OS WG ACTIVITIES (Submitted by Jim Purdom

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "OS WG ACTIVITIES (Submitted by Jim Purdom"

Joshua Butler
6 years ago
Views:

1 WORLD METEOROLOGICAL ORGANIZATION COMMISSION FOR ATMOSPHERIC SCIENCES INTERNATIONAL CORE STEERING COMMITTEE FOR THORPEX Seventh Session Geneva, Switzerland (18 20 November 2008) CAS/ICSC-7/DOC3.1 (19X.2008) Item: 3.1 OS WG ACTIVITIES (Submitted by Jim Purdom Report of the Third Meeting of the THORPEX Observing Systems Working Group Geneva, 23 September Activities since last meeting The activities undertaken by the Observing Systems Working Group (OSWG) since the second meeting in Boulder, Colorado, 2-4 May 2007 were reported to the THORPEX workshop held in Geneva from September The OSWG-2 meeting report was summarised (the report is available from the THORPEX web site), as were the status of the action items generated at OSWG-2 which are given below. It was reported that the membership of the OSWG since OSWG-2 had undergone changes with the resignation of three members, Martti Heikinheimo, Wenjian Zhang, and Co-Chair Walter Dabberdt. It was also noted that James Purdom was expecting to retire in December 2008 and would be resigning from the OSWG at that time. Other meetings and activities relevant to OSWG work were highlighted. Those included: CGMS 2007 WMO Workshop on the Re-design and Optimization of the Space-based Global Observing System, June 2007 Fourth WMO Workshop on the Impact of Various Observing Systems on NWP, May 2008 WMO/CGMS Science WGs (ITWG (May 2008), IWWG (April 2008), IPWG (to be held October 2008) OPAG IOS-ICT, September 2008 o ET-EGOS o ET-SUP o ET-SAT CGMS 2008 (to be held in November) CBS 2009 (to be held in March) Concerning satellites The latest status of current and planned satellites contributing to the GOS is summarized on the CGMS web pages that are maintained by WMO ( with hyperlinks to the websites of the relevant satellite operator. Detailed information on instruments characteristics is available on the WMO Space Programme web pages. Workshop on the Re-design and Optimization of the Space-based Global Observing System final report found at: 2FINAL-Report.pdf CGMS THORPEX focal points have been designated by each CGMS satellite operator

2 ICSC7-Doc3.1, p. 2 Issues brought forth on behalf of CGMS included: The need for a greater optimization of the LEO and GEO missions to support the space-based component of the GOS and its overall configuration. o THORPEX can be of service here for global and regional scale applications by studying various methods to assimilate high spatial and temporal resolution satellite data. o Because of the strong influence of the background field in NWP models, THORPEX must show how to target (i.e. extract higher resolution information) today s thinned satellite regions so that the maximum information can be infused into the background field The need to understand that the space based component of the GOS will evolve differently than in the past. o THORPEX can provide valuable information to guide that evolution The relevance of the Fourth WMO Workshop on the Impact of Various Observing Systems on NWP, May 2008 was discussed (detailed information can be obtained from the WMO CBS Meetings web page). The conclusions and recommendations in three areas were highlighted and they were: Interaction between NWP centres, data providers and data users Observational data requirements Proposals for future studies The activities of the WMO CBS OPAG-IOS relevant to THORPEX were discussed in the context of the recent OPAG-IOS Implementation Team Coordination Meeting. Of particular note was the draft report Vision for the GOS in It was pointed out that this vision provides high-level goals to guide the evolution of the Global Observing System in the coming decades. These goals are intended to be challenging but achievable. The future GOS will build upon existing sub-systems, both surface and space-based, and capitalize on existing and new observing technologies not presently incorporated or fully exploited. Incremental additions to the GOS will be reflected in better data, products and services from the National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs); this will be particularly true for developing countries and LDCs. The scope of these changes to the GOS will be major and will involve new approaches in science, data handling, product development and utilization, and training. It is expected that THORPEX activities will help guide the evolution of the GOS. 2. Discussions at Third OSWG meeting On the afternoon of 23 September 2008, the OSWG met. Members present were Co-Chair James Purdom, Tetsuo Nakazawa-san, and Roger Saunders. First the actions from OSWG- 2 were reviewed and a summary of their status is provided in section 3 below. Secondly the future of the OSWG was debated given the reduction in the membership. After intensive discussions it was clear that many of the activities of the OPAG-IOS covered the activities of the OSWG. It was decided that the needs of THORPEX could be best served with respect to observing systems if the OPAG-IOS became more closely linked with THORPEX and the OSWG was combined with the THORPEX DAOS and their terms of reference redefined. It was also felt that the OPAG-IOS interaction would best be focused through this revised WG. However it was noted that given the current membership of the OSWG does not include experts on in situ and radar observations it was recommended that experts in these areas are sought to include in the new combined DAOS WG. Since James Purdom is retiring from

3 ICSC7-Doc3.1, p. 3 the OSWG it was suggested that he be replaced by Chris Velden, UW CIMSS. The OSWG meeting was closed on September and combined with the DAOS subject to approval. 3. Status of actions from OSWG Actions and recommendations continuing from 2006 OSWG Meeting Item 1: Develop contact list for space agencies (main points of contact). Action: Reconfirmation at CGMS Done at CGMS October Item 5: OSWG and DAOS-WG Co-Chairs and Regional Committee Co-Chairs to coordinate observational challenges: This was addressed at the Second THORPEX International Science Symposium and at OSWG-2. It continues to be a priority. It is further noted that DAOS Co-Chair Pierre Gauthier participated fully in OSWG-2 and the STISS meeting of the OSWG. This was addressed at: WMO Workshop on the Re-design and Optimization of the Space-based Global Observing System, June 2007 Fourth WMO Workshop on the Impact of Various Observing Systems on NWP, May 2008 WMO/CGMS Science WGs (ITWG (May 2008), IWWG (April 2008), IPWG (October 2006) OPAG IOS-ICT, September 2008 and intervening meetings of expert teams (ET-XXX) below ET-EGOS (Evolution of the GOS) ET-SUP (Satellite Utilization and Products) ET-SAT (SatelliteSystems) Item 8: Add academic member to OSWG: Action: Still under consideration. Approaches made but with no success. Item 9: Initiate dialogue with WCRP for a joint approach to observational networks: Status: Open. OSWG co-chairs are seeking a meeting with Kevin Trenberth. Not accomplished in manner above. GRUAN network being implemented as reference network for GUAN. Through OPAG-IOS 2008 ICT meeting, GRUAN was recommended to be a WIGOS Pilot Project pending agreement from GCOS. Item 10: Provide TIPO with status of capabilities and uses of in-situ and satellite data in NWP: Accomplished at OSWG-2 through final report which referenced NSF facilities and satellite capabilities 3.2 Actions and recommendations arising from 2007 OSWG-2 Meeting The actions below include a reference to the section of the OSWG-2 report from which the action arose. Item 1 (Section 9): AMMA dropsonde data availability. Action: AMMA principals to provide OSWG with protocol for dropsonde releases from the driftsonde gondola and for flight termination (D. Parsons). Closed: Data on GTS. Item 2 (Section 9): Encourage CMA to develop various composite radar analysis products

4 ICSC7-Doc3.1, p. 4 and that WMO to develop standards for such products. Action: Draft a related action item for future consideration by OSWG (T. Keenan). Open Item 3 (Section 9.1): OSWG engage and support the RA-1 Task Force in developing observing aspects of the plan for tropical Africa. Action: TIPO Jim Caughey to discuss with Andre Kamga, the Chairman of the Task Force drafting the Plan, and coordinate possible activities with OSWG Co-chairs. Done. Item 4 (Section 9.1): Given the importance and under utilization of radar information as part of the forecast process, the OSWG recommends that WMO develop an initiative to build on RQQI and develop procedures to: Action: Provide protocols and standards for the international sharing of radar data. Support the development of RQQI to provide information on radar applications and their quality. Ongoing: Activity reflected in EGOS-IP and Vision for the GOS to 2025 Action: Encourage the development of national and regional radar mosaics and the timely sharing of such information as part of THORPEX regional campaigns and ultimately within WMO Information System (WIS). (T. Keenan) Open: relates to Item 2 above. Note: WMO through the WWRP and CIMO has initiated The Radar Quality Control Quantitative Intercomparison (RQQI) Activity. This project is concerned with providing a systematic evaluation of applications employed in QPN, but is only a starting point in the problems faced in radar data utilization. Item 5: Ensure coordination between CBS OPAG-IOS and THORPEX OSWG. Action: Establish a coordination mechanism between OSWG and CBS OPAGIOS Expert Team on the Evolution of the Global Observing System (ET-EGOS). Ongoing: This coordination is a continuous process. It occurs routinely at ET-EGOS meetings, NWP Impact Workshops, and OPAG-IOS-ICT Meetings. Item 6: Possible impacts of future WMO Integrated Global Observing System (WIGOS) on OSWG activities. Action: Update OSWG members on WIGOS when appropriate (J. Purdom). Ongoing: WIGOS is in the development and assessment phase at WMO, awaiting final approval at CG in Item 7: Conclusions and action items on surface-based observing systems: - Need to have a closer look at: data availability and sampling frequency, timeliness, data quality, metadata standards (All OSWG members): This is being addressed within the EGOS IP (Implementation Plan) which is under continuous review by OPAG-IOS. - Establish more comprehensive assessment on the relative importance of different systems for data assimilation and predictability (All OSWG members): This is addressed through CBS sponsored workshops on the impact of various observing systems on NWP, the most recent being the 4 th which was held in May 2008 in Geneva. Note that all members of DAOS participated in that workshop. - Promote establishment of new potential systems such as TAMDAR, GPS wet delay and radio occultation systems, Radars (All OSWG members): This activity is continuous within OPAG-IOS. All are addressed in the new Vision for the GOS to 2025 and the GPS-RO issue is to be presented to CGMS in November 2008 by the Chair OPAG-IOS. - Study alternative ways of providing (near simultaneous) soundings in the RAOB

5 ICSC7-Doc3.1, p. 5 program to make these data better suitable for data assimilation in numerical models (All OSWG members): This was aimed at bi-directional sondes; this should be carried forward and addressed through the DAOS for THORPEX purposes. Item 8: Help maximize utilization of satellite data. Action: Reconfirm and update as appropriate space agency THORPEX points of contact at CGMS-2007 and to provide Regional Co-Chairs with updated information on satellite systems (J. Purdom). Continuous at CGMS each year. The most up to date information on satellite systems is available from the WMO Space Program web site. Item 9: Summary review of terrestrial sounding and profiling systems that might be applicable for use in remote oceanic and continental regions. Action: Provide summary review to OSWG members, the TIPO and THORPEX Regional Co-Chairs (W. Dabberdt) Version of technical readiness report for December 2007 was appended as Annex D to the OSWG-2 Report which was submitted to TIPO in final version in early Item 10: The observing systems and facilities assessment being conducted in the U.S. for the National Science Foundation may be useful to THORPEX. To maximize its use by THORPEX, it is important that international facilities and instruments be included in that data base. The survey web page and instructions for logging on can be found at Action: OSWG to take a look at this web site, and as appropriate enter relevant observing facility information. Further, OSWG members to notify colleagues about the survey and to ask them to contribute to the data base, as appropriate. (All OSWG Members) Done by individual members of OSWG. The OSWG-2 final report also leads THORPEX scientists to this site. Item 11 (Section 12.2): OSWG to engage Regional committees. Action: Letter from the OSWG Co-Chairs to all RC Co-Chairs expressing the willingness of the OSWG to help achieve Regional Plan objectives and encouraging feed-back reports identifying difficulties, problems encountered, weaknesses etc., so that observational lessons learned can be distributed to the THORPEX community and help improve effectiveness in the future. (W. Dabberdt and J. Purdom). Not done. Item 12: Facilitate the development of new observing systems and promote the use of new technologies. Actions: - Monitor regional activities to inform OSWG of new activities (All) Continuing - Complete matrix of terrestrial profiling systems (Dabberdt) Done: Appendix D of OSWG-2 final report. - Link with agencies as required (All) Satellites through CGMS; WMO CBS. Item 13 (Section 12.2): Foster optimized integrated global observing system. Action: OSWG to foster close coordination with DAOS through Co-Chairs and OSWG members to engage Regional Coordinators to help bring this to fruition (All OSWG Members). This is handled formally through OPAG-IOS and coordination of OPAG-IOS activities with THORPEX Working Groups. Item 14 (Section 12.2): Encourage the development of an effective baseline Global Observing System Actions (All OSWG Members): o Facilitate the underlying observational research that will lead to the development of a robust GOS and provide a pathway forward that maximizes

6 ICSC7-Doc3.1, p. 6 o o evolution potential for the GOS. This is continuous through science working groups such as the ITWG as well as pace Agencies. Work with the CBS by providing guidance from the research community on the best way forward for the evolution of the WWW s surface and spacebased sub-systems of the GOS. Done through OPAG-IOS ET-SAT and ET- EGOS and Impact Study Workshops. Support CIMO in the characterization of the performance of the various terrestrial observing instruments that are part of the GOS as well as to be tested as part of the THORPEX program. Various CIMO intercomparison activities are done as matter of routine. Close coordination will be undertaken as new systems components are developed. Item 15: Encourage the testing of high-volume data sets. Actions (All OSWG Members): o Promote use of new methods and technologies, such as BUFR format, rapidscan imagery, ADM-Aeolus wind profiles, use of more satellite channels and so forth. Continuous activity at NWP centers. Topic of the EGOS-IP as well as routine impact workshops. o Coordinate with CGMS and DAOS. CGMS formally once each year with THORPEX report to CGMS meeting. As a result of considerations at THORPEX WG Meetings, Geneva, September 2008, we are suggesting combining activities of DAOS WG and OS WG with inclusion of active OPAG- IOS role. Item 16 (Section 12.2): Facilitate interaction with standing activities of the global community (All OSWG Members) Action: OSWG to consider establishing an observing systems Interest Group patterned after the PDP and DA WG Interest Groups. This was not done, but should be considered with respect to Item 15 bullet 2 above. Item 17: Input was solicited regarding potential strategies for enhancing the surface based observing system in western China. CMA is considering a plan for typhoon reconnaissance and associated observation targeting. Also under consideration is a plan to develop expertise in identifying sensitive areas for various targeting strategies. Conclusion: OSWG considered this after OSWG-2 and provided a report to CMA in mid This is also reflected in the final report of OSWG-2.

ET-SAT TERMS OF REFERENCE AND PRELIMINARY WORK PLAN. (Submitted by the Secretariat) Summary and Purpose of Document

ET-SAT TERMS OF REFERENCE AND PRELIMINARY WORK PLAN. (Submitted by the Secretariat) Summary and Purpose of Document WORLD METEOROLOGICAL ORGANIZATION COMMISSION FOR BASIC SYSTEMS OPEN PROGRAMME AREA GROUP ON INTEGRATED OBSERVING SYSTEMS EXPERT TEAM ON SATELLITE SYSTEMS EIGHTH SESSION GENEVA, SWITZERLAND, 28-30 MAY 2013-8/Doc.