About
Antarctic RCC Structure
The Antarctic Regional Climate Centre Network (AntRCC) comprises several specialised nodes, each led by one or more institutions and supported by consortium members across the network. Together these nodes coordinate the production of climate monitoring products, long‑range forecasts, data services and training activities for the Antarctic region. The list below summarises the nodes and their leads, as defined in the AntRCC implementation plan.
| Node Title | Lead Agency / Lead(s) | Consortium Members |
|---|---|---|
| Coordination & Communication | South African Weather Service (SAWS) | TBC |
| Climate Forum & Consensus Statements | TBC (coordinated by PHORS and AntAG) | TBC |
| Climatologies & Diagnostics | Italian National Research Council (CNR‑ISP) | TBC |
| Seasonal Forecasts (Long‑Range Forecasting) | Bureau of Meteorology, Australia (BoM) | TBC |
| Data Access & Publishing | China Meteorological Administration / Polar Research Institute of China | Partners contributing observational datasets and ensuring publication of quality‑controlled data via WMO standards |
| Data Management | UK Met Office | All partners contributing data stewardship expertise; coordination with data access node to ensure QC, metadata standards and long‑term preservation |
Mandatory RCC Functions
The World Meteorological Organization specifies mandatory functions for all Regional Climate Centres. The Antarctic RCC delivers these through its network of nodes and partnerships, focusing on long‑range forecasting, climate monitoring, operational data services, capacity building and research.
Long‑Range Forecasting
- Interpret and assess Global Producing Centre (GPC) long‑range forecasts and hindcasts.
- Create regional and sub‑regional forecast products for monthly, seasonal and decadal scales.
- Provide gridded and station‑based outlooks and consensus statements.
- Verify forecasts and hindcasts to refine model performance.
Climate Monitoring
- Produce diagnostics and analyses of anomalies, trends and extremes.
- Issue bulletins, advisories and information on extreme events and climate status.
- Coordinate reports on Antarctic climate status and variability.
Operational Data Services
- Maintain high‑quality climate databases at station and gridded levels.
- Ensure data accessibility, quality control and metadata management.
- Support data rescue initiatives and long‑term preservation.
Collaborators
Contributors
Australia, Chile, China, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Russia, South Africa, South Korea, UK, USA, Argentina
Website Design by the South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON)