By: Carlo Calos

The OML Center was invited to be a part of the “Training/Workshop on Dynamical Downscaling Using the Conformal-cubic Atmoshperic Model (CCAM)” held last 4-7 November 2014 at DOST-PAGASA in Diliman, Quezon City. The workshop was organized by PAGASA Climatology and Agrometeorology Division thru Ms. Thelma Cinco. Dr. Jack Katzfey of CSIRO served as the resource speaker for the entire training. The said event was attended by weather specialists from PAGASA, and representatives from National Irrigation Authority, Bureau of Soils and Water Management, Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation and Philippine Rice Research Institute.

The objectives of the workshop were: 1.) understanding climate model projections and outputs, 2.) evaluation of climate simulations from multiple climate models, 3.) consideration of climate features such as tropical cyclones, drought, heat wave and extremes, among others, 4.) assessment of downscaling techniques and their products to understand uncertainties accompanying the regional climate projections, 5.) training on regional climate modelling, data analysis and applications, and 6.) meeting requests of end-users particularly on downscaled products with definition of data types, formats, resolutions for vulnerability, impacts and adaptation analysis.

The training was able to equip PAGASA and participants with further necessary skills on enhancing quality future climate projections at the regional level through CCAM. Overall, it gave the participants a sense of appreciation on the generation of such models. Further, this provided knowledge on the evaluation of climate models.