The 17th ESCAP/WMO Typhoon Committee Attachment Training 2017 course was held at JMA Headquarters from 11 to 21 December 2017.

The RSMC Tokyo — Typhoon Center has organized ESCAP/WMO Typhoon Committee Attachment Training courses every year since 2001 with the support of the WMO Tropical Cyclone Programme and the Typhoon Committee in order to advance the tropical cyclone forecasting capacity of Committee Members. Forecasters from the Member countries of the Panel on Tropical Cyclones have also been invited since 2015 to enhance training collaboration between the Panel and the Committee. The 2017 attendees were Ms. Sze-ning Chong from Hong Kong, Ms. Junjuda Pornsri from Thailand, Ms. Trang Quynh Tran from Viet Nam, Mr. Md Omar Faruq from Bangladesh, Mr. Abdulla Hafiz Abdul Sattar Ali from Maldives, and Dr. Tin Mar Htay from Myanmar.

The training focused on practical knowledge and skills related to operational tropical cyclone analysis and forecasting via lectures and exercises using the Satellite Analysis and Viewer Program (SATAID). The course covered a range of subjects including Dvorak analysis, interpretation of microwave imagery, and storm surge forecasting. Presentations and exercises were also provided on public weather services, including the setting of warning criteria based on quantitative precipitation estimation and forecasting techniques, and forecast skill evaluation, to enhance capacity in the development and implementation of effective warning systems in collaboration with disaster risk reduction operators. All attendees gave presentations to help JMA staff understand the current status of their meteorological and hydrological services including tropical cyclone forecasting and warning services.