RSMC Nadi Activity Report RSMC Technical Coordination Meeting 26th – 29th November 2002, Nadi Fiji

SW Pacific

RSMC Nadi AOR

Vision To be a regional leader in meteorological science and expertise, and in the provision of quality weather and climate services.

Mission To provide meteorological expertise and professional services in support of Fiji’s economic development, and for the safety and benefit of the community. To deliver quality forecast, warning and advisory services to the South Pacific Island Nations and Territories falling within FMS’s area of responsibility.

Objectives to satisfy Fiji’s need for supply of weather and climatological data, archive and analyse this data, and based on this, issue forecasts, warnings and other information as required; to function as a RSMC for tropical cyclones in the Southwest Pacific under the WWW Programme of WMO. to monitor the climate of Fiji and advise on any changes due to global warming and other factors; to provide public/marine forecast and warning services for other South Pacific Island States as agreed; to provide marine and aviation forecast and warning services as per international agreement; and

Organisation & Resources FMS has 2 main output Divisions : Forecast Services and Climate Services. There are 6 support Divisions : Computing and Information Systems Technical Systems Reporting & Facilities Services Development Finance and Administration.

Weather Forecasting Centre Incorporates…. National Weather Forecasting and Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre. Regional Forecast Centre. Regional Specialised Meteorological Centre Nadi – Tropical Cyclone Centre.

Public and Marine Services Public and Marine for Fiji, Tonga, Niue, Cook Islands, Tuvalu, Tokelau, Kiribati, Nauru and Wallis & Futuna. Special Advisory Services for Vanuatu and Samoa. TD Summaries to all NMSs in the region and beyond (RSMC function). International marine forecasts and warnings for area from Eqtr to 25ºS between 160 º E to 120 º W.

Aviation Services Forecasts and warnings within Nadi FIR (TAFs, ARFORs, ROFORs and SIGMETs). In addition, TAFs and ARFORs for , Samoa, Tonga, Niue and Cooks (Auckland Oceanic) plus TAFs only for Christmas island (US-controlled). TC Advisories for International Air Navigation in area Eqtr to 40ºS bet 160ºE and 120ºW.

Tropical Cyclone Services Forecasts, Warnings and Advisory Services for Fiji, Tonga, Niue, Cook Islands, Tuvalu, Tokelau, Kiribati, Nauru and Wallis & Futuna. Special Advisory Services for Vanuatu and Samoa. TD Advisories/Summaries to all NMSs in the region and beyond. International marine warnings for area from Eqtr to 25ºS between 160 º E to 120 º W. CREX to NWP Centres

RSMC Nadi AOR Geostationary Satellite Coverage GOES-10 135ºW GMS-5 140ºE

Fleet Numerical Meteorology & Oceanography Center, Monterey Website

CIMSS Website

MOST Website - Quikscat

BoM – Darwin RSMC Website

SW Pac TC Forecasting Page

Strike Probability Website

SH Satellite Page

ADDS & Aviation Pages

AOR TC activity since 1990

RSMC Nadi Forecast Errors

Plans AIFS TC Module to be integrated into FIMS Storm Surge Model Collaboration with Climate Services on seasonal TC activity predictions Partnership with Hydrology Division on comprehensive flood warning system for Fiji

HRD WMO SH TC Course and PWS Workshops – 2000 & 2002 TC Simulation Exercise/Workshop - 2000 Mentor Training – 2001 2-month Internships – Honolulu FO - 2001 Locally conducted courses for Classes 3 and 4 Mets – in collaboration with WMO and JICA Exchange/attachments with other RSMCs/TCWCs

Challenges Professional staff retention. Automation. Government policies. Un-interrupted geostationary satellite coverage. Commercial services. Research.

Future Plans Access and utilise data from new platforms - in collaboration with the international research community (eg NRL, CIMSS, NOAA) on data retrieval and use. Exchange with RSMCs and TCWCs on expertise, tools and techniques