RA II Pilot Project

Background

Note: the RA II Pilot project Product Links can be found here (Also accessible via the right hand menu)

The 14th session of WMO Regional Association II (XIV-RA II), held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan from 5 to 11 December 2008, adopted a resolution to establish a pilot project for the development of support for National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) in the areas of satellite data, products and training. After the session, the WMO Secretariat invited WMO Members to join the Pilot Project Coordinating Group, whose members as of 31 May 2011 are Japan (Co-coordinator), the Republic of Korea (Co-coordinator), Bahrain, China, Hong Kong – China, India, Kyrgyzstan, Maldives, Oman, Pakistan, the Russian Federation, Uzbekistan, Vietnam and, as an observer, EUMETSAT.

Mission

This project was established as a kind of self-help effort for NMHSs in RA II to make satellite-related information flow better. The major focus of the initiative is to facilitate the timely provision of satellite-related information by satellite operators themselves to users, i.e., NMHSs in RA II, especially developing countries including LDCs. As other activities are ongoing such as the Virtual Laboratory (VLab), we need to create synergy for greater benefits and efficiency, avoiding duplication of effort.

The first-phase action plan of the RA-II pilot project from September 2009 through August 2010 included:

Issuance of bi-monthly newsletters for RA II members
Establishment of pilot project web pages on the WMO Space Programme website (hosted by WMO SP)
Creation of two mailing lists: for RA II members and for Coordinating Group members
Identification of requirements through the above activities and by preparing for a survey of RA II members in order to organize assistance to recipient members
Alignment of pilot project activities with VLab activities to optimize assistance to NMHSs in RA II
Development of a second-phase work plan by summer 2010

The Second-phase action plan of the RA-II pilot project from September 2010 through August 2011 includes:

Issuance of quarterly newsletters for RA II Members
Enhancement of Pilot Project Web Pages on the WMO Space Programme website (hosted by WMO SP)
Enhancement of the mailing lists for RA II Members and for Coordinating Group members
Identification of requirements from RA II Members through the web-based RA II Pilot Project questionnaire system with a computerized answer sheet in order to organize assistance to recipient Members
Alignment of pilot project activities with VLab activities to optimize assistance to NMHSs in RA II
Creation of a third-phase work plan by summer 2011

Illustration 1: RA II Pilot Project

Coordination Group

Illustration 2: Coordination Group

A Meeting of the Coordinating Group of the RA II Pilot Project to Develop Support for NMHSs in Satellite Data, Products and Training was held in Tokyo, Japan, from 21-23 February 2011.

RA II Pilot Project Newsletter

The newsletter is aimed at sharing the latest satellite-related information in areas such as imagery, data, products and training, including:
- Access to satellite imagery, data and products including application products
- Training activities currently available or planned
- News on meteorological satellites
- News on new services
- Progress reports on the Pilot Project
- Introduction to activities of other RAs and the WMO VLab

We look forward to receiving your contributions to the newsletter!

Articles from satellite operators or from any RA II Member are welcome, regardless of whether they are registered as members of the Pilot Project Coordinating Group or not. Topics could include, for example, satellite-related activities, such as how Members have used satellite data to improve weather/climate products.

RA II Pilot Project Web Questionnaire

The demand from NMHS users for more reliable and user-friendly satellite-derived information for the mitigation and prevention of disasters has been increasing. The RA II Pilot Project questionnaire on satellite data utilization by RA II Members is a web-based survey system on the status of the availability and use of satellite data and products. It contributes to improving satellite data utilization.