ACCOF-13

About ACCOF

The African Centre of Meteorological Applications and Development (ACMAD) as the continental WMO designated Regional Climate Centre (RCC) for Africa is organizing as part of its RCC coordination function, the thirteenth session of Africa Continental Climate Outlook Forum (ACCOF-13).

This forum provides continental climate outlook and improves capacity amongst WMO designated and developing Regional Climate Centres (RCCs) to regionalize climate services from WMO Global Producing Centres (GPCs). It is also a platform for technical discussions and exchanges on latest advances in climate science and technology, interregional interactions within Africa and between Africa and other WMO Regional Associations, review and verification of the seasonal climate outlook for the most recent past season across the continent.

FORUM OBJECTIVES :

The specific objectives of the meeting are to:

• Review and verify forecasts for the MAM, AMJ and MJJ 2023 climate season
• Discuss the current evolution of the El-Niño episode and other drivers of climate variability as well as their impacts on the upcoming seasons ASO, SON and OND 2023 periods across the continent and develop consensus climate forecasts continental for the ASOND 2023 season;
• Integrate and harmonize verification methods, tools and products between the continental and sub-regional levels;
• Ensure consistency of forward-looking statements at regional and continental levels;
• Strengthen the interregional network of cross-border risk management centers;
• Obtain user feedback on the impacts of El Nino on the ASOND 2023 seasonal climate.

EXPECTED OUTCOME :

• Continental and Regional MAMJJ 2023 seasonal forecasts reviewed and verified;
• Climate Outlook Statement for the upcoming season prepared and published;
• Verification and outlook products integrated and harmonized between continental and regional levels;
• Methodologies, data and tools for seasonal forecasting and verification normalized through Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs);
• Sectors potential hazards, risk events and impacts/consequences for ASOND 2023 season identified and user feedback on the impacts of ASOND 2023 outlook documented.