Train the Thunderstorm Trainer Course Constanta, Romania, from 1 to 5 September 2008

Objectives

To improve disaster management by assisting local NMHSs to develop capacity by improving thunderstorm forecasting and monitoring:
 through upgraded knowledge, skills and resources of trainers
 developing a network of trainers and experts
 developing a free library of case studies

Participants

Trainers responsible for thunderstorm forecaster training from National Meteorological and Hydrological Services from Europe.

Prerequisite skills of participants:
 working in forecasting
 basic knowledge of convective storms forecasting
 training responsibilities
 basic computing skills
 English fluency Please note that the course is in English and will require intensive interaction.

Course Content and Style

The style of the course will be based on modern educational practices and will involve active participation of attendees through many hands-on activities. In particular, training case studies (hail, downburst, flash flood) will be developed by the participants under guidance of the lecturers. Case study data will be provided but participants are welcome to bring their own cases by negotiation with the organisers. The course will be conducted in English.

Participants will have access to all necessary data for the case studies, including data from dense radar and lightning networks as well as satellite imagery, surface and upper air observations, NWP, etc.

Real-time data will also be available to enable monitoring of any interesting situations that develop during the workshop.

Funding

Romania would provide accommodation for participants, local transport, training facilities, computer access and training materials. Meals can be provided at low cost (around 150 Euros for all the duration) by NMA. Transportation should be covered by the participants or their Met Services (there are some limited funds for participants from SE Europe through WMO, for air fares). There is a limited number of places, with a priority for countries from SE Europe.

Course Presenters

The course presenters have previously worked together on multiple occasions (WMO, Romanian and Australian courses) and will provide a unified team approach. All are currently active in international Nowcasting, radar and training working groups. They have the flexibility to adjust the course to participants’ evolving needs. Dr Aurora Stan-Sion, Head of the Laboratory of Nowcasting Techniques, National Meteorological Administration (NMA), Romania, has conducted extensive international thunderstorm and Nowcasting training.

 Roger Deslandes, Head of the Curriculum Training and Development Group at the Australian Bureau of Meteorology Training Centre, has led the Bureau’s competency based severe weather training program, including thunderstorms and a major radar upgrade.
 Dr Ian Bell, retired from the Australian Bureau of Meteorology, is a renowned international meteorological trainer with 35 years experience, including numerous World Meteorological Organization “train the trainer” courses, the facilitation of four WWRP Nowcasting courses and many other training events (including Public Weather services and Aviation Services).

Further information

Further information may be obtained by contacting Aurora Bell:

[email protected], [email protected], [email protected]

Application to attend

Please complete and send the Nomination Form to Romania for consideration as soon as possible and in any case not later than 18 July 2008. Apply to:

[email protected], [email protected], [email protected]