European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts
Press release 1 August 2001
Czech Republic joins European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts .On 1 August 2001 the Czech Republic concluded a Co-operation Agreement with the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), thus allowing full access to the vast range of operational weather forecasts produced by the super-computer system of ECMWF. The Agreement was signed by Milos Kuzvart, Minister of the Environment of the Czech Republic, and by Dr David Burridge, Director of ECMWF, following detailed negotiations that began in 1995.
The conclusion of the Agreement was welcomed by Dr. Ivan Obrusnik, Director of the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute. "Accurate weather forecasts up to 10 days ahead, particularly of the severe weather that affects our country from time to time such as floods or storms, are essential," said Dr. Obrusnik. "Up to now we have not been able to forecast weather, and especially precipitation, for longer than 2 to 3 days ahead. Forecasts from ECMWF will extend our forecasting capability into the range from 3 to 10 days ahead, not only for severe weather but also for common daily forecasts so needed for public. ECMWF is widely acknowledged to produce the world's most accurate predictions in the medium range. The impressive improvement in the accuracy of the Centre´s forecasts in recent years has been a major stimulus to our efforts to conclude this Agreement."
The ECMWF Director Dr. Burridge also welcomed the conclusion of the Agreement. "ECMWF has concluded similar Agreements with Iceland, Hungary, Croatia and Slovenia", said Dr. Burridge. "We have contacts with many other States in central and east Europe, and we look forward to helping also those States - which have already concluded Association or Europe Agreements with the European Union - to improve their operational weather forecasts soon."
http://www.ecmwf.int
| Dr David Burridge, Director, | Dr Ivan Obrusnik, Director |
| ECMWF | Czech Hydrometeorological Institute |
| Shinfield Park | Na Sabatce 17 |
| Reading | 143 06 Praha 4 |
| RG2 9AX | Czech Republic |
| England | |
| Tel: 0118 949 9104 | Tel: (+420 2) 401 65 03 |
| int (+44) 118 949 9104 | |
| Fax: 0118 986 9450 | fax: (+420 2) 401 0800 |
| David.Burridge@ecmwf.int | obrusnik@chmi.cz |