Darwin Regional Specialised Meteorological Centre
(Darwin RSMC)

Overview

The Darwin Regional Specialised Meteorological Centre (RSMC) was originally established as a Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) in 1967. This was part of the world-wide network of RMCs in the World Meteorological Organisation's (WMO) World Weather Watch plan. After an extensive review by the WMO of the World Weather Watch Program, Darwin was nominated as a Regional Specialised Meteorological Centre (RSMC) with geographic specialisation from 1st July 1988.

Darwin RSMC's primarily activities focus on tropical analysis, prognosis and diagnostics. The RSMC area covers the region from 25N to 25S and 70E to 180. However many of the RSMC's products extend to the adjacent subtropics of 40N and 40S.

The RSMC also has activity specialisation relating to:

climate diagnostic information;

tropical cyclone advisory services for the north Australian area;

volcanic ash advisory services for the region 10N to 40S, 100E to 160E.

Real-time functions

Data collection and quality control
Collection and quality control of real-time synoptic data and other meteorological data over the RSMC area of responsibility.

Analyses and forecasts
Preparation of analyses for the RSMC area of responsibility and limited area forecast products for 12 to 72 hours ahead.

Tropical cyclone advisories
Provision of advisory services relating to tropical cyclones in the north Australian region. Tropical cyclone warnings (when they are current) are available via the Current Tropical Cyclone page.

Volcanic ash advisories
Provision of advisory services relating to volcanic ash affecting aircraft in the area 10N to 40S, 100E to 160E.

Non-real-time functions

Climate related diagnosis
Preparation of special products for non-real-time weather or climate related diagnosis (i.e. 7 or 30 day means, summaries, frequencies and anomalies), including the Weekly Tropical Climate Note and the monthly Darwin Tropical Diagnostic Statement. These relate to monsoons and other large scale processes and synoptic scale events.

Monitoring and verification
Intercomparison of analyses and forecast products, monitoring of observational data quality, verification of the accuracy of prepared forecast fields.

Diagnostic studies and numerical model development
An applied research capability is maintained at the Darwin RSMC. The Centre collaborates with the Bureau of Meteorology Research Centre and the Melbourne National Meteorological Operations Centre to introduce the results of numerical model and other research operationally.

Archiving
Preparation of definitive synoptic analyses for archiving.

Catalogues of data and products
Maintenance of a continuously updated catalogue of data and products stored in the system.

Training
Conduct of workshops and seminars on the preparation and use of RSMC products.