18 November 2009: The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) is holding the 15th quadrennial session of its Commission for Atmospheric Science, from 18-25 November 2009, in Incheon, Republic of Korea. Participants will discuss future international research to improve air quality forecasts and assessments, and seek to develop carbon-tracking tools for climate mitigation and adaptation.
Research over the past five years has significantly improved weather forecasting skills on all time scales. The WMO World Weather Research Programme seeks to improve weather forecasts on the short term (0 to 12 hours) through Nowcasting and Mesoscale research (warning of tornadoes and flash floods) and on the longer term (days to season) through THORPEX, an international research activity aimed at accelerating improvements in the accuracy of typhoon track prediction, high wind, storm surges and severe flooding.
Another recent advance is the WMO Sand and Dust Storm Warning Advisory and Assessment System, which is available to impacted populations. In addition, the WMO Global Atmosphere Watch and its national partners monitor and analyze change in the abundance of greenhouse gases and aerosols driving climate change. [WMO Press Release]