We are very sad to hear of the passing of Dr Venkatachalam “Ram” Ramaswamy. Ram served on the Joint Scientific Committee of the World Climate Research Program and for several years as part of APARC (formally SPARC). Since 1992 he has been a Lead Author or Coordinating Lead Author for each of the IPCC's assessment reports, and a member of the WMO Panel on Polar and High-mountain Observations, Research and Services (PHORS).  He was a three-time recipient of the WMO Norbert-Gerbier MUMM International Award from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) which he received as a co-author of papers published in 2013, 2003, and 1998. We pass our condolences to Ram's family and many colleagues and friends.
Ram's memorial website: https://lestermemorialhome.com/obituaries/venkatachalam-ramaswamy

Photo: GFDL

We are pleased to share a new publication from the WCRP Academy: Batino, L., Lennard, C., Jamero, M.L., Hart, M.A., Stadler, L., van der Wel, N., et al. (2026). Assessing the training needs of climate scientists: The role of the World Climate Research Programme Academy. PLOS Climate.

The paper presents the results of two global stocktake surveys and a series of interviews examining the availability, accessibility and needs for climate science training around the world. It highlights significant disparities in access to training opportunities, particularly between the Global North and Global South, and identifies areas where additional support is needed to strengthen climate science capacity.

To know more read the full article.

CORDEX is launching new Task Teams (TT) to address key scientific challenges in:

1. Convection-Permitting Regional Climate Modelling - to define and implement a strategy around its diverse Convection Permitting Regional Climate Modelling (CPRCM) activities (also called km-scale regional modelling).
2. CORDEX-CORE - to coordinate, perform and analyse the new CORDEX-CORE-CMIP6 and CMIP7 experiments, building on the CORDEX-CORE simulation protocol.
3. Machine Learning - to coordinate and advance machine learning (ML)–based downscaling activities within the CORDEX framework in close link with other CORDEX activities

To nominate someone (including self-nomination), please complete the application form. Deadline: July 31, 2026 (any time zone).

The Working Group on Numerical Experimentation (WGNE) will organise the 7th hybrid Workshop on Systematic Errors in Weather and Earth System  Models, to be hosted by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) in Pune, India on 15th-19th February 2027.

The deadline for abstract submission is 31 July 2026.

A new version (v3) of the CORDEX-CMIP6 archiving specifications for dynamical downscaling are now available to be applied for the upcoming publication of CORDEX-CMIP6 data in ESGF Next Generation (ESGF-NG). This new version introduces minor revisions aimed at resolving inconsistencies identified by the community, and to make explicit some existing practices in the community; notably, to enable the publication of ocean and other model component output on different grids. It also points to the quality checking tools that can be used to test the model output for compliance with the specifications. A major change is the strong recommendation to repack the internal structure of all output files, as a final step in the post-processing. Failing to do so will hinder data replication and efficient use of CORDEX data on ESGF-NG. This release replaces the previous version from May 2025 and should be used for all CORDEX-CMIP6 dynamical downscaling outputs.

Find the updated archiving specifications document in Zenodo and visit the CORDEX-CMIP6 Archiving Specifications for Dynamical Dowscaling webpage 

In a publication in Geoscientific Model Development (van Vuuren et al., 2026), the ScenarioMIP team describes a new set of global emissions scenarios that will form the basis for climate research as part of the ongoing phase of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project – CMIP7. Two important changes from the CMIP6 scenarios are that, during the 21st century, the highest global emissions scenario is now lower than in previous scenario sets, while the preliminary estimate of global temperature change associated with the lowest emissions scenario no longer remains below 1.5°C. The new high-end scenario still leads to substantial climate change, and uncertainties in the climate system mean that global warming could still exceed 4°C by 2100.

To know more, visit the CMIP7 scenarios explainer webpage

The WCRP Earth System Modelling and Observations (ESMO)core project is seeking applications from enthusiastic individuals with expertise and experience in model development activities to join the the Working Group on Coupled Modelling (WGCM). This is an opportunity to join this group of experts and leave your mark in advancing the Earth system model development activities within the World Climate Research Programme (WCRP). If you are eager to share your expertise with leading researchers, contribute to shaping new initiatives, and collaborate with new colleagues, we invite you to apply by June 30, 2026.

To know more and to apply visit the open call for WGCM members webpage.

The Coupled Model Intercomparision Project (CMIP) is pleased to announce an open call for new members and leadership nominations for Fresh Eyes on CMIP,  CMIP's early career scientist group. This is an exciting opportunity for early career researchers (ECRs) to contribute to and help shape CMIP activities, particularly as CMIP7 progresses. 

We are currently inviting applications for a range of leadership roles (deadline for all leadership applications and nominations: 30 May 2026) , and we also warmly encourage ECRs who are not seeking leadership positions to join Fresh Eyes as members.

More about CMIP Fresh Eyes initiative. For full details, eligibility criteria and application links, visit the CMIP's Early career application website .

The WCRP Earth System Modelling and Observations (ESMO) core project is seeking members to join the new ESMO panel on Subseasonal to Seasonal Prediction (S2SP). his is an opportunity to join a group of experts contributing to the understanding and prediction of anomalous conditions and extremes across the Earth system on subseasonal timescales (from two weeks to two months ahead). If you are eager to share your expertise with leading researchers, help shape new initiatives, and collaborate with colleagues, we invite you to apply before June 1, 2026 - 23:59 CEST.

To know more and to apply visit the Subseasonal to Seasonal Prediction (S2SP) open call webpage.

The World Climate Research Programme (WCRP) invites applications for the position of Programme Manager for the International Project Office for Coordinated Regional Downscaling Experiment (CORDEX-IPO), to be hosted jointly by the European Space Agency (ESA) and University of Cape Town (UCT).

CORDEX goals are: 

• To better understand relevant regional/local climate phenomena, their variability and changes, through downscaling.
• To evaluate and improve regional climate downscaling models and techniques
• To produce coordinated sets of regional downscaled projections worldwide
• To foster communication and knowledge exchange with users of regional climate information

The Programme Manager you will be responsible for supporting coordination, planning, development, and implementation of the activities of CORDEX and leading on implementation of operations of the IPO as well as facilitating active CORDEX IPO liaison between the climate observations and modelling communities.

To know more about the position and to apply, see the details available in the call. Application closing date: May 30, 2026

Join us in the upcoming Safe Landing Climates (SLC) and Research on Climate Intervention WCRP Lighthouse webinar: "Exploring climate interventions and the science-policy interface", on May 25, 2026 (14:00 - 15:30 UTC). Click here to register. 

To know more click on the heading above.

The APARC (Atmospheric Processes and their Role in Climate) Core Project General Assembly will take place at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology in Pune (India) and online, from 12–16 October 2026. An Early Career Researcher (ECR) event will be organized on 11 October 2026 at IITM, Pune, specifically for early career researchers and students.

Interested participants are invited to submit an abstract of their proposed paper (oral as well as poster) by 30^th April 2026. The abstract (of 200 to 300 words) should be submitted after registering at https://aparc2026.tropmet.res.in/login.

To know more about the conference, please visit the APARC General Assembly website.

We are pleased to announce that the 2026 call for nominations to the International Science Council (ISC) Fellowship is now open. Nominations for the next intake of ISC Fellows can be submitted by 22 May 2026 and the new Fellows will be announced in July 2026. The ISC Fellowship recognizes scientists, science-policy leaders and distinguished individuals who have made outstanding contributions to advancing science as a global public good, particularly at the international level.

Further information including the brochure, terms of reference for the Fellowship, nomination criteria and the nomination form are available on the ISC website.

For more information, click on the heading above.

To know more click on the heading above.

• 10 March to 9 July : Early registration
• 15 April: Abstract submission deadline

To know more visit the Symposium website.

More than 60 researchers, practitioners, operational agencies and industry representatives from across regions gathered for the GPEX Multi-stakeholder Workshop on 5–6 March to discuss the latest advances in precipitation science and the evolving role of the WCRP Global Precipitation EXperiment (GPEX).

The discussions went beyond the science itself. A key focus was how we translate advances in precipitation research into knowledge, information and services that stakeholders can understand, use and act upon- from robust science to better risk-informed decision making.

A turning point as we shape the next phase of GPEX development- strengthening collaboration across research institutions, operational centres, space agencies and other partners.

Click on the heading above for more information about the outcomes of the workshop.