Offered Papers Theme B: Grassland and the Environment

Description

The existing forecast systems such as the Southern Oscillation Index (SOI) phase system (Stone et al., 1996) and the Sea Surface Temperature (SST) phase system (Drosdowsky 2002) produce rolling three monthly forecasts with lead-times of either zero (SOI phase) or 1 month (SST phase). Both forecasts are reissued monthly. This approach leaves little time for pastoralists to consider the forecast and then make changes to management decisions. In addition the forecast period can often be of little interest because of the seasonal pattern of rainfall.

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Targeted Seasonal Climate Forecasts Offer More to Pastoralists

The existing forecast systems such as the Southern Oscillation Index (SOI) phase system (Stone et al., 1996) and the Sea Surface Temperature (SST) phase system (Drosdowsky 2002) produce rolling three monthly forecasts with lead-times of either zero (SOI phase) or 1 month (SST phase). Both forecasts are reissued monthly. This approach leaves little time for pastoralists to consider the forecast and then make changes to management decisions. In addition the forecast period can often be of little interest because of the seasonal pattern of rainfall.