Number 102, March 2009
The Island
Climate Update
Collaborators
Pacific Islands National
Meteorological Services
Australian Bureau of
Meteorology
Meteo France
NOAA National
Weather Service
NOAA Climate
Prediction Centre
(CPC)
International Research
Institute for Climate
and Society
European Centre
for Medium Range
Weather Forecasts
UK Met Office
World Meteorological
Organization
MetService of
New Zealand
February’s climate
•
The South Pacific Convergence Zone (SPCZ) was displaced
southwest of its normal position and was very active.
•
Very suppressed convection near Western Kiribati and south of the
Equator from Nauru east to the Northern Cook Islands.
•
Normal to well above normal rainfall for many areas in the western
region of the South Pacific, with many a new record established in
Townsville, Australia.
El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO), seasonal
rainfall, and sea surface temperature forecasts
•
La Niña-like conditions exist in the tropical Pacific. Many climate
models project continuation of La Niña through to the end of
summer 2009.
•
Below normal rainfall is forecast for Tuvalu, Tokelau, and the
Northern Cook Islands.
•
Above normal rainfall is expected for the Austral Islands, the
Southern Cook Islands, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, Tonga, and Papua
New Guinea.
•
Normal to above normal SSTs are forecast for the southwestern half
of the southwest Pacific region. Normal to below normal SSTs are
forecast for the northeast half of the southwest Pacific.
The Island Climate Update, No. 102, March 2009
Page 2
Climate developments in February 2009
Outgoing Long-wave Radiation (OLR) anomalies, in Wm
2
are represented
by hatched areas. High radiation levels (yellow) are typically associated
with clearer skies and lower rainfall, while cloudy conditions lower the
OLR (blue) and typically result in higher rainfall. The February 2009
position of the South Pacific Convergence Zone (SPCZ) was displaced
southwest of its normal position, and much more coherent than last
month. The average position of the SPCZ is identified by the dashed
green line, which is based on mean January rainfall for the South
Pacific. Mean sea level (MSL) pressure anomalies (in hPa) are shown
as grey lines.
-90 -70 -50 -30 -20 -10 10 20 30 50 70 90
Austra
NewZealand
Fiji
NewCaledonia
Vanuatu
Solomon Is
Pitcairn
Samoa
Tonga
Niue
EKiribati
Papua N wGui a
NCook Is
S Cook Is
Society Is
WKiribati
LineIs
Tuvalu
Marquesas Is
Austral Is
Marshall Is
Rawaki Is
Tokelau Is
Nauru
FedStates of Micronesia
TuamotuIs
EQUATOR
Wallis & Futuna
Soil moisture in February 2009
Estimated soil moisture conditions at the end of February 2009, using
monthly rainfall data. Soil moisture projections for individual Pacific
Island countries are dependent on data availability at the time of
publication.
E
stimates of soil moisture shown in the map (right) are
based on monthly rainfall for one station in each country.
Currently there are not many sites in the water balance model,
but more stations will be included in the future.
The information displayed is based on a simple water balance
technique to determine soil moisture levels. Addition of
moisture to the available water already in the soil comes
from rainfall, with losses via evapotranspiration. Monthly
rainfall and evapotranspiration are used to determine the
soil moisture level and its changes. These soil moisture
calculations were made at the end of the month, and for
practical purposes, generalisations were made about the
available water capacity of the soils at each site.
Nadi (Fiji), Hanan (Niue), Port Vila (Vanuatu), Rarotonga
(Southern Cook Islands), and Apia (Samoa) project moist
(at or near field capacity) soil moisture conditions. Soils are
moderate for the time of year at Kanton (Kiribati).
T
he South Pacific Convergence Zone (SPCZ) activity was
displaced south and west of normal during February,
continuing from the trend last month. A region of enhanced
rainfall due to intensified convection was observed over
northeastern Australia and Papua New Guinea. High rainfall
due to an east coast low significantly impacted New South
Wales, Australia during the middle of the month, however
the most important event in Australia was the severe heat
wave that occured from 6–8 Feburary and the associated
bush fires in Victoria. Suppressed convection intensified
during near the Equator during February, and encompassed
the region northeast of the Solomon Islands that included
Nauru, Tuvalu, and Tokelau. There was also suppressed
convection near the Pitcairn Islands. The regional circulation
was characterised by more frequent high pressure across the
southern and central portions of the South Pacific; and lower
than normal pressures to the northwest of New Zealand and
to the northeast of the Marquesas.
There were few high rainfall records during February, only
Townsville, Australia reported a new monthly high of 989
mm (339 % of normal). Vanuatu and New Caledonia received
well above normal rainfall for the month. In particular, the
north Tasman Sea region to the west of New Caledonia and
north of New Zealand had well above normal rainfall due
to a sub-tropical low pressure system and Tropical Cyclone
Innes that occurred in mid–to–late February.
In general, normal or below normal rainfall occurred for the
central and northeastern parts of the south Pacific during
February. Low rainfall totals (30–60% of normal) persisted
for many stations in the Cook Islands, Kiribati, and French
Polynesia. Hiva Hoa in the Marquesas Islands received 78
mm of rainfall (50% of normal), while Nanumea, Tuvalu
received only 13mm of rainfall (5% of normal). Elsewhere
in the eastern half of the southwest Pacific, the stations in
the Tuamotu archipelago and the Austral Islands all recorded
normal or below normal rainfall, except at Tubuai, which
received a record high total of 290 mm (166% of normal).
Northern New Zealand experienced a relatively wet month,
with the northern part of the country recording well above
normal rainfall (140–230% of normal). The Solomon Islands
had a relatively normal month, except at Honiara and
Wet
Moderate
Dry
Wet
Moderate
Dry
Wet
Moderate
Dry
Wet
Moderate
Dry
February 2009
February 2008
Island Group
Location
Rainfall
(mm)
% of
avg
Comments
Australia
Townsville
989
339
Record high;
Highest monthly
total in the region
New Caledonia
Belep
402
244
Very high
New Caledonia
La Tontouta
401
295
Very high
Solomon Islands Henderson
600
211
Very high
Kiribati
Kanton
27
26
Very low
Tuvalu
Nanumea
13
5
Very low
Henderson.
Australia
New Zealand
Fiji
New Caledonia
Vanuatu
Solomon Is
Samoa
Tonga
Niue
E Kiribati
Papua New Guinea
S Cook Is
N Cook Is
Society Is
W Kiribati
Line Is
Tuvalu
Marquesas Is
Austral Is
Marshall Is
Rawaki Is
Tokelau Is
Nauru
Fed. States of
Micronesia
Tuamotu Is
Pitcairn
EQUATOR
July 2008
July 2007
Wet
Moderate
Dry
Wet
Moderate
Dry
The Island Climate Update, No. 102, March 2009
Page 3
Mean sea surface temperatures (ºC) for February 2009
Sea surface temperature anomalies (ºC) for February2009
Forecast validation: December 2008 to February 2009
-3 -2.5 -2 -1.5 -1 -0.5 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3
Australia
New Zealand
Fiji
New Caledonia
Vanuatu
Solomon Is
Samoa
Tonga
Niue
E Kiribati
Papua New Guinea
S Cook Is
N Cook Is
Society Is
W Kiribati
Line Is
Tuvalu
Marquesas Is
Austral Is
Marshall Is
Rawaki Is
Tokelau Is
Nauru
Fed States of Micronesia
Tuamotu Is
Pitcairn
EQUATOR
Wallis & Futuna
10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32
Australia
New Zealand
Fiji
New Caledonia
Vanuatu
Solomon Is
Samoa
Tonga
Niue
E Kiribati
Papua New Guinea
S Cook Is
N Cook Is
Society Is
W Kiribati
Line Is
Tuvalu
Marquesas Is
Austral Is
Marshall Is
Rawaki Is
Tokelau Is
Nauru
Fed States of Micronesia
Tuamotu Is
Pitcairn
EQUATOR
Wallis & Futuna
El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO)
D
uring February, Moderate La Niña conditions
continue in the equatorial Pacific Ocean and
atmosphere. The SOI remained firmly positive at
+1.5 for the month (December – February mean
of +1.3). Enhanced easterly trade winds west of the
Date Line have weakened during February, but are
still stronger than normal.
SST anomalies in February were negative across
much of the Equatorial Pacific: NINO3 and NINO4
anomalies were both around –0.7°C for the month
(DJF means –0.4°C and –0.6°C, respectively). There
is some indication from ocean temperature profile
monitoring that the negative SST anomalies may now
be easing, though sea surface height anomalies still
show a clear La Niña pattern. Equatorial subsurface
anomalies continue to show a warm anomaly in the
west (+3°C centred near 160°E, 100–200m depth)
and a cool anomaly in the east (–3°C near the South
American coast, 0–100m depth).
Tropical Pacific convection and precipitation was
suppressed near the Date Line, just south of the
Equator, and was enhanced across the Tropics at
Australian longitudes during February. The TRMM
ENSO precipitation index was –0.89 as of 24
February. The MJO is weak and slow-moving over
the Indian Ocean, and is expected to remain so into
early March.
The set of global climate models assessed by NIWA
indicate neutral ENSO conditions will prevail during
March – May, and all but one model shows neutral
conditions in June - August. The NCEP discussion
of 5 February indicates a continuation of La Niña
conditions in the coming three month period. The
IRI summary of 19 February indicates a 55–60%
percent of La Niña conditions persisting through
April (40% chance of neutral conditions, 0% for El
Niño), reducing to 30–35% for April – June.
A
region of suppressed convection was forecast for the
central and eastern Southwest Pacific, and Western
Kiribati, Tuvalu, Tokelau, the Northern Cook Islands, and
the Society Islands, were expected to receive below normal
rainfall. Near–to–below normal rainfall was expected for
Samoa, Eastern Kiribati, the Tuamotu archipelago, and the
Marquesas Islands. Above normal rainfall was forecast for
Papua New Guinea, New Caledonia, Tonga, and Niue. Near
or above normal rainfall was forecast for the Austral Islands,
Fiji, the Southern Cook Islands, and Pitcairn Island. No clear
precipitation guidance was offered for the Solomon Islands
or Wallis & Futuna.
The rainfall outlook for the December 2008 – February
2009 period was calculated for 16 island groups (four
countries did not report rainfall values). The global station
‘hit’ rate was 70%, 3% higher than average for forecasts
made during December and 9% higher than the average for
all months combined. Rainfall was overprojected for most
of New Caledonia, Tonga, parts of French Polynesia, and
underprojected for Western Kiribati and Samoa. Overall, the
strike rate for all forecasts combined was 66% for the ICU
during 2008.
Tropical Cyclone Activity and Guidance
T
ropical Cyclone (TC) Innes, the second to form in the southwest Pacific during the 2008–09 season, developed on 13
February as a tropical depression east of Fiji. On 17 February, after passing over Vanuatu, and tracking to the southwest
across New Caledonia, Innes was upgraded to a TC. No significant impacts or loss of life were reported from this system.
Subsequent to the extropical exit of TC Innes, the dying tropical depression merged with a low pressure system to the east of
Australia. This system then generated significant rainfall in northern New Zealand. Countries west of the Date Line, including
Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands, and New Zealand, and New Caledonia still have elevated risk for the remainder of the TC
season.
The Island Climate Update, No. 102, March 2009
Page 4
Tropical Pacific rainfall – February 2009
Rainfall totalling 200% or more is considered well above average. Totals of 40% or less are normally well below average. Highlighted values are
new records.
Data are published as received and may be subject to change after undergoing quality control checks. N/A denotes data unavailability at the time
of publishing, and * denotes synoptic values.
Territory and
station station
name
February 2009
rainfall
total (mm)
February 2009
percent of
average
Australia
Cairns Airport
638
140
Townsville Airport
989
339
Brisbane Airport
132
77
Sydney Airport
128
121
Cook Islands
Penrhyn
178
52
Aitutaki
172
73
Rarotonga Airport
108
53
Fiji
Rotuma Island
263
82
Udu Point
247
99
Nadi Airport
243
83
Nausori
255
95
French Polynesia
Hiva Hoa, Atuona
78
50
Bora Bora
114
48
Tahiti – Faa’a
130
60
Tuamotu, Takaroa
174
90
Gambier, Rikitea
Tubuai
290
166
Rapa
113
57
Kiribati
174
94
Tarawa
103
57
Kanton
27
26
New Zealand
Kaitaia
177
230
Whangarei Airport
137
144
Auckland Airport
116
176
New Caledonia
Ile Art, Belep
402
244
Koumac
359
236
Ouloup
183
92
Ouanaham
364
150
Poindimie
722
204
La Roche
205
96
La Tontouta
401
295
Noumea
173
140
Moue
427
237
Territory and
station station
name
February 2009
rainfall
total (mm)
February 2009
percent of
average
Niue
Hanan Airport
338
143
Liku
196
79
North Tasman
Lord Howe Island
75
65
Norfolk Island
206
254
Raoul Island
198
134
Samoa
Faleolo Airport
194
52
Apia
154
42
Nafanua
157
N/A
Afiamalu
221
N/A
Maota
194
N/A
Solomon Islands
Taro
261
86
Munda
315
87
Auki
422
111
Honiara
497
170
Henderson
600
211
Kira Kira
Santa Cruz, Lata
487
123
Tonga
Niuafo’ou
N/A
N/A
Mata’aho Airport
125
49
Lupepau’u
165
76
Salote Airport
185
95
Nuku’alofa
74
35
Fua’amotu Airport
144
65
Tuvalu
Nanumea
13
5
Nui Island
N/A
N/A
Funafuti
N/A
N/A
Nuilakita
N/A
N/A
Vanuatu
Sola
409
117
Pekoa
399
127
Lamap
340
133
Port Vila
345
130
Tanna/Whitegrass
356
N/A
Aneityum
228
77
The Island Climate Update, No. 102, March 2009
Page 5
Rainfall outlook map for March to May 2009
Tropical rainfall and SST outlook: March to May 2009
NOTE: Rainfall and sea surface termperature estimates for Pacific Islands for the next three months are given in the tables below. The tercile probabilities (e.g.,
20:30:50) are derived from the averages of several global climate models. They correspond to the odds of the observed rainfall or sea surface temperatures being in
the lowest one third of the distribution, the middle one third, or the highest one third of the distribution. For the long term average, it is equally likely (33% chance)
that conditions in any of the three terciles will occur. *If conditions are climatology, we expect an equal chance of the rainfall being in any tercile.
D
uring the March–May 2009 forecast period, a region
of suppressed convection is likely to encompass
the central and eastern Southwest Pacific, extending to
the southeast from Tuvalu to the Northern Cook Islands,
including Tokelau, where below normal rainfall is expected.
Near–to–below normal rainfall is expected for Samoa,
Eastern Kiribati, and Western Kiribati.
Enhanced convection is expected to extend southeast from,
Papua New Guinea, and include New Caledonia, Vanuatu,
Tonga, the Southern Cook Islands and the Austral Islands,
where above normal rainfall is forecast. Near or above nor-
mal rainfall is forecast for the Fiji and Niue. Normal rainfall
is anticipated for the Marquesas, Pitcairn Island, and also the
Society Islands. No clear precipitation guidance is offered
for the Solomon Islands, Tuamotu, or Wallis & Futuna for the
three-month forecast period.
SSTs are expected to be above normal around eastern
Papua New Guinea, and surrounding Vanuatu, Fiji and
New Caledonia. Near normal or above normal SSTs are also
expected for Niue, Tonga, Wallis & Futuna, the Southern
Cook Islands, the Society Islands, Austral Islands, and
Pitcairn Island. Near normal or below normal SSTs are
forecast for the Tuamotu archipelago, the Northern Cook
Islands, Tuvalu, Tokelau, and Eastern & Western Kiribati.
The confidence in the forecast model skill for this seasonal
rainfall outlook is moderately high for most Pacific Island
countries. In the past, the average region-wide hit rate for
forecasts issued in March is 63%, 1% lower than the long-
term average for all months combined. The SST forecast
confidence is moderate–to–high for this period.
Island Group
Rainfall Outlook
Outlook confidence
Austral Islands
20:35:45 (Above)
Moderate-High
Cook Islands (Southern)
20:35:45 (Above)
Moderate-High
New Caledonia
20:35:45 (Above)
Moderate-High
Papua New Guinea
20:35:45 (Above)
Moderate-High
Tonga
20:35:45 (Above)
Moderate-High
Vanuatu
20:35:45 (Above)
Moderate-High
Fiji
25:35:40 (Near or Above)
Moderate
Niue
25:35:40 (Near or Above)
Moderate-High
Marquesas
30:40:30 (Near normal)
High
Pitcairn Island
30:40:30 (Near normal)
High
Society Islands
30:40:30 (Near normal)
High
Solomon Islands
35:35:30 (Climatology)
Moderate
Tuamotu Islands
35:35:30 (Climatology)
Moderate
Wallis & Futuna
35:35:30 (Climatology)
Moderate
Kiribati (Eastern)
40:35:25 (Near or Below)
Moderate
Kiribati (Western)
40:35:25 (Near or Below)
Moderate-High
Samoa
40:35:25 (Near or Below)
Moderate-High
Cook Islands (Northern)
45:35:20 (Below)
Moderate-High
Tokelau
45:35:20 (Below)
Moderate-High
Tuvalu
50:30:20 (Below)
Moderate-High
Australia
New Zealand
Fiji
New Caledonia
Vanuatu
Solomon Is
Pitcairn
Samoa
Tonga
Niue
E Kiribati
Papua New Guinea
N Cook Is
S Cook Is
Society Is
W Kiribati
Line Is
Tuvalu
Marquesas Is
Austral Is
Marshall Is
Rawaki Is
Tokelau Is
Nauru
Fed States of Micronesia
Tuamotu Is
EQUATOR
Wallis & Futuna
NO
FORECAST
SST outlook map for March to May 2009
Island Group
SST Outlook
Outlook confidence
Fiji
20:35:45 (Above)
Moderate-High
New Caledonia
20:35:45 (Above)
Moderate-High
Papua New Guinea
20:35:45 (Above)
Moderate-High
Vanuatu
20:35:45 (Above)
Moderate-High
Austral Islands
25:35:40 (Near or above)
Moderate
Cook Islands (Southern)
25:35:40 (Near or above)
Moderate
Niue
25:35:40 (Near or above)
Moderate-High
Pitcairn Island
25:35:40 (Near or above)
Moderate
Society Islands
25:35:40 (Near or above)
Moderate-High
Tonga
25:35:40 (Near or above)
Moderate-High
Wallis & Futuna
25:35:40 (Near or above)
Moderate-High
Samoa
25:40:35 (Near or above)
Moderate
Marquesas
30:40:30 (Near Normal)
Moderate
Solomon Islands
30:40:30 (Near Normal)
Moderate
Tuvalu
35:35:30 (Climatology)
Moderate-High
Cook Islands (Northern)
35:40:25 (Near or Below)
Moderate-High
Tokelau
35:40:25 (Near or Below)
Moderate-High
Tuamotu Islands
35:40:25 (Near or Below)
Moderate
Kiribati (Eastern)
40:35:25 (Near or Below)
Moderate-High
Kiribati (Western)
40:35:25 (Near or Below)
Moderate-High
Australia
NewZealand
Fiji
NewCaledonia
Vanuatu
Solomon Is
Pitcairn
Samoa
Tonga
Niue
E Kiribati
Papua NewGuinea
NCook Is
S Cook Is
Society Is
WKiribati
Line Is
Tuvalu
Marquesas Is
Austral Is
Marshall Is
Rawaki Is
Tokelau Is
Nauru
Fed States of Micronesia
Tuamotu Is
EQUATOR
Wallis &Futuna
Near
Normal
Below normal
Near or below
Near or above
Above normal
The Island Climate Update, No. 102, March 2009
Page 6
Acknowledgements
This bulletin is produced by NIWA and made possible
with financial support from the New Zealand Agency
for International Development (NZAID), with additional
support from the Pacific Islands Applied Geosciences
Commission (SOPAC) and the Secretariat for the
Pacific Regional Environmental Programme (SPREP).
This summary is prepared as soon as possible following the
end of the month, once the data and information are received
from the Pacific Island National Meteorological Services
(NMHS). Delays in data collection and communication
occasionally arise. While every effort is made to verify
observational data, NIWA does not guarantee the accuracy
and reliability of the analysis and forecast information
presented, and accepts no liability for any losses
incurred through the use of this bulletin and its content.
The contents of The Island Climate Update may be freely
disseminated, provided the source is acknowledged.
Requests for Pacific Island climate data should be directed
to the Meteorological Services concerned.
Cover Photo:
Wendy St George,
NIWA
Visit The Island Climate Update at:
www.niwascience.co.nz/ncc/icu
Your comments and ideas about The Island Climate
Update are welcome. Please contact:
Dr Andrew Lorrey, NIWA,
41 Market Place, Auckland, New Zealand
E-mail:
a.lorrey@niwa.co.nz
Forecasts:
Dr. Andrew Lorrey (South Pacific rainfall and SST forecasts) and
the NIWA National Climate Centre (ENSO)
ICU Editors:
Andrew Lorrey Email:
a.lorrey@niwa.co.nz
Jim Salinger Email:
j.salinger@niwa.co.nz
Harriet Palmer Email:
h.palmer@niwa.co.nz
Sources of South Pacific rainfall data
This bulletin is a multi-national project, with important
collaboration from the following Meteorological Services:
American Samoa, Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, French
Polynesia, Kiribati, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue,
Papua New Guinea, Pitcairn Island, Samoa, Solomon
Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Wallis and
Futuna.
Training Course on Climate Predictions and Applications, 16–20 Feb 2009
Simon McGree & Arieta Baleisolomone, Fiji Meteorological Service
T
he five-day training course was the second of three in a series of
regional meteorological training courses funded by the Japanese
International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and hosted by the Fiji
Meteorological Service (FMS). The focus of courses in Phase
One (2001-05) was entry to operational level meteorological
observations taught according to the World Meteorological
Organisation (WMO) standard curriculum. In Phase Two, FMS
have been encouraged by JICA to organise higher-level courses
on Climate Change and Disaster Mitigation. The first workshop
held in 2007 was being a month long operational meteorology
training program.
The theme of the February workshop was ‘Climate’ with the
objectives resulting from discussions in 2008 on the future
of the Island Climate Update. One central issue of discussion
was the need for Meteorological Services in the South Pacific
to be able to interpret global seasonal scale rainfall predictions
and have greater ‘ownership’ of seasonal rainfall predictions
presented in the Island Climate Update (ICU). The AusAID
Bureau of Meteorology Pacific Islands Climate Prediction
Project (PI-CPP) was also invited to this workshop to present
the latest version of SCOPIC (Seasonal Climate Outlooks in
Pacific Islands Countries), a statistical climate prediction model.
The course organisers also considered it highly beneficial for
the participants to have both the NZAid and AusAID Project
Teams available at the same course. Nine Pacific Island nations
participated, including the Cook Islands, Kiribati, Niue, Solomon
Islands, Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, and hosts Fiji.
Mr. Sasaki (JICA) and Rajendra Prasad (Fiji Meteorological
Service) open the workshop on February 16, 2009.
The Island
Climate Update
NIWA representatives provided overviews of the multimodel
approach to seasonal rainfall and sea surface temperature
prediction used in the ICU. A new tool in the development stage
called METPI (Multimodel Ensemble Tool for Pacific Islands)
was shown, and training was delivered on how to it to provide
increased participation by Pacific Island Meteorological services
in the ICU process. Bureau of Meteorology representatives
provided an overview of statistical based seasonal climate
forecasting and tuition on the SCOPIC tool. This was followed
by the Online Climate Outlook Forum (OCOF) 17 conducted
at FMS and chaired by Mr. Lloyd Tahani of the Solomon Islands
Meteorological Service.
The role of RSMC Nadi (Fiji) for Tropical Cyclones and the
need for monthly and seasonal Tropical Cyclone Predictions
was subsequently undertaken by FMS on Day Three of the
workshop. Representatives from the Sugar Research Institute
of Fiji and Fiji Electricity Authority participated in a discussion,
and demonstrated how seasonal-scale climate predictions have
benefited their industries. This discussion was followed by
recommendations for PI-CPP and a presentation of certificates.
Overall, the course was very successful, with the first attempt at
Pacific Island countries interpretation of global rainfall models
included in this month’s ICU bulletin. In addition, there are
plans to hold the ICU teleconference during the middle of
each month in the near future, so there is greater time to gather
essential data and utilise information from the PI-CPP OCOF
teleconference in the ICU bulletin. Agencies interested in co-
funding courses in Fiji are requested to contact the FMS.