Observation data from radar and meteorological satellites are particularly essential for the disaster risk reduction activities of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) in Southeast Asia. Against such a background, special focus is placed on the development of a weather radar network in the region and application techniques for data from Himawari-8/9 and other meteorological satellites. In this context, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) held technical meetings on considerations relating to a regional weather radar network for Southeast Asia (22 – 26 October 2018) and Himawari-8/9 Rapidly Developing Cumulus Area (RDCA) products (22 – 25 October 2018) at its headquarters with support from the ESCAP/WMO Typhoon Committee and WMO.
1. Technical meeting on a regional weather radar network for Southeast Asia
The meeting was attended by weather radar experts from the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD), the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MMD), the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology (DMH) of Lao PDR and the Viet Nam Meteorological Hydrological Administration (VNMHA) as well as expert observers from the United Arab Emirates' National Center of Meteorology (NCM). To expand on the regional radar network run by TMD, MMD and JMA, attendees exchanged information on experiences and challenges relating to regional radar data exchanges and quality control, and discussed future directions in the field. An agreement on a need for focus on proactive recruitment of contributors and pursuit of individual technical development was reached.
The summary report is available at
http://www.jma.go.jp/jma/en/photogallery/meeting2018/Report_radarmeeting2018.pdf
2. Technical meeting on Himawari-8/9 Rapidly Developing Cumulus Area (RDCA) products
Meteorological satellite experts from MMD attended the meeting. JMA works on meteorological satellite products with NMHSs in Southeast Asia to develop data utilization techniques, especially for RDCA identification using Himawari-8/9 observation data. During the meeting, MMD and JMA exchanged information on recent progress and ideas for advanced products in the field. Further discussion led to an action plan for future collaborative development.
The summary report is available at
http://www.jma.go.jp/jma/en/photogallery/meeting2018/Report_HimawariRDCAmeeting.pdf
3. Joint session of the two meetings
Attendees at the two meetings met at a joint session in light of the potential for combined use of weather radar and satellite data to create more effective products in the future. At the session, a JMA expert and an invited expert from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) presented a multi-satellite rainfall product known as Global Satellite Mapping of Precipitation (GSMaP). All attendees recognized the benefits of combining weather radar and satellite observation.
