The 24th ESCAP/WMO* Typhoon Committee Attachment Training course was held at JMA Headquarters from 14 to 23 January 2025.

In its role as a Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre (RSMC), the Tokyo – Typhoon Center has organized ESCAP/WMO Typhoon Committee Attachment Training annually since 2001 with the support of the WMO Tropical Cyclone Programme and the Typhoon Committee in order to advance the tropical cyclone (TC) analysis and forecasting capacity of Typhoon Committee Members. The course is set under the Category 2 Unit of Tropical Cyclone Forecast Competency as specified by the Typhoon Committee Region specifications in the Typhoon Committee Operational Manual (TOM). The course was held both in person and online with attendees from seven Typhoon Committee Members (China, Hong Kong (China), Lao PDR, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea, Thailand and Vietnam), four from the Panel on Tropical Cyclones (PTC) (Bangladesh, Republic of Maldives, Oman and Pakistan), and online participants.

At the opening session, Dr. Ishihara Koji (head of the Tokyo Typhoon Center) spoke about the 2024 typhoon season, during which several tropical cyclones posed multiple hazards affecting public activity. The speech underlined the importance of understanding typhoons, using cutting-edge technology (such as meteorological satellites and numerical weather prediction resources), sharpening TC forecast skills, and promoting the application of expertise assimilated in training to reduce TC-related damage in the Asia-Pacific region.

The course was enriched with hands-on training for interactive learning of satellite analysis techniques and Dvorak analysis. Dr. Miyamoto Mamoru from the International Centre for Water Hazard and Risk Management under the auspices of UNESCO gave a presentation on flood forecasting, and Dr. Gerald Potutan from the Asian Disaster Reduction Center spoke about disaster risk reduction. RSMC New Delhi also gave a presentation titled An Introduction to the South Asian Monsoon and TCs over the Indian Ocean. To enhance understanding of coastal hazards associated with tropical cyclones, a presentation on storm surges and high waves was given by a JMA expert. This also contributed to the activities of the WMO Regional Association II (RA II) Expert Team on Marine Services (ET-MS) under the Working Group on Weather, Climate, Water and Related Environmental Services and Applications (WG Services).

The interaction provided valuable opportunities to discuss experience and expertise in TC forecasting and warning operations, and related attempts to further enhance public awareness of the relevant dangers.

RSMC Tokyo remains committed to its vital roles for capacity building in the Asia-Pacific region to mitigate the impacts of hazardous tropical cyclones.

^* United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific/World Meteorological Organization