The fourth Weather Ready Nation Workshop occurred in Fiji from September 2nd to 6th, with support and sponsorship from the Ministry of Public Works, Transport, and Meteorological Services, the National Weather Service International Activities (NOAA), and the U.S. Agency for International Development/Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (USAID/BHA).

This workshop was conducted by the Hydrologic Research Center (HRC) and the Fiji Meteorological Service (FMS) and focused on improving multi-hazard, impact-based forecasting and early warning systems. Participants worked with key sectors, including tourism, local media, water resources, and transportation, to enhance preparedness and response strategies for severe weather events.

The Weather Ready Nations (WRNs) initiative, launched in 2016, aims to enhance the capabilities of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHS) and National Disaster Management Agencies (NDMAs) in developing impact-based multi-hazard early warning services (IB-MEWS). By integrating data on hazards, exposure, and vulnerability, the initiative provides actionable guidance, helping communities take early action to reduce risks, minimize loss of life, and mitigate property damage from natural disasters.

The shift from forecasting weather conditions to forecasting their impacts aims to deliver more practical, decision-support information, ensuring better preparedness and response across various sectors.