The Hydrologic Research Center (HRC) successfully conducted a five-day training workshop on Radar Hydrology, focusing on the Southeastern Asia-Oceania Flash Flood Guidance System (SAOFFGS), from October 21 to 25. The workshop was held in Jakarta at the headquarters of the Meteorological, Climatological, and Geophysical Agency (BMKG) of Indonesia.

HRC is integrating weather radar data from Indonesia, Brunei, and the Philippines into the SAOFFGS system. The workshop aimed to introduce operational forecasters and radar experts from these countries to the quality control and processing of radar data for flash flood guidance. This training seeks to enhance regional flood forecasting by incorporating weather radar data. Participants learned about essential aspects of radar data quality control and its application in generating accurate quantitative precipitation estimates (QPE).

The objectives of the workshop included introducing the principles of radar data quality control for practical weather radar precipitation estimation in the FFGS, encouraging discussions about the application of QPE from weather radars among operational forecasters, and gathering feedback from local radar users on effectively implementing radar-based QPE in the SAOFFGS.

Participants provided valuable feedback on the challenges they face in operating and utilizing weather radars. They shared best practices for converting radar reflectivity to QPE, discussed issues affecting radar operations, and developed case studies of recent flash flood events in their countries. This also involved evaluating the performance of the FFGS and considering the potential benefits of incorporating radar precipitation estimates into flood forecasting practices.

This training marks a significant step toward enhancing collaborative efforts in flood forecasting across Southeast Asia and Oceania, fostering a deeper understanding of radar technology among regional experts.