TRCG Technical Forum at Jeju

29 May 2009

Despite the hovering H1N1 flu threat, the Hong Kong Observatory rendered great support to the firstTyphoon Committee'sTraining and Research Coordination Group (TRCG) Technical Forum which was successfully held in Jeju Island, Republic of Korea on 12 - 15 May 2009. Mr. Edwin S.T. Lai, Senior Scientific Officer of the Hong Kong Observatory and Chairperson of TRCG, took the lead in organizing the Forum, generously hosted and sponsored by the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) with additional funding support from the World Meteorological Organization and the Typhoon Committee Trust Fund. More than 30 participants from 13 Typhoon Committee Members gathered at Jeju for the event. From the Observatory, Ms. Li Yuet-Sim, Scientific Officer, and Mr. Wong Chau-Ping, Experimental Officer, took part in the Forum in their respective roles as system developer and operational forecaster.

The Forums theme focused on the development and application of ensemble prediction systems and multi-model information in the formulation of deterministic consensus and probabilistic forecasts with respect to tropical cyclones. The discussion topics, in the form of lectures as well as practical sessions, provided a unique platform for operational forecasters and system developers to interact and share experience, including the increasing use of automated operational tools such as the HKOs Typhoon Information Processing Systems (TIPS).

The TRCG Technical Forum, to be held every four years, aims to promote the exchange of knowledge and technology relating to the forecasting and mitigation of tropical cyclone impact among Typhoon Committee Members and to facilitate the planning of future training and research activities managed or overseen by TRCG.

Visit to the Korea National Typhoon Center in Jeju
on 13 May 2009 during the 1st TRCG Technical Forum.

Mr. Edwin S.T. Lai speaking at the Opening Ceremony
of the 1st TRCG Technical Forum.

Ms. Li Yuet-Sim and Mr. Wong Chau-Ping (seated) working with KMA instructor during a demonstration session at the Korea National Typhoon Center in Jeju.