Concept Note and Agenda
Pacific Islands Climate Outlook Forum – 18 (PICOF-18)
21-22 April 2026
Hybrid: Nadi, Fiji and via Zoom
The Pacific Islands Climate Outlook Forum (PICOF) is based on the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Regional Climate Outlook Forum concept.
The PICOF is co-organised by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Pacific Regional Climate Centre Network (RCC-N), with technical support provided by the Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BOM), Earth Sciences New Zealand (ESNZ), APEC Climate Centre (APCC), Meteo-France, US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Pacific Community (SPC) and the University of Hawaii as members of the Pacific RCC-N Node for Long-Range Forecasting in partnership with the Pacific Islands Climate Services (PICS) Panel. The latter ensures the needs of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs), and their stakeholders are met. The sponsor of PICOF-18 is SPREP CLIMSA. Ongoing BOM, SPREP and SPC support is largely funded by COSPPac.
Additional information on PICOF and the WMO Pacific RCC Network is available via the Pacific Met Desk Website
Overall objective: To discuss and produce objective, user-relevant regional climate and ocean outlook guidance in real time to support Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs) NMHSs produce national climate and oceans climate information for their national stakeholders, with the ultimate aim to reduce climate-related risks and support sustainable development for the coming season in sectors of critical socioeconomic significance.
Objectives:
Review the climate and oceanic conditions in the western Pacific region for the period November 2025 to April 2026;
Present and discuss long-term trends and projections for selected climate and ocean variables;
Present monthly and seasonal climate, ocean and tropical cyclone outlooks for the Southwest Pacific region for the period May to October 2026;
Discuss and review confidence/skill associated with May to October 2026 outlooks based on the discussions associated with 1-3.
Expected Outcomes:
Improved understanding of climate and ocean monitoring and prediction specifically for the target monitoring and prediction periods.
Enhanced understanding of outlook confidence/skill for the period in question;
A regional PICOF statement containing climate, ocean and tropical cyclone outlooks for May to October 2026 which NMHSs can use as guide to develop their national statements;
A PICOF-18 report;
Content for regional partner and NMHSs climate and ocean bulletins as well as media and social media releases.
