The Global Cryosphere Watch: Recent Activities and Discussion Points Jeff Key NOAA/NESDIS, Madison, Wisconsin USA EC-PHORS-7, 21-24 March 2017, Ushuaia, Argentina

GCW @ EC-PHORS-7 The Panel is invited to review the overall progress of GCW and provide guidance on the further implementation of GCW.

GCW MISSION GCW will provide authoritative, clear, and useable data, information, and analyses on the past, current and future state of the cryosphere. GCW will include observations, monitoring, assessment, product development, prediction, and research. GCW is not assuming the mandate of any of its partners or collaborators. Instead, GCW enables partners to exercise their mandate effectively.

What specifically is GCW doing? developing a network of surface observations called "CryoNet", which builds on existing networks; providing access to data through a portal; assessing snow cover products through the GCW Snow Watch project; creating unique products, e.g., the SWE Tracker, in collaboration with partners; developing measurement guidelines and best practices; refining observational requirements for the WMO Rolling Review of Requirements; building a snow and ice glossary; providing up-to-date information on the state of the cryosphere; contributing to WMO’s space-based capabilities database (with PSTG); engaging in and supporting intercomparisons of products; engaging in historical data rescue; developing international training and outreach materials.

GCW Development History First GCW Implementation Workshop (Geneva) First Snow Watch workshop (Toronto) Operational (2020) Pre-operational (2016-2019) CryoNet Team meeting (Reykjavik) WMO 15th Congress welcomes proposal for GCW WMO 16th Congress approves GCW development First CryoNet workshop (Vienna) Cg-17 GCW Implement. … 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2020 Asia CryoNet workshop (Beijing) IGOS Cryosphere Theme Report published South America CryoNet workshop Second Asia CryoNet workshop (Salekhard) (Note: Not all meetings are shown)

GCW Structure Left: Current structure. Below: Proposed structure. Diagrammatically they are nearly identical. The difference is in the emphasis on Working Groups, with formal Teams being replaced by projects with ad-hoc teams.

Regional Activities Since EC-PHORS-6 Second CryoNet Asia Workshop, February 2016, Salekhard, Russia The workshop was organized by the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute (AARI) of Roshydromet and the Administration of the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Okrug (YaNAO). Goals: Identify new stations/sites that could become CryoNet or contributing sites in both terrestrial and marine environments in Asia; review existing observing practices for cryospheric observations and examining advances in measurement techniques, and discussing data policies. More than 20 sites in the "Third Pole" (Himalaya) region and Siberia were proposed as new CryoNet sites.  

GCW Structure: Discussion Points Doc 4.1(4) The panel is invited to decide on the following: To approve the amendments to the GCW working structure as proposed in Annex 1; To approve the mechanism for the nomination of new GCW experts, including for the engagement of young scientists in particular, as proposed in Annex 2; To provide guidance on the strategies and engagements proposed related to the proposed new activities on solid precipitation data and integrated sea ice products (Annex 3); To agree on the frequency and format of GCW meetings, i.e. to hold yearly meetings involving all GCW experts and the members of the Steering Group, and having side meetings to address priority activities; and To task the GSG to develop strategies for the transition of GCW from implementation to an operational program

CryoNet – the Core of the GCW Surface Network CryoNet is the core part of the GCW surface network, which is a component observing system of the WMO Integrated Global Observing System (WIGOS). CryoNet covers all components of the cryosphere (glaciers, ice shelves, ice sheets, snow, permafrost, sea ice, river/lake ice) through an extensive approach of in-situ observations. CryoNet is initially comprised of existing stations/sites, rather than creating new sites. 9

GCW Surface Observing Network 13 submissions from Argentina: 6 proposed CryoNet stations (red) 6 proposed Contributing Stations (green) 1 pending submission (black) GCW Proposed sites and stations for EC-69 approval: 11 CryoNet sites 77 CryoNet stations 43 contributing stations Morenas Coloradas Rockglacier Base Belgrano II ARA Suboficial Castilio ARA Canal de Beagle ARA Almirante Irizar Base Esperanza Base Jubany Base Marambio Base Orcadas Base San Martin Vuriloches Aonikenk ARA Puerto Deseado Left map: sites and stations currently proposed for approval as CryoNet sites, or CryoNet stations, or as Contributing Stations. EC PHORS will review the recommendations from the GCW Steering Group. Final approval by EC-69. Right-hand side map: focus on Argentina’s contribution to GCW: 13 proposals for stations to be included in the GCW surface observing network, of these: - 6 are proposed for approval as CryoNet stations; 6 are proposed for approval as Contributing Stations; 1 (Aonikenk) is still pending; the GCW team is waiting for additional info on the observations available on site. Proposed for EC-69 approval: 11 CryoNet sites, 77 CryoNet stations, 43 contributing stations

GCW Surface Network Station Proposals   Site Name Survey id Current status Recommended EC PHORS Decision Configuration Country of Operating organization Country where operational 1 Sodankyla-Pallas 15 Approved trial basis Confirm approval CryoNet site Finland 2 Concordia 64 France-Italy Antarctica 3 Sonnblick Integrated Site 13 Austria 4 Weissfluhjoch - Davos 73 Switzerland 5 Hofsjökull 52 Iceland 6 Zackenberg GEM ZERO 58 Denmark Greenland 7 Koxkar 59 China 8 Qilianshan site 14 9 Tianshan site 57 10 Col du Lac Blanc 116 candidate approve France 11 Altay site 92 The complete list is in Annex 1 of Doc 4.1(2).

CryoNet Measurements: Required, Recommended, Desired To ensure a unique, high-quality network of surface observations, stations and sites are evaluated for inclusion in CryoNet based on several factors. Fulfilling the minimum requirements does not in itself guarantee acceptance as a CryoNet station. Other criteria that are considered by the CryoNet Team when evaluating applications include (1) the number of recommended variables that are measured (see the lists), (2) the continuity and length of the data record, (3) the extent to which data are available and accessible, (4) sustainability of the station, (5) conformity to GCW best practices, and (6) the location and representativeness of the proposed station relative to the geographic distribution of existing CryoNet stations. This is the variable list for snow. All lists are on the GCW website.

CryoNet: Discussion Points Doc 4.1(2) The panel is invited to decide on the following: To approve additional sites and stations for the GCW Surface Observing Network (CryoNet and contributing). The designation of contributing networks (other, existing networks) as part of the GCW Surface Observing Network, in addition to CryoNet sites and stations and contributing stations. The adoption of the CryoNet minimum observing programme (variables to be measured) concept. To request to Members to provide support to the organizations contributing to CryoNet, regarding the implementation and use of OSCAR and WIS. To approve the GCW Data Policy (Annex 3).

Measurement standards and practices (in progress) “IUGG urges snow and ice scientists, practitioners, and scientists from related disciplines to adopt these new schemes as standards.”

Step 1: Inventory of existing guidelines: Step 2: GCW works through these documents, engages the community, and reaches a consensus on best practices for each variable.

Observational Requirements and Capabilities GCW Requirements are being formulated and documented Those requirements will become part of the WMO Rolling Review of Requirements (RRR) Requirements need to be in Observing Systems Capability Analysis and Review Tool (OSCAR), the official source for WMO requirements Dr. Lijuan Ma (CMA) has joined GCW and will continue this work.

Snow Dataset Inventory Snow Watch Snow Dataset Inventory

GTS Snow depth availability Snow Observations 15/09/12 GTS Snow depth availability SYNOP TAC + SYNOP BUFR + national BUFR data Status on 7 January 2017 - Gap in USA, China and southern hemisphere However, we note an improvement in China (since status in de Rosnay et al, ECMWF NL article 143, 2015), related to TAC to BUFR transition (new reports in China are all BUFR SYNOP) Working with CBS and EC PHORS to ensure reporting of snow depth on GTS, daily.

Snow Watch: Discussion Points Doc 4.1(4) International exchange of snow data: GCW has proposed to CBS-16, Recommendation 41, changes to the Manual on Global Observing System (WMO No 544). Further changes are proposed to address concerns from the CBS-16 session, and are included in the agenda item 4.1. GCW will be asking EC PHORS for support to resubmit the revision, for approval. The panel is invited to decide on the following: To provide guidance on fast-tracking the approval of proposed changes to Recommendation 41 of CBS-16, regarding the international exchange of snow data.

GCW Data Portal gcw.met.no is part of WIS (WMO Information System); interoperable with a distributed network of Data Centers and users. will exchange cryosphere data, metadata, information and analyses in support of informed decision-making; Connecting a heterogeneous community of data providers (NMHS, universities, research, other organizations) gcw.met.no

GCW Portal: Progress and Issues Interoperability has been established with SLF-Davos. A new link was established with the Canadian Cryosphere Information Network (CCIN). Discussions with GTN-P have begun. Interoperability guidelines are progressing. Issues/Gaps: While the metadata exchange is working quite well, data exchange is more challenging because of the lack of standardization on file and data formats, semantics, and data models. WIGOS metadata is not fully supported on the GCW Data Portal. GCW engagement in the Task Team on WIGOS Metadata (TT-WMD) is needed to review of WIGOS vocabulary and update the WIGOS Metadata Vocabulary to reflect the GCW metadata requirements. Interfaces for the transfer of information to OSCAR are needed.

Information Website The website differs from the METNO GCW data portal in that it contains more dynamic information (news, state of the cryosphere plots, highlights, calendar), as well as background, higher-level information, GCW documents, and outreach material. It links to the METNO data portal. http://globalcryospherewatch.org/ globalcryospherewatch.org

Online Glossary GCW has compiled a database of cryosphere terms from 26 sources. There are currently 4141 entries; over 2200 are unique. http://globalcryospherewatch.org/

New Assessments

New Trackers

Updated Handouts

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