Southern African climate experts, meteorological agencies and sector specialists will meet in Namibia later this month to develop a regional seasonal climate outlook aimed at strengthening early warning systems and helping governments prepare for climate-related risks.
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Secretariat, through its Climate Services Centre (SADC-CSC), will convene the 33rd Southern Africa Climate Outlook Forum (SARCOF-33) in Swakopmund from Aug. 25 to 28.
The forum will bring together National Meteorological and Hydrological Services, climate experts, specialists from key economic sectors and users of climate information to assess the expected seasonal conditions and their potential implications across the region.
The meeting to be held under the theme “From Climate Observation to Seasonal Prediction: Informing Early Action for the Upcoming Season,” is set to highligh the growing emphasis on using climate information to support preparedness and anticipatory action.
Rather than focusing solely on the production of seasonal forecasts, SARCOF-33 is expected to examine how climate information can be translated into practical measures before extreme weather events occur.
Participants from sectors including agriculture, water, energy, health and disaster risk management will assess potential climate-related risks and opportunities and develop sector-specific guidance to support planning and decision-making.
For countries that rely heavily on climate-sensitive sectors such as agriculture and water resources, timely seasonal forecasts can help authorities and communities prepare for possible droughts, floods and other weather-related disruptions.
The forum will also provide an opportunity for users of climate information to engage directly with climate scientists and meteorological authorities, helping ensure that forecasts are relevant to decisions being made on the ground.
Building regional preparedness
SADC has increasingly emphasised regional cooperation in climate services as Southern Africa faces recurring weather and climate shocks that can affect food security, water availability, public health, infrastructure and livelihoods.
SARCOF-33 will seek to strengthen cooperation among SADC member states and improve the uptake and use of climate services, with a focus on ensuring that information reaches decision-makers early enough to support preventive action.
The forum will also promote the use of climate forecasts in disaster risk management, allowing governments and other stakeholders to move beyond responding to disasters after they occur and instead prepare for anticipated impacts.
The approach is particularly relevant to communities whose livelihoods depend on seasonal rainfall and who can face significant economic losses when rainfall patterns deviate from expectations.
Climate experts meet ahead of forum
The main forum will be preceded by the Climate Experts Meeting (CEM), scheduled for Aug. 17 to 24.
The meeting will bring together climate experts from SADC member states to strengthen their capacity in seasonal climate prediction and improve their ability to support early action across the region.
The experts will contribute to the technical assessment and interpretation of climate information that will underpin the regional seasonal outlook presented during SARCOF-33.
The process is intended to strengthen the scientific basis of the regional forecast while improving coordination between national meteorological services and regional climate institutions.
The outcome of the forum is expected to provide governments, humanitarian agencies, businesses and communities with information to guide preparations for the upcoming season.
SADC said the emphasis on moving from climate observation and prediction to early action reflects the need to ensure that climate information leads to tangible measures that reduce vulnerability and protect lives and livelihoods.
With climate-related hazards continuing to pose risks across Southern Africa, the forum will serve as a platform for countries to coordinate preparedness efforts and strengthen the use of climate information in decision-making.
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