Ocean Climate Observation State of the Program Report to the 7th Annual System Review Silver Spring, MD October 25-27, 2010 David Goodrich Acting Director, Climate Observations Division NOAA Climate Program Office photo courtesy of MeteoFrance

Building on Past Contributions …

Climate Observation Division Climate Observation DivisionMission Build and sustain a global climate observing system that will respond to the long-term observational requirements of the operational forecast centers, international research programs, and major scientific assessments.

4 Ocean Climate Requirements National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Indicators of Change Sea level riseSea level rise Ocean carbon sources and sinksOcean carbon sources and sinks The ocean’s storage and global transport of heat and fresh waterThe ocean’s storage and global transport of heat and fresh water The air-sea exchange of heat and fresh waterThe air-sea exchange of heat and fresh water Sea ice extentSea ice extent Global Average Sea Surface Temperature World Ocean Heat Content Global Average Sea Level Change Arctic Sea Ice Extent Ocean Storage of CO 2

Capabilities Required Global coverage by moored and drifting buoy arrays, profiling floats, tide gauge stations, and ship-based systems.Global coverage by moored and drifting buoy arrays, profiling floats, tide gauge stations, and ship-based systems. Continuous satellite missions for sea surface temperature, sea surface height, surface vector wind, ocean color, and sea ice.Continuous satellite missions for sea surface temperature, sea surface height, surface vector wind, ocean color, and sea ice. Data and assimilation subsystemsData and assimilation subsystems System management and product deliverySystem management and product delivery

Ocean Observations are Critical to the NCS Implementation Strategy Extremes in Changing Climate – Tropical Atlantic network supports hurricane information Human Influence – Repeat Hydrography/CO 2 Program assesses changing ocean biogeochemical cycle and acidification in response to human-induced activity Five Societal Challenges Water – TAO array data supports ENSO prediction, benefits US water resource decision- making Coast-Local Sea-level Rise and Inundation – Argo supports global ocean steric component; major in situ networks Marine Ecosystems – CORC support and California Current Ecosystem mooring with biogeochemical sensors

Composite system of systems designed to meet Climate requirements, but also supports: Weather prediction Global and coastal ocean prediction Marine hazards warning Transportation Marine environment and ecosystem monitoring Naval applications 8 of 9 Societal Benefits Tide gauge stations Drifting Buoys Tropical Moored Buoys Profiling Floats Ships of Opportunity Ocean Reference Stations Ocean Carbon Networks Arctic Observing System Dedicated Ship Support Data & Assimilation Subsystems Management and Product Delivery Satellites -- SST, Surface Topography, Wind, Color, Sea Ice The Initial Global Ocean Observing System

All six global in situ implementation programs are linked internationally through WMO/IOC JCOMM coordination The Organizing Framework

International Partnerships are Central A global system by definition crosses international boundaries. NOAA’s contributions are managed in cooperation with the Joint WMO/IOC Technical Commission for Oceanography and Marine Meteorology (JCOMM)

Global Ocean Observing System for Climate Now 61% complete.

The Last 48 Hours

Argo Profiling Float Array

Surface Drifting Buoys 1250 sustained array (achieved) September 18, 2005

Analysis

Sea level to identify changes resulting from climate variability. Ocean carbon content every ten years and the air-sea exchange seasonally. Sea surface temperature and surface currents to identify significant patterns of climate variability. Sea surface pressure and air-sea exchanges of heat, momentum, and fresh water to identify changes in forcing functions driving ocean conditions and atmospheric conditions. Ocean heat and fresh water content and transports to: 1) identify changes in the global water cycle 2) identify changes in thermohaline circulation and monitor for indications of possible abrupt climate change 3) identify where anomalies enter the ocean, how they move and are transformed, and where they re-emerge to interact with the atmosphere. Sea ice thickness and concentrations to identify changes resulting from, and contributing to, climate variability. The ocean is now prominent in the BAMS annual “State of the Climate” special edition. Delivering Routine Ocean Analyses

Budget

Ocean Funding History $ K

Some Opportunities and Challenges Some Opportunities and Challenges Climate Service a high DOC and NOAA priority Climate Service a high DOC and NOAA priority FY11 increase request in jeopardy FY11 increase request in jeopardy Ship Support Ship Support o Over $0.5M of unanticipated ship time costs o Low priority for climate in Fleet Allocation TAO Transition to NCS TAO Transition to NCS Potential government-wide reductions Potential government-wide reductions

CPO’s Climate Observation Division John Calder – Arctic ProgramJohn Calder – Arctic Program Candyce Clark – JCOMM coordination, Ocean program mgmt.Candyce Clark – JCOMM coordination, Ocean program mgmt. Kathy Crane – Arctic ProgramKathy Crane – Arctic Program Howard Diamond – Atmosphere, GCOS (NCDC)Howard Diamond – Atmosphere, GCOS (NCDC) David Goodrich – Acting DirectorDavid Goodrich – Acting Director Sik Huh – International coordination (detail)Sik Huh – International coordination (detail) Joel Levy – Ocean program mgmt., Science editorJoel Levy – Ocean program mgmt., Science editor Gillian Lichota – Arctic ProgramGillian Lichota – Arctic Program Chris Miller – Climate Change and Data DetectionChris Miller – Climate Change and Data Detection Bill Murray – Climate Change and Data DetectionBill Murray – Climate Change and Data Detection Claudia Perez – Administration, FinanceClaudia Perez – Administration, Finance Steve Piotrowicz – ArgoSteve Piotrowicz – Argo Diane Stanitski – Ocean program mgmt., Annual System ReviewDiane Stanitski – Ocean program mgmt., Annual System Review Sid Thurston – International coordinationSid Thurston – International coordination

Thank You