WMO RTC Italy Archives - climateservices.it CNR-IBE

INTEGRATED AND IMMERSIVE TRAINING FOR MONITORING CLIMATE EFFECTS ON DIFFERENT ECOSYSTEM COMPOUNDS

Vieri Tarchiani — Mon, 17 Nov 2025 14:44:50 +0000

From Past Experiences to Proposal of Collaborations among RTC WMO, European LTER Network, National Research Council of Italy and LAMMA Consortium, at Pianosa Research Base (Italy).

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Building Local Capacity through Cascading Agrometeorological Training in Niger A scalable model from the PRIMESA initiative

Vieri Tarchiani — Mon, 17 Nov 2025 10:47:06 +0000

Within the framework of the PRIMESA initiative, funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), a structured multi-scale training program is being
implemented in Niger to enhance the use of agrometeorological information for climate-resilient agriculture. In collaboration with the National Directorate of
Meteorology (DMN) and the Ministry of Agriculture of Niger, this training scheme builds on lessons learned from the earlier ANADIA project and aims to reach farmers through a cascading training model.
The program begins at the national level, where international experts train technical staff from the DMN and the Ministry of Agriculture on key topics such as the use
of low-cost rain gauges (pluviomètres paysans), seasonal forecasts, and 10-day agrometeorological bulletins to support decision-making in agronomic crop
management. These national trainers then deliver training at the regional level to agricultural extension officers, who subsequently work directly with farmers in the
field.
The approach combines in-person sessions, practical demonstrations, printed and digital materials, and communication via rural radio and WhatsApp groups during
the growing season. Preliminary evidence shows that trained farmers not only better understand weather and climate information but also apply it more effectively
leading to improved yields.
This experience underscores the importance of co-developing training content with local actors and creating robust, multi-level partnerships to ensure that
meteorological information is not only disseminated but understood and used effectively at the community level. The model developed in Niger offers a replicable
approach for other regions facing similar challenges in agricultural adaptation and training dissemination.

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From Training to Transformation: Co-Developing Forecasting Capacities for Early Warning in West Africa

Vieri Tarchiani — Mon, 17 Nov 2025 10:34:04 +0000

In Sub-Saharan Africa, the operational implementation of regional Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) models remains a significant challenge due to limited financial and technical resources, insufficient understanding of tropical weather systems, and the inadequate performance of global models in simulating rainfall over the region. Although recent developments—such as cloud computing and convection-permitting models—offer new opportunities, forecasting intense rainfall events, often linked to mesoscale convective systems, continues to be a major limitation for effective early warning systems.
Within the framework of the SLAPIS Sahel project, a development cooperation initiative, the Regional Training Center in Italy designed and implemented a blended and integrated training programme aimed at enhancing the capacities of the National Meteorological Services (NMSs) of Niger and Burkina Faso. The objective was to enable local forecasters, modelers, and IT personnel to operationalize regional NWP chains in support of hydrometeorological early warning systems.

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Agricultural Meteorology School 5th Edition 2025

Web Editor — Mon, 31 Mar 2025 10:12:30 +0000

Fifth Edition 2025
International School of Agrometeorology

Agricultural Meteorology
for Agriculture Management
at Microscale

9-13 June 2025, Ancona, Italy

About the Fifth edition

Effective agricultural management requires detailed knowledge of microclimatic conditions at the field and sub-field scale. Agricultural Meteorology provides essential tools to monitor and analyse local climate variability, supporting data-driven decisions for resource optimization and sustainable practices.
The 5th edition of the School, Agricultural Meteorology for Agriculture Management at Microscale, focuses on high-resolution climate analysis, precision monitoring, and site-specific applications. Participants will learn advanced techniques to assess and manage microclimatic dynamics, improving resilience and efficiency in agricultural systems, under a changing climate.

Contact

AgroMetSchool@gmail.com

The programme

Blog Posts

Agromet School 2025 – Last day

June 13, 2025

Last day of the 5th INTERNATIONAL ADVANCED SCHOOL IN AGRICULTURAL METEOROLOGY! We had the pleasure to host engaging lectures by Josef Eitzinger, Ana Firanj Sremac, and Branislava Lalic (CA20108 COST

Agromet School 2025 – 4th Day

June 12, 2025

Today we focused on several aspects useful for data analysis and experimental designs in the field, calibration of DSSAT models and programming for forecasting in agronomic trials, with trainers all

Agromet School 2025 – 3rd day

June 12, 2025

The 3rd day of the school The second day of the school focused on the application of artificial intelligence and machine learning for data analysis to enhance the understanding and

Agromet School 2025 – 2nd Day

June 11, 2025

The second day of the school focused on microscale exchanges between the atmosphere and vegetation of energy and gases at the microscale. Particular attention was paid to Eddy covariance, a

AgroMetSchool 2025 Kicks Off in Ancona

June 9, 2025

The AgroMetSchool, 5th Edition just started this morning in Ancona, hosted by Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences D3A of the Polytechnic University of Marche. The opening session of

Photogallery

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Les Services Agrométéorologiques pour les producteurs ruraux pour le développement et la durabilité de l’agriculture au Sénégal, Mauritanie, Mali, Burkina Faso et Niger

Vieri Tarchiani — Wed, 09 Oct 2024 10:18:53 +0000

L’agriculture sahélienne depuis son origine est confrontée à la variabilité climatique qui a caractérisé son développement au cours des millénaires et a conduit les agriculteurs à adopter des stratégies fonctionnelles pour minimiser les risques. Dans la seconde moitié du XXe siècle, l’agrométéorologie s’est développée comme une science appliquée pour soutenir l’agriculture, réduire les risques climatiques et maximiser les opportunités de production. Au Sahel, les applications agrométéorologiques dans l’agriculture ont pris leur essor après les grandes sécheresses des années 1970 et 1980, lorsqu’un effort international massif a été déployé pour soutenir les pays les plus touchés. Au cours de ces années, des centres régionaux spécialisés, tels que le Centre régional AGRHYMET, ont été créés ainsi que des des divisions d’agrométéorologie au sein des Services Météorologiques Nationaux. La recherche agrométéorologique a été soutenue par le developpement de l’informatique, ainsi que par la disponibilité d’ordinateurs personnels, de données de télédétection et des systèmes d’information géographique. À partir des années 1990, les services agrométéorologiques destinés aux producteurs ruraux ont commencé à devenir opérationnels au Mali, mais aussi au Sénégal, au Niger et au Burkina Faso. L’Organisation Météorologique Mondiale a aidé les pays du Sahel à développer ces services par le biais de multiples initiatives régionales et nationales. Certaines initiatives etaient centrées sur le Centre Régional AGRHYMET (comme AP3A et SVS financés par l’Italie), d’autres etaient gérées directement dans les pays (comme METAGRI financé par l’Espagne, puis METAGRI-OPS financé par un groupe de donateurs comprenant la Norvège, l’Espagne et la Grèce). Au cours des dix dernières années, tous les pays du Sahel, mais plus généralement de l’Afrique de l’Ouest, ont vu l’émergence d’initiatives visant à fournir des services agrométéorologiques aux producteurs ruraux, grâce également aux nouvelles technologies de l’information et de la communication et à la diffusion des Smartphones, y compris dans les zones rurales. Cependant, ces services, presque toujours lancés sous forme de projets à court terme, sont encore souvent des prototypes ou des pilotes. Bien que leurs impacts positifs soient désormais reconnus et scientifiquement verifiés, leur durabilité n’est pas encore prouvée. Cet ouvrage retrace l’histoire des services agrométéorologiques destinés aux agriculteurs du Sénégal, de la Mauritanie, du Mali, du Burkina Faso et du Niger, et analyse leurs forces et faiblesses dans la perspective du développement et de la durabilité de l’agriculture face au défi global du changement climatique.

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The added value of the process in climate services co-production: Lessons from Niger

Vieri Tarchiani — Wed, 09 Oct 2024 10:08:35 +0000

Climate services are recognized as an essential tool for sustainable development in strategic and climate-sensitive sectors. In developing countries, particularly in Africa, the literature offers successful examples of application, especially in the agricultural sector, which is dramatically sensitive to climate variability and change. While, initially, particular emphasis was placed on the outcomes of these services and the benefits they provide to users, several authors, more recently, have focused their attention on the process. A climate service is understood as a cyclical process in which the different actors interact, exchange knowledge, and establish relationships and mutual trust. This co-production process serves primarily to bridge the gap between science and society and is particularly appropriate for developing countries. Several authors claim the benefit of the co-production process improving the service usability, but rarely the intrinsic value of the process is recognized. This study aims to describe the process and document its added value using the example of Niger as a case study, where two services addressing drought and floods have recently been developed, tested, and operationalized. This experience allows for inferring lessons that can be useful for researchers and practitioners in developed and developing contexts. The value of the collaboration between different disciplines (transdisciplinarity) and roles (complementarity), and the iterative and interactive learning process emerge as key elements allowing a continuous improvement of the services and the strengthened relationship among actors. The results of this process, albeit qualitatively described in the paper, could guide researchers and practitioners in adopting such an approach and could represent a tangible example for funders and policymakers of the process’s added value. Nevertheless, the article recognizes the need to develop a methodological framework for quali/quantitatively assessing the added value of the co-production process and suggests four dimensions to be considered in further research. Finally, the paper recommends the capitalization of pilot experiences through the national and global frameworks for climate services.

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EWAfrica

Web Editor — Wed, 17 Jan 2024 13:04:09 +0000

2024 UPCOMING EVENT - INTERNATIONAL TRAINING COURSE

EWAfrica: Enhancing Early Warnings
for Climate and Weather Extremes

Supporting the Early Warnings for All Action Plan for Africa

The Context

Africa grapples with severe climate challenges—floods, droughts, cyclones, storms, and heatwaves—impeding socio-economic progress. From 1970 to 2021, Africa accounted for 35% of global weather-related fatalities, yet only 40% had access to Early Warning Systems (EWS), a global low.
The World Meteorological Organization’s 2022 report highlights socio-economic impacts, emphasizing the urgent need for effective early warning systems. These systems yield a 30% damage reduction with just 24 hours’ notice.

The Early Warnings for All Action Plan for Africa, part of the Early Warning for All Initiative, unveiled in Nairobi on September 4, 2023, aims to safeguard lives and livelihoods. Focused on monitoring, capacity building, communication, and community engagement, it enhances dis- aster preparedness, increases awareness, and fosters regional cooperation.

About EWAfrica

An International Training Initiative to Support the Early Warnings for All Action Plan for Africa

Strengthen knowledge and technical expertise to establish Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems (MHEWS) in participants’ respective countries and regions, addressing local needs within a robust global scientific framework.

EWAfrica training course caters to the learning needs of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHS) and Disaster Risk Management (DRM) agencies, focusing on co-designing multi-hazard, people-centered, and impact-based EWS in Africa. Each course pillar addresses specific learning topics that promote collaboration, partnership, inclusion, interoperability, and transdisciplinary approaches.

Goal

EWAfrica training course caters to the learning needs of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHS) and Disaster Risk Management (DRM) agencies, focusing on co-designing multi-hazard, people-centered, and impact-based Early Warning Systems (EWS) in Africa. Each course pillar addresses specific learning topics that promote collaboration, partnership, inclusion, interoperability, and transdisciplinary approaches.

Aim

Support the implementation of the Early Warnings for All in Africa Action Plan by building capacities of NMHS and other agencies involved in early warning of climate and weather-related risks. This involves addressing key topics related to the principles of MHEWS and the four pillars of EW4ALL (Early Warning for All).

Target Audience

The course is designed for agents of NMHS in Africa, as well as other line ministries involved in weather and climate-related risks, and Disaster Risk Management agencies with responsibility or engagement in designing and/or developing EWS.

Fees

Fees will be covered by course sponsors or by participants’ organisations or by external funding sources.

Express your interest in the Course now!

The EWAfrica training course is still in the planning phase, with anticipated implementation in 2024. In this phase, we are currently gathering expressions of interest for this initiative targeted towards national and local African institutions that are interested in participating.

Simply fill out the form by clicking on the button below to indicate your interest in attending EWAfrica.

WHAT ARE THE REASONS TO ATTEND THIS COURSE?

Participants will improve their knowledge and technical capabilities in the design and set-up of MHEWS in their own countries and regions, responding to local needs within a global and robust scientific framework.
The training course will provide participants with knowledge through best practices and key studies on methods, approaches and ethical implications to respond to some of the main challenges in implementing MHEWS.

Key Topics

Principles of Multi-Hazard EWS

Key components of global risk reduction, EWS face implementation challenges. A robust legislative framework is vital, establishing rules for roles, responsibilities, and processes. This ensures alignment with national disaster risk management strategies and upholds human rights. Emphasizing a people-centered, impact-based approach, the principles include partnership, monitoring, evaluation, and ethical considerations for just and equitable MHEWS development and implementation.

Disaster Risk Knowledge and Management

Multi-risk assessment, encompassing social, environmental, economic, political, and ethical aspects of vulnerability to various climatic hazards.

Preparedness and Response Capabilities

Inclusive contingency planning, training, and awareness-raising among local communities, including the integration of indigenous knowledge. This aims to enhance community involvement in early warning systems, focusing on response capability and equality.

Observations, Monitoring, and Forecasting

Monitoring and forecasting multiple hazards, whether occurring simultaneously or cumulatively over time, across various spatial scales (from regional to local, transboundary) and temporal scales (seamless from nowcasting to seasonal). This involves utilizing open standards and platforms for data and information sharing, ensuring interoperability and employing distributed systems to enhance the monitoring and forecasting capacities of climate and weather-related parameters.

Dissemination and Communication

Inclusive communication campaigns, emphasizing the ethics of warning communication (non-exclusivity, inclusion of disadvantaged groups, etc.). This involves integrating digital technology and traditional social networks, along with collaboratively defining comprehensible warning messages with communities. The goal is to enhance the establishment of robust and diversified communication strategies for disseminating early warnings to all.

Why should institutions send their staff members?

The implementation of the Early Warnings for All Action Plan for Africa needs a multifaceted and holistic vision strengthening national capacities to enhance disaster preparedness, protect lives, and build resilience across the African continent. This training course reflects the comprehensive approach of the plan and addresses the urgent need for effective early warning systems to mitigate the impacts of extreme weather and climate change in Africa.

Course Format, Assessment and Activities

Course Format

Training course in presence with lectures, case studies and Labs (hands on sessions. Distance Learning will be used for pre-course and post-course activities.

Student Assessment

A final test will be administered to participants after the face-to-face phase through the Moodle platform Participants will receive a certificate of participation and students passing the final test will also receive a badge.

Language Used

The course language will be English. Interpretation services for lectures will be considered based on participants’ English skills during the selection phase.

Pre-course Content and Activities

Pre-Course will be carried out through a distance learning platform to ensure a common entry level. Pre-Course Content: The shared principles of MHEWS and the four pillars of EW4ALL a common base for enabling, managing and implementing the EW4ALL in Africa; the Ethical Principles of Early Warning System.

Post-course Content and Activities

Post-Course Activity will be conducted online three months after the face-to-face phase in the form of a workshop, where participants will provide presentations on how and to what extent they have disseminated the acquired knowledge within their respective institutions and the progress they have made in their work tasks.

Organizers

The course is co-organized by Italian Air Force Meteorological Service, World Meteorological Organization Regional Training Center in Italy in collaboration with the Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies and the Center of Excellence in Telesensing of Environment and Model Prediction of Severe Events of the University of L’Aquila in Italy.

Express your interest.

Collecting preliminary interests in the course will help us better plan the course's logistics and schedule.

Click Here to Fill the Form

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Agricultural Meteorology School 3rd Edition 2023

Web Editor — Wed, 22 Mar 2023 16:06:20 +0000

Third Edition 2023
International School of Agrometeorology

Agricultural Meteorology for Supporting Crop Production

Bratislava, Slovakia 11-15 December 2023

About the third edition

Crop production and natural resource management need innovative approaches to cope with climate challenges and geopolitical crises that increasingly threaten agriculture. Agrometeorology, through the development of new information, knowledge, and innovative tools can mainstream science into operational agriculture. The 2023 edition of the School, aims to provide young researchers and professionals with high-level innovative knowledge and skills on the most advanced technologies for the agrometeorological analysis and monitoring applied to a sustainable agricultural development under climate change.

Contact

AgroMetSchool@gmail.com

Blog Posts

The 3rd edition Agromet School begins in Bratislava

December 11, 2023

Photogallery

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Agricultural Meteorology School 2nd Edition 2022

Web Editor — Tue, 21 Mar 2023 14:38:59 +0000

Second Edition 2022

International School of Agrometeorology

Agricultural Meteorology for Sustainable Water Management in Agroecosystems

Bologna, Italy 5-9 September 2022

Who is it for?

The 1-week face-to-face course “Agriculture meteorology for sustainable water management in agroecosystems” was designed with the aim to facilitate participants to increase their knowledge of novel scientific results, and advanced technologies for the agrometeorological analysis and monitoring applied to agricultural water management under present and future climates. The school was co-organized by the World Meteorological Organization Regional Training Center in Italy, operated by the Institute of BioEconomy of the National Research Council and the Italian Association of Agrometeorology, AIAM, and the technical support of FAO.

Participants

The 28 participants from 14 Countries were selected among more than 110 applicants, and most of them work in the field of meteorology, agro-meteorology, hydrology, climate, and agricultural engineering, while some were PhD students.

Applicants

Participants

Countries

Organizers and Trainers

Twenty high level experts were involved as trainers for the school, all world-class experts from University of Florence (DAGRI), University of Milan, Council for Agricultural Research and Economics (CREA), Sicily Region, National Research Council of Italy, and International Agencies: Food and Agriculture Organization of United Nations – FAO, CGIAR / Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, CGIAR/IWMI.

Lectures

Relations between hydrological cycle, agriculture, and climate change
Water harvesting, research, and implementation
Modelling of crop yield response to water under conditions in which water is a key limiting factor in crop production – the AquaCrop system Satellite products and tools for sustainable water management

Field Visit

Course Information Downloads

Partners and Sponsors

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Agricultural Meteorology for a Climate Smart Agriculture. Course Report.

Marina Baldi — Thu, 14 Apr 2022 11:54:36 +0000

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WMO RTC Italy Archives - climateservices.it CNR-IBE

INTEGRATED AND IMMERSIVE TRAINING FOR MONITORING CLIMATE EFFECTS ON DIFFERENT ECOSYSTEM COMPOUNDS

Building Local Capacity through Cascading Agrometeorological Training in Niger A scalable model from the PRIMESA initiative

From Training to Transformation: Co-Developing Forecasting Capacities for Early Warning in West Africa

Agricultural Meteorology School 5th Edition 2025

Fifth Edition 2025 International School of Agrometeorology

Agricultural Meteorologyfor Agriculture Management at Microscale

9-13 June 2025, Ancona, Italy

About the Fifth edition

Contact

The programme

Blog Posts

Agromet School 2025 – Last day

Agromet School 2025 – 4th Day

Agromet School 2025 – 3rd day

Agromet School 2025 – 2nd Day

AgroMetSchool 2025 Kicks Off in Ancona

Photogallery

Les Services Agrométéorologiques pour les producteurs ruraux pour le développement et la durabilité de l’agriculture au Sénégal, Mauritanie, Mali, Burkina Faso et Niger

The added value of the process in climate services co-production: Lessons from Niger

EWAfrica

2024 UPCOMING EVENT - INTERNATIONAL TRAINING COURSE

EWAfrica: Enhancing Early Warningsfor Climate and Weather Extremes

The Context

About EWAfrica

Goal

Aim

Target Audience

Fees

Express your interest in the Course now!

WHAT ARE THE REASONS TO ATTEND THIS COURSE?

Key Topics

Principles of Multi-Hazard EWS

Disaster Risk Knowledge and Management

Preparedness and Response Capabilities

Observations, Monitoring, and Forecasting

Dissemination and Communication

Why should institutions send their staff members?

Course Format, Assessment and Activities

Course Format

Student Assessment

Language Used

Pre-course Content and Activities

Post-course Content and Activities

Organizers

Express your interest.

Agricultural Meteorology School 3rd Edition 2023

Third Edition 2023 International School of Agrometeorology

Agricultural Meteorology for Supporting Crop Production

About the third edition

Contact

Blog Posts

The 3rd edition Agromet School begins in Bratislava

Photogallery

Agricultural Meteorology School 2nd Edition 2022

Second Edition 2022

International School of Agrometeorology

Agricultural Meteorology for Sustainable Water Management in Agroecosystems

Bologna, Italy 5-9 September 2022

Who is it for?

Participants

Organizers and Trainers

Lectures

Field Visit

Course Information Downloads

Partners and Sponsors

Agricultural Meteorology for a Climate Smart Agriculture. Course Report.

Fifth Edition 2025
International School of Agrometeorology

Agricultural Meteorology
for Agriculture Management
at Microscale

EWAfrica: Enhancing Early Warnings
for Climate and Weather Extremes

Third Edition 2023
International School of Agrometeorology