Category Archives: events

April 1, 2025

Hotspot and Haze Assessment (H2A) Workshop 2025 for the ASEAN Region, Singapore 4 – 6 March 2025

The annual Hotspot and Haze Assessment (H2A) workshop for the Southeast Asia region was conducted in Singapore from 4 to 6 March 2025. A total of 16 delegates from 8 countries participated in the workshop, including delegates from Timor-Leste, who were participating in the workshop for the first time. This workshop is part of the ongoing ASMC Regional Capability-building Programme (ACaP), which seeks to build regional capabilities in weather forecasting, haze monitoring, subseasonal-to-seasonal predictions, and climate change projections.

During the workshop, stakeholders from the environmental and meteorological sectors shared their experiences in their home countries regarding fire prevention and mitigation during the dry season. Participants were involved in multiple in-depth learning sessions led by lecturers from ASMC which covered topics of interest in the region. There were lectures and hands-on activities on using various satellites and satellite products to monitor fires and smoke haze. Participants were also introduced to the weather and climate of the Southeast Asia region, followed by interpretation of subseasonal and seasonal forecast products. The latest developments in products and services by ASMC, such as the WMO Information System (WIS) 2.0, burned area mapping and smoke haze dispersion modelling were also presented.

Experts from various research and academic institutions in South Korea were invited to deliver a lecture on the Geostationary Environmental Monitoring Spectrometer (GEMS), on board the GeoKompSat-2B satellite, which is capable of monitoring climate forcers and air pollutants from space. Through hands-on activities, participants learned more about the visualisation of data recorded by GEMS using the GEMSAT software, as well as how such data can assist in haze monitoring.

This workshop provided opportunities for the participants to learn and interact with the lecturers as well as their peers in the region who work in the areas of fires and haze monitoring, mitigation and control. Going forward, the fourth round of the ASMC attachment programme will be held for regional countries in mid-2025, to provide regional officers with a chance to work with ASMC officers and perform more in-depth fires and haze analysis using meteorological and satellite data.

Figure 1: Group photograph of ASMC staff and participants of the 2025 H2A workshop.

Figure 2: Participants’ sharing of local experience on fire and haze in their countries.

October 9, 2024

ASMC-WMO Regional Forum 2024, 4 – 6 September 2024

ASMC-WMO Regional Forum 2024 (4 – 6 September 2024)

ASMC and WMO jointly organised the inaugural ASMC – WMO Regional Forum in Singapore, from 4 to 6 September 2024. Titled “Towards a Weather-Ready and Climate-Resilient ASEAN”, the Forum brought together global, regional and national leaders and partners from across the climate services value chain to focus on how climate services, including high-resolution regional climate projections and early warning systems, can better support climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction in Southeast Asia. The Forum also discussed how effective and inclusive early warning systems can mitigate the impact of extreme weather and climate events, especially in light of the Early Warnings for All (EW4All) initiative. Key highlights of the Forum included:

Deep dive into findings relevant to Southeast Asia from the 2023 WMO State of the Climate Reports for the South-West Pacific and Asia, with keynote address by Prof. Celeste Saulo, Secretary-General of the WMO and panel discussion on supporting ASEAN member states in translating climate information into actions.
Keynote presentations on climate change projections for Southeast Asia and the United Nations Early Warnings for All (EW4All) initiative
Technical Forums on Adapting to Climate Change in Southeast Asia, and Early Warning Systems as an Adaptive Measure: Panellists discussed about the current challenge and disaster riskscape in the Southeast Asia, the opportunity and on supports for NMHSs and ASEAN Member States in achieving EW4All.

The recordings on the presentations, panel discussions, the summaries from the World Café sessions, interactive group exercises and the regional forum can be accessed via link

March 8, 2024

Hotspot and Haze Assessment (H2A) Workshop 2024 for the ASEAN Region, Singapore 27 – 29 February 2024

On 27-29 February 2024, the ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) conducted the ninth run of the Hotspot and Haze Assessment (H2A) workshop for the ASEAN region in Singapore. This workshop is part of the ongoing ASMC Regional Capability-building Programme (ACaP), which seeks to build regional capabilities in weather forecasting, haze monitoring, subseasonal-to-seasonal predictions, as well as climate change projections.

During this workshop, experts from the environment and meteorological sectors of the ASEAN region shared their local experiences, knowledge and preparations for the upcoming dry seasons. Topics covered during the workshop included fire and haze detection methodologies, subseasonal-to-seasonal prediction, dispersion modelling and a walkthrough of key ASMC information platforms for the region. There were also hands-on activities where participants were guided on extraction of satellite data and regional haze analysis. The lecturers were from ASMC as well as the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Environmental Satellite Data and Information Service (NESDIS), the key developer of the hotspot detection algorithms used in the region.

Figure 1: Group photograph of ASMC staff and trainers, NOAA lecturers and participants of the 2024 H2A workshop.

Figure 2: Participants’ sharing of local experience on fire and haze in their countries.

Beyond the lectures and activities, participants also visited the Singapore Marina Barrage, one of the largest water catchment areas located in the heart of the city, as well as the sustainable gallery. Many participants appreciated the relevance and usefulness of the topics covered and shared positive feedback on their experiences at the event.

Figure 3: Lecturer from NOAA sharing on fire detection algorithms and haze detection tools.

Figure 4: Participants had the opportunity to learn about climate change mitigation efforts at the sustainable gallery.

May 4, 2023

ASMC Attachment Programme

ASMC Attachment Programme, March – April 2023

The first run of the ASMC Attachment Programme kicked off in in March 2023. Two officers from the Mekong sub-region, Ms Khaing Yi Mon Lin from Myanmar and Mr Pankham Soundala from Lao PDR were attached to the ASMC Operations Centre for a 6-to-8-week period during the northern ASEAN dry season. Together with ASMC staff, they were involved in the preparation of the daily weather and haze assessment and outlook for the ASEAN region, and familiarised with the regional weather, satellite data and numerical weather prediction tools. During their attachment, they also conducted a data analysis study on the hotspots and haze conditions in their home country and performed real-time analysis of the evolving haze situation in the Mekong sub-region. Using ASMC hotspot and haze coverage geospatial data, they assessed the siting of air quality monitoring stations, and conducted a comparison of hotspot persistency with their national land coverage information.

Figure 1: (left) Attachment programme participants taking part in the daily discussion on the regional weather and haze situation. (right) A familiarisation with ASMC’s satellite reception facilities.

February 28, 2023

Hotspot and Haze Assessment (H2A) Workshop 2023 for the ASEAN Region, Singapore 21 – 23 February 2023

The ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) conducted the Hotspot and Haze Assessment Workshop for ASEAN Member States over three days from 21-23 February 2023 at the Furama City Centre in Singapore. This workshop is part of a series of workshops and fora held under the ASMC Regional Capability-building Programme (ACaP) which has been extended till 2027. This marked the first time since 2020 that this workshop was held physically, with virtual workshops conducted in recent years during the pandemic.

The workshop served to bring together stakeholders from the environment and meteorological sectors to learn and share on their home country experiences in preparation for the dry season. Topics covered during the workshop included remote sensing, fire and haze detection using satellites, sub-seasonal and seasonal prediction, meteorological instrumentation and dispersion modelling. Lecturers were from the ASMC as well as from Met Malaysia, who presented on the Fire Rating Danger System (FDRS) for Southeast Asia. Representatives from the ASEAN Environment Division were also present at the workshop.

Figure 1: The participants posed for a group photograph with staff from ASMC

Figure 2: ASMC Director of Operations, Mr Lesley Choo officiates the opening of the workshop.

The Workshop included a mix of lectures, discussions and quizzes to introduce participants to key concepts required to utilise meteorological products for fires and haze monitoring, assessment and prediction. Participants also had the opportunity to visit the ASMC operations and satellite centre, as well as a local air quality monitoring station during the workshop. Participants shared at the end of the workshop that that the lectures covered were beneficial and very informative and appreciated the activities, preparations, as well as sharing sessions conducted during the workshop.

Figure 3: Activities conducted during the workshop were well-received by the participants.

Figure 4: Participants listening intently during the tour of the ASMC Operations Centre.

August 18, 2021

Webinar on Hotspot and Haze Assessment (H2A) for the southern ASEAN region (1 – 2 July 2021)

The ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) conducted a Webinar on Hotspot and Haze Assessment (H2A) for the southern ASEAN region over two days from 1 to 2 July 2021. The Webinar was conducted under the ASMC’s 5-year Regional Capability Programme which was launched in 2018 to address the priority training needs of the ASEAN region.
The Webinar welcomed 14 regional participants from the environmental policy, air quality monitoring, fire and rescue services and meteorological sectors. The participants shared actively on their country’s monitoring of fire and haze and were keen to learn from ASMC on the use of satellites for hotspot and haze monitoring and detection. The workshop included lectures on dispersion modelling, seasonal and sub-seasonal prediction products, as well as latest information of new satellites and satellite products for hotspots and haze monitoring available on the ASMC website.

Participants with the ASMC meteorologists and research scientists in a group photo.

Ms Razatul Aini Binti Razlan, from the Department of Environment in Malaysia shared that the lectures were relevant and useful, and she would recommend the programme to her country officers. She hoped similar training workshops in the future would be opened to more participants and emphasise on the interpretation of satellite images.

Screen shots of the lectures conducted by ASMC meteorologists and research scientists.

In the wake of restrictions brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, all of ASMC’s workshops under the 5-year Regional Capability Programme including workshops on Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP), ASEAN Climate Data, Analysis and Projections (ARCDAP) and the ASEAN Climate Outlook Forum (ASEANCOF) have moved to an online platform to continuously engage and raise regional capabilities in weather forecasting, subseasonal-to-seasonal prediction, climate change projections and haze monitoring.

February 26, 2021

Webinar on Fires/Smoke Haze Monitoring and Detection for the Mekong sub-region (12-13 January 2021)

ASMC Webinar on Fires/Smoke Haze Monitoring and Detection for the Mekong sub-region (12 – 13 January 2021)

ASMC conducted its first Webinar on “Fires/Smoke Haze Monitoring and Detection for the Mekong sub-region” on 12 – 13 January 2021, as part of ASMC’s 5-year Regional Capability Building Programme. The webinar welcomed a total of 15 participants from Myanmar, Cambodia and Thailand, and included lectures on the use of satellites for fires and haze monitoring, smoke haze dispersion modelling and seasonal and sub-seasonal predictions. The concepts were reinforced through case studies, and a virtual hands-on session facilitated by ASMC’s trainers. The webinar concluded with a review of the current weather and smoke haze situation and the outlook for the Mekong sub-region. The participants also discussed hotspot detection related issues associated with the transition from the use of NOAA-19 to the NOAA-20 satellite.

Figure 1: Examples of the poster and satellite images (with overlay grids) used during the webinar hands-on session where participants were invited to identify possible areas with smoke haze.

The workshop included lectures for participants to gain foundational understanding of topics such as weather systems in Southeast Asia, sub-seasonal and seasonal predictions, interpretation of satellite imageries, data analysis methodologies, and dispersion modelling as a predictive tool. The lectures were supplemented with hands-on exercises in interpretation of satellite data. The participants also had a short attachment at the ASMC Forecast Office, where they worked with ASMC meteorologists to carry out near real-time assessment of the fire and haze situation in the Mekong sub-region.

Figure 2: A sample of ASMC’s Haze dispersion modelling output of smoke haze in the ASEAN region.

Ms May Yadanar Oo, a webinar participant from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation (MONREC), Myanmar shared that the topics presented in the webinar were relevant and useful, particularly the lectures on the detection of hotspot and smoke haze using satellites. She hoped that future webinars could continue to include similar topics.

ASMC will be conducting two more workshops in the first half of 2021 as part of ASMC’s 5-year (2018-2022) regional capability building efforts for the ASEAN region, namely the 3rd ASEAN Regional Climate Data, Analysis and Projections (ARCDAP-3) and the 2nd lecture series on Weather Prediction by Numerical Methods (WPNM-M2).

Figure 3: Snapshots of some participants with ASMC trainers at the ASMC Webinar on “Fires/Smoke Haze Monitoring and Detection for Mekong sub-region” held on 12 – 13 January 2021.