Pacific Islands Climate Outlook Forum (PICOF 8)

 Virtual (via Zoom) Meeting on 21 April 2020

 

Overall objective: Produce consensus-based, user-relevant climate outlook guidance in real time to reduce climate-related risks and support sustainable development for the coming season for the Pacific Island region.

 

The specific objectives of PICOF 8 include the following:

1. To present and summarise the climate and ocean observations in the last six months and model outlooks for the next six months;
2. To compare forecast guidance for the Pacific region and discuss how these are produced in terms of accuracy, utility, weaknesses and strengths;
3. To build collaboration and partnerships among NMHSs, regional organisations and scientific institutions;
4. To continue capacity building/human resource development activities for the Pacific region, particularly in seasonal prediction;
5. To provide a platform for the NMHSs to share and exchange experiences and knowledge on climate and ocean services in the Pacific region.

 

Expected Outcomes:

1. Improved understanding of the drivers of Pacific Island climate and including the climate and ocean state in the last six months;
2. Improved understanding of climate, ocean and tropical cyclone outlooks for the next six months;
3. Regional statement summarising the ENSO state, tropical cyclone, climate and ocean patterns from November 2020 and outlooks for these variables to October 2021.

 

Proposed Timeline for PICOF Statement development

 

Monday 15 March 2021: Pacific NMSs notified of upcoming virtual PICOF April 2021

Friday 16 April 2021: Deadline for consortium members to send content to the node lead/co-leads to include in the PowerPoint presentations.

Monday 19 April 2021: Deadline for PowerPoint presentations to be send to the PICS panel secretariat to be circulated to PICS panel members and PICOF participants.

Wednesday 21 April 2021: Virtual PICOF April 2021 teleconference held (see proposed agenda below).

Friday 23 April 2021: Final draft of the PICOF statement sent to the PMC members for approval, deadline for responses Wednesday 28 April 2021.

Thursday 29 April 2021: Virtual PICOF April 2021 Statement released