The Observatory Launched WMO Website for Development of New Terminal Forecast

The Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) launched a website (http://www.ntf.weather.gov.hk) for the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) to promulgate the work of an expert team under WMO to develop the new terminal forecast, to introduce prototype products to aviation users, and to collect user's feedback. The launch of the website was also reported in the August 2008 issue of the WMO newsletter "MeteoWorld" available at: http://www.wmo.int/pages/publications/meteoworld/wmoactivities_en.html.

This expert team was set up by the Commission for Aeronautical Meteorology of WMO to develop proposals for a new terminal weather forecast based on the advance in meteorological science in recent years, with a view to supplementing the existing conventional aerodrome forecast. It is expected that the new terminal forecast will facilitate airport and air traffic management authorities in effectively mitigating the impact of weather to flights, thereby enhancing aviation safety and efficiency. The Observatory, representing Hong Kong, China, is one of the core members of the expert team. Other core members include Australia, Canada, China, France, and USA.

Based on airlines' feedback during a survey on the new terminal forecast, the website was set up to provide prototype products, currently including:

(a) the Aviation-weather Disaster Risk Reduction (ADRR) product developed by HKO, as a demonstration of extended tropical cyclone forecast for aviation application; and

(b) Collaborative Decision Making (CDM) products for the Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport developed by Meteo France, as a demonstration of tailored weather forecasts for airport operation and air traffic management.

Further prototype products are expected to be launched by the other expert team members on the website.