SubscribeCessation of T.4 charts by WAFCs London and Washington
Users of World Area Forecast Centre (WAFC) products, including flight briefing companies, Air Traffic Control Centres, Civil Aviation Authorities and national meteorological services, will soon all benefit from forthcoming changes and improvements to the format of the information they receive.
On 1st July 2005 the World Area Forecast Centres (WAFC) in London and Washington will cease the distribution of wind and temperature charts in T.4 facsimile format. The date of cessation for significant weather charts is yet to be agreed by ICAO but is likely to be 1st December 2006. After these dates these charts will only be available in BUFR and GRIB-encoded data, respectively.
Users will therefore need WAFS software that conforms to ICAO and WMO requirements to view this information. WAFC London has been tasked with reviewing available software and producing a list of compliant software packages that users will be able to access via the ICAO web site and through other publications.
WAFC London already has considerable experience in this area as a result of carrying out earlier reviews of the SADIS software packages. The initial review of software will be done at no charge to the software providers.
Additional consultancy services
WAFC London has agreed to provide states, software developers and other users of WAFS data with advice and assistance to ensure compliance. These will be available on a commercial basis and include:
- working with you to understand your needs and ensure your software is ready for BUFR and GRIB by July 2005;
- reviewing your WAFS products, comparing against standards and advising on what modifications may be needed;
- providing guidance to assist your construction of WAFS visualisation software that delivers products that are fully compliant with ICAO and WMO standards.
For further information on future WAFS compliance requirements or for more details on how we can help you meet these standards, please contact Richard Orrell at the Met Office (richard.orrell@metoffice.com).
