CF Conventions Support Peter Miu (EUMETSAT) CMA, CNES, EUMETSAT, ISRO, IMD, JMA, KMA, NASA, NIST, NOAA, ROSHYDROMET, USGS, WMO

What are we talking about there?? Climate and Forecast (CF) conventions are designed to promote the processing and sharing of files created with the netCDF API. Currently all data sets used for GSICS purposes are in the netCDF format. The conventions define metadata that provide a definitive description of what the data in each variable represents, and the spatial and temporal properties of the data. This enables users of data from different sources to decide which quantities are comparable, and facilitates building applications with powerful extraction, regridding, and display capabilities. In other words, predefined metadata is use to identify variables in data improve both manual and automated use of the data. For GSICS, the predefined metadata in question are know as standard name and unit. This metadata is used to clearly identify variables to users and automated processes; for example visualisation tools.

What has been done so far? NOAA has submitted several CF conventions and it has taken around 1 year to be accepted. EUMETSAT has submitted several CF conventions and it has been 1 year with no result due to queries from mailing lists and a lack of resources to following up discussions.

So what can we do? GSICS international status can be exploited to “fast track” CF convention metadata updates. GDWG Members be involved in the preparation of these updates and support CF mailing list queries. Support is also needed to chase the CF governance committee up on submissions. A GDWG member can also check if they can be nominated to be a member of the CF governance committee.

Lets Continue to Achieve Results ! GSICS achievements have been through International Partners working together. We need to continue this through a sense of urgency to commit to common agreed goals. Taking a lead to develop a common agreed goal does not mean you are totally responsible for work. Seeking support is expected through the gsics-dev googlegroups mailing list or a dedicated WebEx teleconference. Just to re-literate GSICS achievements are a Result of International Partners working together!

End of Presentation: Thank you for your attention WMO GSICS Portal http://gsics.wmo.int GSICS Coordination Centre - http://www.star.nesdis.noaa.gov/smcd/GCC/index.php GSICS Product Catalog - http://www.star.nesdis.noaa.gov/smcd/GCC/ProductCatalog.php EUMETSAT’s Data and Management Server http://gsics.eumetsat.int