Seasonal Forecast

"Seasonal Forecast Course Package T.O.P." is a set of online resources whose goal is to enhance knowledge in the theory of seasonal forecasting and operational use of seasonal climate forecasts.

The course package has two audiences. It can be used by national hydro-meteorological service staff members who wish to improve their climate services competencies or to specialise in seasonal forecasting. For this audience, the course package will provide theoretical and practical knowledge on seasonal forecast and predictability models, climate and data analysis, forecast verification, and specific application of seasonal forecast for agriculture and water management.

Required skill and knowledge

• Basic knowledge of the structure of the atmosphere, ranges of surface pressure and temperature

• Basic understanding of atmospheric dynamics and thermodynamics

• The general circulation of the atmosphere and oceans

• Weather analysis and forecasting

• Basic knowledge of remote sensing data

About this website

This website is an online training package developed by the WMO Regional Training Center Italy, Institute of Biometeorology, CNR-National Research Council Rome, Italy, based on a series face-to-face-to-face courses delivered from 2014-17, and provided via a structured website. This is a first step to facilitate further development of e-learning training courses. The materials and documentations here collected represent the building blocks of a course based on validated contents, user needs .

THE MODULES

T.O.P. Seasonal Forecast Training is focused on topics grouped into modules that cover the main subject matter related to seasonal forecasting. One additional module is a tutorial on how to use R Statistical software and Climate Data Library IRI.