About the International Desks

Historical Background: In 1989 the meteorological services of Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay requested assistance from the U.S. National Weather Service in coping with a devastating drought. They asked that an operational element be set up at the NMC (now NCEP) to concentrate on model interpretation and performance over South America. Although initially intended as short term assistance, the favorable results and comments from the original cadre of meteorologists led to the establishment of the South American Desk. In 1992 the mission was expanded to cover the Caribbean Basin countries and Mexico as well.

The emphasis of the training program is on the operational use and application of numerical model products. During the training, the visiting fellows are exposed to a broad spectrum of meteorological products, and analysis and forecasting techniques. The allied meteorological services currently have very limited access to some of the numerical data. However, advances in satellite communications will bring them full access to these products in the very near future. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) sponsored World Area Forecast System (WAFS) is one of the telecommunications system that will provide this access, bringing the data directly to all users.

Thus, at the International Desks, we are developing a cadre of meteorologists who are familiar with the additional products soon to become available. In this process, we are making sure they know how to use and apply these products in their local and general area of interest.

The benefits of having a cadre of well trained meteorologists are innumerable. We, in the U.S., consume a lot of produce from these regions, which directly depend on accurate forecasting for successful crops. These forecasters are also a key element in providing personnel and material protection, as they gain better understanding of the dynamical processes. They also contribute to the safety and protection of U.S. interest abroad. Hundreds of flights, local and international carriers, originate daily in the Caribbean Basin and South America. The safety of U.S. citizens depends on proper support, as provided by the International Desks and returning fellows.

Furthermore, at the NCEP we gain from the participation of these Fellows. Our global models are constantly revised, with each of the changes requiring a thorough evaluation. A change or modification in the model that reaps some benefits over a particular region, could result in less than favorable benefits over other regions on the globe. Although computers can do an objective analysis, they can not do a subjective analysis. The visiting Fellows bring knowledge and expertise from their region which we use to subjectively evaluate the models, thus allowing us to identify and correct substantial problems with the models.

Feedback from the participating countries has been immensely positive and the demand for training and interaction with the International Desks has shown no abatement. There is no doubt that Fellows benefit as individuals, and their local organizations follow suit.

Questions? Comments? Send mail to the WPC Webmaster.
NCEP/WPC/DTB / Last Modified November 30, 1998