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Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre Montreal

 

World Organization of Volcanic Observatories

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1200-MVAAC


Montreal Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre
Canadian Meteorological Centre
Meteorological Service of Canada
2121 North Service Road
Trans-Canada Highway
Dorval, Quebec, Canada
H9P 1J3




Telephone: 514 421 4704
Telefax: 514 421 4679
Manager: René Servranckx
Email: rene.servranckx@ec.gc.ca
Website: http://www.meteo.gc.ca/eer/vaac/index_e.html
 


Montreal VAAC OVERVIEW


The Montreal Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC) is one of nine VAACs located 
around the world that have been established within the framework of the 
International Airways Volcano Watch (IAVW).  The VAAC is a component of the
Meteorological Service of Canada and is located at the Canadian Meteorological 
Centre. VAAC duties are performed by meteorologists, in addition to the 
routine weather monitoring, analysis and forecasting activities undertaken 
by CMC.

The IAVW was established by the International Civil Aviation Organisation 
(ICAO) and the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) in response to the 
recognition of the hazard volcanic ash clouds pose to aircraft and human 
safety, and sets out arrangements between volcanological, aeronautical and 
meteorological organisations to facilitate the provision of warnings to aircraft 
on the presence of ash in the atmosphere.

The Montreal VAAC monitors satellite imagery for volcanic ash clouds 24 hours 
a day, and also receives reports of volcanic activity from volcanological agencies 
and aircraft operating in the area.  When volcanic ash is detected or reported, 
the Montreal VAAC runs trajectory forecasts and issues a Volcanic Ash Advisory.  
This message contains information on the current distribution of ash and its 
forecast movement during the following 18 hours.  These Advisories are designed 
to be used by the appropriate Meteorological Watch Office as guidance when 
preparing Volcanic Ash SIGMETs - the official aviation warning.  The Volcanic 
Ash Advisories are also disseminated directly to the aviation community to 
allow them to begin re-routing aircraft as soon as possible.  The latest 
Volcanic Ash Advisories can also be found on the Montreal VAAC web page.

The areas of responsibility for the Montreal and other VAAC’s may be found 
at: http://www.icao.int/anb/iavwopsg/


Updated May 2011