CBS Technical Conference The Weather Observations Website – linking citizen scientists and third party data providers with NMHSs CBS Technical Conference

Running order Potential for accessing new observations Available systems Benefits for NMHSs The value question Conclusions

Potential for accessing new observations

Potential for accessing new observations Proliferation of network enabled environmental sensors Consumer (smartphone) and enterprise level (smart city) devices Driverless cars equipped with a sophisticated suite of sensors – LIDAR, radar etc

Available systems WOW mPING Weather Underground

Available systems Weather Observations Website (wow.metoffice.gov.uk) Traditional observations and Impact Reports Meteorological Phenomena Identification Near the Ground (mPING) NOAA NSSL, used for real time forecast and warning generation and validation Research into Rainfall Radar Weather Underground Huge global reach Weather company partnership with IBM allowing research into benefits of data for weather advice

Benefits for NMHSs Forecasting Climate Monitoring Numerical Weather Prediction

Benefits for NMHSs Forecasting Climate monitoring NWP Intangibles Greater density of observations, reports of the impact of severe weather Climate monitoring Volunteers are a key source of climate observations in many countries NWP Varying quality and error characteristics presents challenges Intangibles Greater engagement with citizens and users, strengthening the NMHS as the authoritative source of weather and climate advice

The value question Understanding the value of crowd sourced data is a challenge The observations can be put to many uses, from ‘weather watch’ for forecasters to validation of impact based warnings and forecasts Not treated by NWP in the same way as ‘known quality’ traditional observations – but does not mean it has no intrinsic value

Conclusions The quantity and variety of observational data will continue to grow There is an appetite from society to contribute to these initiatives NMHSs can benefit in a number of tangible and intangible ways Use of the data requires careful consideration