WMO-CGMS Virtual Laboratory News️

🌐 Highlights from the VLab Network

Australia CoE (BOM)

• Continued delivery of Regional Focus Group (RFG) sessions
• Migration of training resources to a new Moodle platform
• Integration of AI-based forecast evaluation into activities
• Collaboration with University of Wisconsin–Madison on lightning prediction tools

Barbados CoE (CIMH)

• Ongoing severe weather forecasting programme transitioning to operational testbed (June 2026)
• Development of VLab training modules on heatwaves and impact-based flooding
• Integration of satellite data across training programmes (entry-level to operational)
• Introduction of marine forecasting training with satellite applications

Brazil CoE (INPE)

• Planned virtual training (July 2026) on hotspot data processing and wildfire analysis
• Theoretical + hands-on components (Python, Google Earth Engine)
• Focus on satellite-based fire detection using multi-sensor data (GOES, JPSS, Aqua, Landsat, Sentinel)

China – Beijing CoE (CMATC)

• Seminar on China-ASEAN Meteorological Remote Sensing, tentatively scheduled for June 2026
• Seminar on the Application of Meteorological Satellite Remote Sensing Technologies in "Belt and Road" Countries, tentatively scheduled for August 2026

China – Nanjing CoE (NUIST)

• Seminar on Satellite Remote Sensing Technology scheduled for 9-22 September 2026

Indonesia CoE (BMKG)

• Continuation of bimonthly Regional Focus Group sessions (including AI applications)
• Planned online RGB satellite training (June 2026)

Morocco CoE (DGM)

• Delivery of maritime forecasting training (altimetry, scatterometry) and MTG-focused online courses
• Planned development of new training modules, including multilingual resources

Oman CoE (CAA)

• Delivery of Satellite Application Courses (online + face-to-face) and monthly forecasting forums
• Strong focus on case-based learning and practical tools (e.g. Google Earth)
• Planned training topics for MENA: dust forecasting, marine meteorology, tropical systems in the Arabian Sea, and satellite data services for Arabic-speaking forecasters

South Africa CoE (SAWS)

• Delivery of MTG-focused satellite training and postgraduate forecasting programme
• Integration of satellite imagery, lightning detection, and case-based learning
• Increasing participation in regional weather briefings

CIRA / NOAA

• Regular Regional Focus Group sessions with 60–80+ participants from 20+ countries
• Real-time weather discussions, case study analysis, and open exchange

COMET / UCAR

• Development of new online training modules: smoke detection (day/night), GeoColor imagery, and proxy visible imagery
• Launch of high-latitude satellite training course
• Continued expansion of global training resource repository

📅 Want to Know When These Training Events Are Happening?

The VLab Training Calendar is the central hub for discovering satellite meteorology training events from across the global VLab network.

📅 Open VLab Training Calendar

Through the calendar, you can:

• explore upcoming courses, workshops, and webinars
• access training opportunities from multiple CoEs, satellite operators, and partners
• stay informed about both regional and global activities

• Overview of Training Calendars and How VLab Members Advertise their Training Activities:

🎥 Latest Regional Focus Group Recordings

Regional Focus Groups (RFGs) provide an informal, peer-to-peer learning environment where forecasters and trainers discuss real-time weather events and explore the use of satellite data in operations.

As active communities of practice, these sessions foster collaboration and practical learning through real operational examples.

• Americas & Caribbean (English & Spanish) Watch recordings
• Australian VLab CoE (English) Watch recordings
• Indonesia VLab CoE (English) Watch recordings
• Middle East and North Africa (Arabic) Watch recordings
• African Quarterly Weather Briefings (English) Watch recordings

🌍 VLab Mirror Meetings – Key Takeaways

The VLab Eastern and Western Group Mirror meetings (31 March & 1 April 2026) brought together Centres of Excellence, satellite operators, and partners to align on priorities for satellite meteorology capacity development.

While satellite data availability continues to grow rapidly, capacity development remains the central challenge — particularly user skills, awareness, and infrastructure.

🛰️ Alignment with CM-16 Priorities

Discussions confirmed strong alignment with the outcomes of the 16th Session of Consultative Meetings on High-Level Policy on Satellite Matters (CM-16), which emphasize:

• capacity development
• AI/ML integration
• modern, cloud-based data access

CoEs are already actively addressing these priorities through their training activities, while continuing to face challenges related to skills, infrastructure, and resource availability.

👉 This highlights the important role of VLab in bridging high-level policy priorities and operational training.

📢 Upcoming Training & Activities

13 April - 1 May 2026
Morocco & Niger CoEs – Online Course on MTG Satellite Imagery Interpretation

June 2026
Indonesia CoE – Online RGB training
Barbados CoE – Online severe weather operational testbed workshop
China – Beijing CoE – Seminar on China-ASEAN Meteorological Remote Sensing

29 June – 3 July 2026
Morocco CoE – Face-to-face EUMETSAT data services and products for operational meteorological applications

July 2026
Brazil CoE – Online hotspot detection and wildfire analysis training

August 2026
China – Beijing CoE – Seminar on the Application of Meteorological Satellite Remote Sensing Technologies in "Belt and Road" Countries

9–22 September 2026
China (Nanjing) CoE – Seminar on satellite remote sensing technology

👉 See More Events

🔗 Useful Resources