The life-saving importance of the ability to predict severe weather was raised again last week with the slamming of the United States' coast by a record-breaking hurricane. This issue will be highlighted on 23-24 October 2017 at the international seminar, "Use of Radio Spectrum for Meteorology: Weather, Water and Climate Monitoring and Prediction" hosted in Geneva by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the United Nations' specialized agency for information and communication technology, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
The seminar is designed to advance the use and further development of radio-based space and terrestrial systems and applications employed for weather, water and climate monitoring and relevant radio-frequency spectrum management activities. It also aims to increase awareness among national meteorological and hydrological services (NMHS) of the importance of meteorological-related spectrum protection – and the growing need for NMHS participation in national and international spectrum management activities.
Spectrum managers and state telecom administrators will also be provided with an overview of contemporary meteorological applications' use of radio spectrum and their future development. The socio-economic importance of these services within the context of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals will also be raised.
The first day will be dedicated to discussions about ITU's role in the international spectrum management system through the ITU-Radiocommunication Bureau (ITU-R); the main principles of spectrum management (e.g. the quadrennial
World Radiocommunication Conferences, ITU-R activities,
Radio Regulations, registration principles), and
ITU-R Study Groups – with a particular focus on
Study Group 7 and its Science Services activities.
The WMO's integrated global observing system will also be discussed as well as WMO's socio-economic value and the essential role of radio frequencies. WMO's meteorological satellite, data collection platforms, and modern applications (future outlooks) will also be featured.
The seminar's second day will focus on: active and passive sensing; current threats and future developments of meteorological radars; met aids (e.g. lightning, radiosondes, space weather) and will conclude with a discussion on the related issues to be addressed during the
WRC 2019 and future WRC 2023 issues.
The seminar will also feature the new 2017 edition of the
WMO/ITU Handbook on the Use of Radio Spectrum for Meteorology: Weather, Water and Climate Monitoring and Prediction
This Handbook covers the timely warning of natural and environmental disasters and accurate climate prediction through the use of radiocommunication systems.
Other important recent radiocommunications tools and resources produced by ITU-R include:
This event will be webcast live at:
bit.ly/ITU-Rwebcasts
More info about this seminar is available at:
bit.ly/ITU-WMOseminar2
Media Note:
Media may register to attend this event. Please send an email to:
ITU-R-Communications@itu.int with a copy to
pressreg@itu.int.
Leading national and international experts and officials will be taking part
– see full list and bios.
