U.S. Climate Center Director and Wyle Scientist Visit Taiwan's Weather Institutes to Discuss Monsoon Forecasting

EL SEGUNDO, Calif., July 26, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- A Wyle climate scientist has provided expertise during a formal U.S. visit to Taiwan for discussions on mutual cooperative activities on monsoon prediction training efforts.

Dr. Shi-Keng Yang, a Wyle principal scientist and head of the company's climate prediction unit, accompanied Dr. Wayne Higgins, NOAA's Director of the Climate Prediction Center (CPC), during a visit to the Taiwan Central Weather Bureau for discussions on cooperation between the two agencies.  

The prime objective of the trip was for Dr. Higgins and Dr. Yang to meet with Taiwan Central Weather Bureau officials to discuss and finalize plans for Taiwan's participation in the newly established International Monsoon Forecaster Training Desk at the U.S. National Centers for Environment Prediction.

Additional discussions included cooperation between the U.S. CPC and the Taiwan Central Weather Bureau on dataset development, climate information exchange, evaluations of climate models and development of climate predication methods.  The Taiwan Central Weather Bureau participates in CPC Global Tropical Hazards Assessment by providing a weekly Tropical Cyclone Tracker using the information from the U.S. National Center for Environment Prediction's Global Ensemble Forecast System.

In addition to visiting the Taiwan Central Weather Bureau, Dr. Higgins also gave presentations at the National Taiwan University, National Central University, and the National Center for Disaster Reduction.  Dr. Higgins spoke about the freshly implemented National Center for Environment Prediction's Climate Forecast System Version 2.

"The discussions provided ample opportunities to share operational experiences, exchange development plans and build cooperation for the future," said Dr. Higgins.  

Many Wyle CPC team members made major contributions to this upgrade of National Center for Environment Prediction's premier climate forecast system over the past few years.

"Our goal for this new training desk is to build capacity in prediction of the global monsoon weather and climate through this international cooperation, and hopefully mitigate damage, assess vulnerabilities, and ultimately to save lives and property," said Dr. Yang.

Starting this year, the International Forecaster Training Desk will take on a new trainee every two to four months for four months of training. Wyle's 40-year legacy of integrating science and information technology uniquely positions the company to assist the CPC with this new and exciting initiative. The company's intimate understanding of climatology and our scientists' integrated experience with NOAA and the CPC empowered Wyle to recommend this new and needed initiative and will provide for the success of many CPC projects.

Wyle, a privately held company, is a leading provider of high tech aerospace engineering and information technology services to the federal government on long-term outsourcing contracts. The company also provides test and evaluation of aircraft, weapon systems, networks, and other government assets; and other engineering services to the aerospace, defense, and nuclear power industries.

Contact:
Dan Reeder
(310) 563-6834
Ref.:  NR/11-28

SOURCE Wyle