2010 Articles

Regional climate information for risk management: capabilities

Martinez, Rodney; Garanganga, Brad; Kamga, André; Luo, Yong; Mason, Simon J.; Pahalad, Janita; Rummukainen, Markku

A comprehensive review of regional capabilities to produce climate information for risk management around the world is done. Data access, quality control and the potential use of regional reanalyses is explained. Progress on seasonal forecast techniques, the increasing skill of statistical and dynamical methods and the challenges on dynamical downscaling and spatial resolution is presented. A comprehensive review of the progress of Regional Climate Outlook Forums around the world is done explaining the mutual learning process among providers and sectoral users, the opportunities created to develop better climate services for the disaster prevention and planning sectors, the lessons learnt and best practices. The potential of Regional Climate Centres (RCCs) to improve climate services is revised considering the experience of the formal RCCs and other centres working in different regions although not formally recognized as RCCs. Finally a detailed set of recommendations to enhance regional capabilities is listed.