IGAD Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC) has been in the demonstration phase as a candidate to be fully designated as the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Regional Climate Centre (RCC) of excellence in provision of climate services to national and regional users.

In the demonstration phase, ICPAC, hereafter known as IGAD Regional Climate Centre (IGAD-RCC), continue to provide regional climate forecasts and other products that support regional and national climate activities, and thereby strengthen the capacity of WMO Members in the Greater Horn of Africa region to deliver better climate services to users.

WMO RCCs perform the following set of mandatory functions covering the domains of long-range forecasting (LRF), climate monitoring, data services and training.

Operational Activities for Long-range Forecasting
Interpret and assess relevant LRF products from GPCs, distribute relevant information to RCC Users, and provide feedback to GPCs. Generate regional and sub-regional tailored products, relevant to RCC user needs, including seasonal outlooks etc. Perform verification of RCC quantitative LRF products, including the exchange of basic forecast and hindcast data. Generate consensus statement on regional or sub-regional forecasts.

Operational Activities for Climate Monitoring
Perform climate diagnostics including analysis of climate variability and extremes, at regional and sub-regional scales. Establish a historical reference climatology for the region and/or sub-regions. Implement a regional climate watch.

Operational Data Services, to support operational LRF and climate monitoring
Develop quality controlled regional climate datasets, gridded where applicable. Provide climate database and archiving services.

Training in the use of operational RCC products and services
Provide information on methodologies and product specifications for mandatory RCC products, and provide guidance on their use. Coordinate training for RCC Users in interpretation and use of mandatory RCC products.