The second session of WMO/CIMO ET-OpMet (chaired by Drago Groselj) was held at the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) headquarters from 27 to 30 November 2017. At the event, 12 experts from 9 WMO Members, the Association of Hydro-Meteorological Equipment Industry (HMEI) and the WMO Secretariat discussed ways to improve training on calibration techniques needed for WMO Members, strengthen Regional Instrument Centre (RIC) activities and update the CIMO Guide.
A major discussion point was the handling of the Minamata Convention on Mercury, which restricts the use of this element. As this consideration affects all WMO Members, WMO has encouraged an urgent switch from mercury-based instruments to alternative technologies. Against this background, discussions at the session focused on necessary changes and other upgrades to the CIMO Guide and its recommended meteorological observation standards. An exhibition provided by Japanese meteorological instrument manufacturers during discussion intervals provided opportunities to observe cutting-edge technologies in the field.
A visit by the attendees to RIC Tsukuba at JMA’s Meteorological Instrument Center on the afternoon of 28 November gave a chance to ask a variety of questions and learn about the Agency’s traceability and calibration methods.
