and the

Expert Team on the Improved MTN and GTS (ET-IMTN)

Meteorological Service of Canada

Canadian Meteorological Centre

2121 Trans-Canada Highway

DORVAL QUEBEC

Canada H9P 1J3

The meeting of the CBS Expert Teams will take place at the Canadian Meteorological Centre in Dorval, Québec, a suburb of Montréal. The ET- EUDCS will be chaired by

All countries have special requirements for persons intending to work, study, or engage in non-tourist activities. A current passport is required, some may require a visa depending on your nationality. Please contact your nearest Canadian embassy. If you require a personal invitation from Canada, please contact Ms Rebecca Milo of the Meteorological Service of Canada not later than 22 April 2002. Rebecca may be reached at the following coordinates:

E-mail Rebecca.Milo@ec.gc.ca

The CMC is a secure facility. You will require security passes to enter the building. The Organizers will arrange for your badges. Staff of the Canadian Meteorological Centre will meet the participants in the lobby of the hotel at 8.30 a.m. on Monday, 27 May 2002. Registration of participants will take place at the CMC reception desk on Monday, 27 May at 9.00 a.m.

Participants will be staying at the Hampton Inn & Suites

1900 Trans Canada Hwy.

Dorval, Québec, Canada, H9P2N4

Phone: +1(514) 633-8243 Toll Free: +1 (800) 426-7866 Fax: +1 (514) 633-5985

Web Site: http://www.hamptoninn.com

Although participants are responsible for their own hotel expenses, we have taken the liberty of making a block reservation of twenty rooms at a rate of Cdn $140 per night (US $ 98) which includes taxes and a continental breakfast.

Please make your reservation directly with the hotel quoting Environment Canada to guarantee your room not later than 27 April 2002. Please provide the following information via facsimile or (preferably) e-mail to Rebecca Milo at the coordinates noted above.

The hotel is on the Trans Canada Highway across from the Canadian Meteorological Centre. This location is convenient for the meetings but is approximately 15 kilometres from downtown Montreal. It is possible to walk to the CMC (~ 10 minutes) but it may be more convenient to share taxis. CMC staff will meet the participants in the lobby of the hotel Monday, 27 May 2002 and will arrange for an "information package" with the hotel, to help orient you on your arrival.

Although the hotel is convenient to the meeting and relatively inexpensive, you should note that there is no restaurant in the hotel. Rooms do come equipped with a fridge and microwave. There is free parking, non smoking rooms and floors, a beautiful swimming pool and health centre, as well as handicap access. There are a few restaurants within 15 - 20 minutes walking distance of the hotel, a variety of restaurants will deliver to the hotel and if a couple of people want to go out to a restaurant, the hotel could arrange for a shuttle to one of the nearby restaurants. MSC staff will ensure that appropriate arrangements are available.

Participants are responsible for their personal travel arrangements. You should arrive at Montreal Dorval airport, which is about 20 minutes from the hotel. The hotel offers a free airport shuttle to the hotel. It is available at the arrivals level; please advise the hotel and ourselves of your airline and arrival times. You may also take a taxi at a cost of approximately Cdn $20.

Currency can be exchanged in the Montréal airport, as well as in local banking institutions. Regular banking hours are Monday to Friday 9.30 to 16.00 (some branches until 20.00). Automated banking machines are common and accept most personal cards based on the CIRRUS system. Exchange rates are about Cdn $1.60 to US $1.00.

You will be pleased to hear that daytime temperatures always rise above freezing in the month of May, however, in 1963, 21.8 cm of snow was recorded in May!

Montreal experiences 13 days with measurable precipitation. Other statistics include;

Electricity: Canada operates on 60 Hertz - 110 volt AC. Receptacles are three pronged: two flat pins with a round ground pin at top centre. An adapter is required for appliances operating on other currents such as the European 220 volts.

Further information will be communicated to you as we approach the dates of the meeting. Should you have any immediate questions about the meeting, please do not hesitate to contact:

Environment Canada

Meteorological Service of Canada

2121 Trans-Canada Highway

Dorval QC H9P 1J3

Tel: +1 (514) 421-4658 Fax: +1 (514) 421-4703

E-mail: jean-françois.gagnon@ec.gc.ca

or

World Weather Watch - Basic Systems Department

WMO Secretariat

7 bis, Avenue de la Paix

Case Postale No 2300

CH-1211 Genève 2

Suisse/Switzerland

Tel: +4122 730 8219 Fax: +4122 730 8021

E-mail: jmrainer@wmo.ch