WMO conducted a severe weather forecasting training workshop in Kinshasa, DRC (29 September-3 October 2025) to enhance METTELSAT 's forecasting and early warning capabilities, supporting the UN Early Warnings for All initiative by 2027.
Under the World Meteorological Organization Severe Weather Forecasting Programme (SWFP) and as a follow-up to the SWFP Training Workshop for Central Africa held in Yaoundé from 30 June to 11 July 2025, an in-country training workshop on short- and medium-range forecasting was organized for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The workshop was conducted in collaboration with the Department of National Meteorology (DNM Cameroon), the potential Regional Forecast Support Centre (RFSC) for SWFP-Central Africa.
The in-country training took place at METTELSAT premises in Kinshasa from 29 September to 3 October. Supported through the CREWS ASW DRC Project, the workshop focused on strengthening the capacity of operational forecasters at METTELSAT and lecturers on Meteorology from Institut supérieur de techniques appliquées (ISTA). A WMO trainer in operational meteorology led the five-day session, providing both theoretical and hands-on training.
Prior to this in-person training, several online trainings had been organized, some jointly with other National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) within Central and West Africa. Additionally, biweekly online briefing sessions continue to be held across both subregions, with active participation from multiple forecasting centers, including METTELSAT. These sessions serve as platforms for sharing experiences, discussing challenges, and improving collective forecasting skills, thereby strengthening regional forecasting capabilities.
Following the Yaoundé workshop, participants agreed to initiate knowledge transfer sessions across the region through operational forecaster training. This approach aims to ensure sustainability, scalability, and long-term impact within the SWFP framework. As part of this initiative, the DRC continues to participate in biweekly regional briefings, while the RFSC Yaoundé is preparing a guideline document to support NMHS forecasters in better interpreting severe weather forecasting guidance products for Central Africa.
The SWFP is an essential enabler of the United Nations Early Warnings for All (EW4All) initiative, which seeks to ensure that every person on Earth is protected by early warning systems by 2027. Supporting national institutions such as METTELSAT in providing timely and accurate severe weather warnings is crucial to protecting lives, property, and livelihoods.
The workshop allowed participants to enhance their skills in utilizing Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) products and guidance products from both the Yaoundé Regional Forecast Support Centre and the Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre (RSMC) Pretoria. Participants also explored the preparation of risk-based weather bulletins and alerts and discussed approaches for implementing a forecast verification process to monitor performance and improve forecast accuracy.
Key Recommendations
Optimal Use of Global and Regional NWP Products
METTELSAT should make full use of global NWP products available from the World Meteorological Centres (WMCs) - including ECMWF, Exeter, Montréal, Offenbach, Toulouse, Washington, Beijing - as well as from Regional Centres such as EUMETSAT, to improve the accuracy and reliability of forecasts and early warning services.
Improvement and Dissemination of Forecasts
METTELSAT should continue to enhance and regularly publish daily short- and medium-range forecasts (up to 7 days) for all regions of the DRC. These should include parameters such as maximum and minimum temperature, precipitation, and wind. Efforts should be made to disseminate these forecasts through the official METTELSAT website, social media platforms, and other appropriate channels.
Development of Special Forecast Bulletins
METTELSAT should develop specialized weather bulletins for high-risk and high-impact areas, such as the Kinshasa metropolitan region, Lake Tanganyika, and other major lakes and population centers, to better support local decision-making and risk management.
This training represents an important step toward strengthening operational forecasting capabilities in the DRC and across Central Africa. It contributes directly to the objectives of the SWFP and the CREWS initiative, helping ensure that communities are better informed, better prepared, and more resilient to the impacts of severe weather events.
