Climate Change Resilience
A meeting that will continue to refine the Tropical Cyclone Warning System currently in place will be hosted by the Government of Samoa, from 16 – 20 July in Apia.
The 14th session of the Regional Association Five (RA V) Tropical Cyclone Committee for the South Pacific and South-East Indian Ocean meets biennially to discuss and improve tropical cyclone warning system matters within the Pacific Ocean south of the equator.
Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) Meteorology and Climate Adviser Mr Neville Koop said one of the most interesting aspects of the meeting will be reviewing past cyclone events and where appropriate retiring the names of particularly destructive tropical cyclones.
"Generally those cyclones which have led to loss of life and/or significant will have their name removed from the active list of tropical cyclone names and replaced by one from the standby list."
Severe tropical cyclone YASI seen intensifying over the Coral Sea on 1 February 2011; Having moved over northern Vanuatu where it caused widespread damage, TC Yasi quickly strengthened in to a Category 5 strength cyclone and maintained this intensity until it struck the coast of Queensland two days later. Yasi will likely be one of the names retired at the coming Meeting in Samoa.Names for cyclones generally alternate between male and female, with three lists active and one standby list. As names are removed and replaced by one from the stand by list the committee must agree on a new name for the replacement list. Countries are each asked to propose names and after discussion a new name, or names, will be agreed upon for the list.
The committee coordinates the communication of tropical cyclone information both within the region and between its region and neighbouring regions. It supports training and development of tropical cyclone forecasters including the sharing of knowledge and experience between member countries.
SPREP will participate in this meeting, and report on its activities supporting the development of technical and human resources within meteorological services in the region.
Mr Koop who will be representing the Secretariat says that this support is crucial in the continuing quest to ensure that each meteorological service in the region has the necessary competency to advise and warn their own populations whenever tropical cyclones threaten our region.
The meet is organised by the World Meteorology Organisation whose key role is setting the standards and definitions used in observing and warning for tropical cyclones, and to review the role and function of the Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre in Nadi.
The Tropical Cyclone Committee comprises members of the south west Pacific region within the RA V of the World Meteorology Organisation.
Member countries include Australia, New Zealand, Cook Islands, Fiji, Tonga, Niue, Kiribati, Samoa, Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea. France is a member by virtue of their responsibilities for provision of warning services in New Caledonia, French Polynesia, and Wallis and Futuna, while the United States of America playing a similar role with American Samoa.
For more information contact SPREP Meteorology and Climate Adviser Neville Koop at [email protected]