Anahit Hovsepyan Climate Research Division Armstatehydromet

ARMENIA IN BRIEF Armenia is situated in the north- eastern part of Armenian plateau The lowest altitude is about 370m a.s.l., the highest point is 4095m (M. Aragats) The total territory of the country km2 Geographical location of Armenia, complex mountain relief have conditioned the diversity of natural conditions across the country. 11/05/20102 Second WMO/MEDARE International Workshop, Nicosia Cyprus

Armenia: IN BRIEF The climate is dry, the annual average precipitation amounts to 592mm, with the range of mm. 5-7 April, 2011 WMO Wrokshop on Strategyfor Implementation of CSIS, WMO, Geneva3 Annual average temperature is C, with minimum recorded temperature of C, and maximum recorded 43 0 C.

5-7 April, 2011 WMO Wrokshop on Strategyfor Implementation of CSIS, WMO, Geneva4 Hydrometeorological hazards in Armenia Drought Drought Heat/cold wave Heat/cold wave Hail Hail Spring Frost Spring Frost Strong wind Strong wind Heavy Rainfall Heavy Rainfall Flood Flood Avalanche Avalanche

Armstatehydromet: Evolution of observation network First observations started in 1843 in Gyumri and in 1844 in Yerevan Highest number of stations 77 was in 1972 Until 1935 two times per day observations Until times From times 11/05/2010 Second WMO/MEDARE International Workshop, Nicosia Cyprus5

Current network Consists of 47 meteorological stations 8 obs. per day 5 stations have time series for more than 100 years Those are unique in the region due to their location and duration. 12 stations are high-mountainous and located at the elevation over 2000 m above sea level, out of them 6 are remote and hard-to-reach stations. Aragats high-mountain (3229 m a.s.l.) established in 1929, It is the only station in the region, operating in the altitude more 3000m Aragats h/m included in the GSN. 11/05/2010 Second WMO/MEDARE International Workshop, Nicosia Cyprus6

FORECASTING ACTIVITIES Scale of forecasts Nowcasting Short range forecast Medium range forecast Monthly forecast Seasonal forecast Specialized forecasts Hydrological Agrometeorological 5-7 April, 2011 WMO Wrokshop on Strategyfor Implementation of CSIS, WMO, Geneva7

FORECASTING ACTIVITIES Data/Information used for weather forecasting Observation data Forecast maps (images) from UK MO, ECMWF, GFS, Roshydromet Satellite images from EUMETCAST Aerological measurements (diagrams, charts) Synoptic knowledge on dynamical processes Implementing WRF, HRM in experimental stage 5-7 April, 2011 WMO Wrokshop on Strategyfor Implementation of CSIS, WMO, Geneva8

CLIMATE SERVICES 5-7 April, 2011 WMO Wrokshop on Strategyfor Implementation of CSIS, WMO, Geneva9

5-7 April, 2011 WMO Wrokshop on Strategyfor Implementation of CSIS, WMO, Geneva10 RAVI RCC node on climate monitoring Input to: Annual bulletin on the climate in WMO RAVI BAMS State of the Climate ECA&D ECSM GPCC T2m from NCEP-NCAR Reanalysis Precip. CAMS-OPI

5-7 April, 2011 WMO Wrokshop on Strategyfor Implementation of CSIS, WMO, Geneva11 Satellite derived products Satellite Application Facility on Climate Monitoring (CM-SAF) DWD provides high quality data sets with high spatial resolution inter-comparison of satellite data with observed values for solar radiation and albedo, validation of CM-SAF products development and application of merging technique with surface data

Climate studies During last 80 years average temperature by 0.85° C and annual precipitation decreased by 6% in Armenia 5-7 April, 2011 WMO Wrokshop on Strategyfor Implementation of CSIS, WMO, Geneva12 Change of Summer days Precipitation changes Change of CDD

5-7 April, 2011 WMO Wrokshop on Strategyfor Implementation of CSIS, WMO, Geneva13 Climate change studies Involvement in preparation on National Communications: Development of climate change scenarios based on PRECIS outcomes under A2 Ability of models to reproduce regional climate features in South Caucasus (CMIP3 data) to identify suitable set of models analysis of spatial patterns, annual cycle, interannual variability

Need to enhance Armstatehydromet efforts and improve utilization of climate information for climate change adaptation methods, Need to support development and application of advanced climate products and strengthen institutional capacity of Armstatehydromet Strengthen capacities of relevant ministries, organizations, local government bureaus and communities in using the available climate information 5-7 April, 2011 WMO Wrokshop on Strategyfor Implementation of CSIS, WMO, Geneva14

Strengthen human capacities Educational level, scientific and technical qualifications of the staff do not fully meet the current requirements Technical capacities Most of the equipment needs to be modernized, softwares upgraded, automated Observation network to be upgraded significantly Implement new methodologies, models Develop Long Range Forecasting system Implement application models – agrometeorological, hydrological etc. 5-7 April, 2011 WMO Wrokshop on Strategyfor Implementation of CSIS, WMO, Geneva15 Gaps & Needs

International, regional cooperation, To establish an effective system of cross-border exchange of warnings among NMHSs, Timeliness, frequency, content, format and delivery to be specified between the NMHSs Cross-border exchanges of warnings should not be limited to relatively short-lived meteorological hazards To exchange for hazards of longer-time scale, such as heat, cold, wet or dry spells, drought etc 5-7 April, 2011 WMO Wrokshop on Strategyfor Implementation of CSIS, WMO, Geneva16

5-7 April, 2011 WMO Wrokshop on Strategyfor Implementation of CSIS, WMO, Geneva17