
Can the dust model forecast used by RSMC-ASDG Beijing be used in Central and South Asia?
+Yes, the dust model is transferable to other parts of the world.
Is there a collaboration between Qatar and KSA dust storm center to support the forecasters and aeronautical operations?
+Yes as both are in a similar region in the Middle East and the transboundary nature of sand and dust storms.
How does HKO issue low-level wind shear warnings?
+HKO uses the doppler radar for monitoring wind shear conditions during microbursts and the LIDAR for clear air conditions. When large changes in the headwinds are detected, an automatic alert is issued.
How does HKO deal with wind direction/wind speed/wind gust forecast in terms of nowcasting? It was mentioned that there is work done in using ML for observed wind data using XBoost. In the process, does the nowcasting product output directly provide wind nowcast or do HKO forecasters have to derive it based on dBz movement or optical flow?
+The deep-learning model uses observed data for the nowcasting of westerly sea breezes only, as the prevailing wind condition in Hong Kong is easterly. For changes in prevailing wind conditions, airport operations are affected. Therefore, the nowcasting product is used primarily for the nowcasting of wind changes. The output produces a probability of wind change.