Instruments and Methods of Observation Programme - SUMMARY 1. Innovation 2.Collaboration/ Integration and GEOSS 3.Technology transfer 4.Intercomparisons 5.Quality management 6.Disaster Preparedness and Mitigation World Meteorological OrganizationWWW/IO/TECO

Instruments and Methods of Observation Programme 1. Innovation 2.Collaboration/ Integration and GEOSS 3.Technology transfer 4.Intercomparisons 5.Quality management 6.Disaster Preparedness and Mitigation Automation Interoperability Composite networks Tiered networks Adaptive observations Rebalancing networks Data assimilation World Meteorological OrganizationWWW/IO/TECO

1a. Automation World Meteorological OrganizationWWW/IO/TECO An increasing uptake of AWOS particularly with “advanced” sensors that measure those elements traditionally observed by humans. Continued development in present weather sensors, including video cameras can only make these systems more appealing to Members. Greater uptake by Members of automatic launch systems and remote sensing. Cooperative development between NMHSs, HMEI and manufacturers is of benefit to all parties, e.g. the introduction of the Vaisala Autosonde within Australia.

1b. Interoperability World Meteorological OrganizationWWW/IO/TECO Development of an upper air system to utilize various types of radiosondes may allow Members greater flexibility with their National Programs, e.g. Dars-es- Salaam (2004) Interoperability developed into their Radiosonde Replacement System by the USA NWS. Standardization through CIMO’s collaboration with CBS through their ET on Requirements for data from AWS

1c. Composite networks World Meteorological OrganizationWWW/IO/TECO GLOBAL composite Upper Air networks, gaining more acceptance – wind profilers, radiosondes, AMDAR, satellite, GPS water vapour AMDAR improvements have seen valuable ascent, descent and cruise-level datum made available to Members – not fully integrated Continuing efforts of ETs and OPAGs to encourage the development of research systems into operational systems.

1d. Tiered networks World Meteorological OrganizationWWW/IO/TECO The incorporation of a network of observing sites of varying complexity and instrumentation with consistent training for all support staff. The use of redundant sensors to facilitate less uncertainty for data Quality and greater stability for operations. This also allows NMHSs greater flexibility in their maintenance regimes which can lead to efficiencies. The use of well-trained, voluntary staff to supplement the NMHSs staffed sites.

1e. Adaptive observations World Meteorological OrganizationWWW/IO/TECO Observations are performed for key National imperatives – usually forecasts and warnings. This may supplant a National reduction of previously scheduled observations, e.g. Australian 12 UTC radiosonde network The use of additional observations and/or additional value-added input at key National or International significance, e.g. cyclone/ hurricane/typhoon. 1f. Rebalancing networks The review of their networks by NMHSs to ensure that goals and outputs are met, e.g. UK Met Office and Australian Bureau of Meteorology.

1g. Data Assimilation World Meteorological OrganizationWWW/IO/TECO Greater assimilation of satellite and surface-based data into more sophisticated numerical models has improved forecasting for weather, climate and hydrology. NMHSs need to carefully balance real-time data requirements with that of long-term climatological requirements. Allowing for biases introduced by new technology complicates the detection of climate change and as such metadata becomes increasingly important. CIMO recommends detailed metadata information be part of the overall NMHS’s quality management system[i].[i]

1g. Data Assimilation (cont) World Meteorological OrganizationWWW/IO/TECO Many NMHSs are cooperatively developing high-end systems in conjunction with their meteorological field editing. A key component of data assimilation is the use by NMHSs of comparative data as a quality management and assurance tool for various systems. Therefore CIMO has a key role in determining key user requirements and standards for satellite calibration as this will have a critical impact on the Global Observing System. [i] Developments in a Modern Quality Management System: Observations Quality Control Network Performance and METADATA Database, R.P. Canterford, D. K. Evans, L. Allen (TECO 2000)

2. Collaboration/ Integration and GEOSS World Meteorological OrganizationWWW/IO/TECO

2. Collaboration/Integration World Meteorological OrganizationWWW/IO/TECO CIMO provides cooperation, encouragement and assistance to HMEI to develop instruments that better suit NMHSs. There has been increasing cooperation between NMHSs with a number of jointly operated networks and cooperative research projects taking place eg EUMETNET; CWINDE; EUCOS; PRISM; THORPEX. The cooperative organisation of WMO technical conference TECO-2002 and the conjointly organized exhibition METEOREX-2002 in Slovakia in September 2002 allowed greater appreciation of each community’s requirements and expectations. TECO and METEOREX 2005 Romania Collaboration between CIMO and the Chinese Meteorological Agency, has seen the production of the Instrument Catalogue.

2c. GEOSS World Meteorological OrganizationWWW/IO/TECO CIMO will specifically contribute to GEOSS activities through: determine additional siting standards for different programs; interact with instrument manufacturers in establishing performance specifications for systems operating in harsh environments; develop guidelines for the switch from manual to automatic surface observations; review AMDAR water vapour comparisons, including an intercomparison of new generation equipment; expertise on standardization procedures; Examine developing standards for ground-based GPS intercomparisons to ensure instrument compatibility and data homogeneity; and coordination of RICs and RRCs to ensure traceability.

3. Technology transfer World Meteorological OrganizationWWW/IO/TECO

3a. Training World Meteorological OrganizationWWW/IO/TECO Training Workshop on Metrology for RICs Training Workshop on Metrology for RICs Trappes, France, October 2005 Trappes, France, October 2005 Training Workshop on Metrology for RA VI Training Workshop on Metrology for RA VI Ljubljana, Slovenia, April 2006 Ljubljana, Slovenia, April 2006 Training Workshop on Metrology for RA VI Training Workshop on Metrology for RA VI Bratislava, Slovakia, April 2006 Bratislava, Slovakia, April 2006 Training Workshop on Metrology for RA I Training Workshop on Metrology for RA I Cairo, Egypt, April 2006 Cairo, Egypt, April 2006 Training Workshop on Upper Air Observations for Training Workshop on Upper Air Observations for RA III Buenos Aires, Argentina, May 2006 RA III Buenos Aires, Argentina, May 2006

3b. Documentation – CIMO Guide World Meteorological OrganizationWWW/IO/TECO experts from 17 countries have worked on the update of the CIMO Guide since chapters updated plus 2 new chapters included Preliminary issue (in English) published in May 2006 Final approval by CIMO-XIV

3b. Documentation – IOM Reports World Meteorological OrganizationWWW/IO/TECO IOM 87 (TD 1307) Training Material on Automated Weather Observing Systems IOM 88 (TD 1308) Training Material on Weather Radar Systems IOM 89 (TD 1309) Operational Aspects of Different Ground-Based Remote Sensing Observing Techniques for Vertical Profiling IOM 90 (TD 1314) WMO Intercomparison of GPS Radiosondes – Final Report, Brazil, 20 May – 10 June 2001 IOM 91 (TD 1320) International Pyrheliometer Comparison, Davos, Switzerland, 26 September – 14 October 2005

3b. Documentation World Meteorological OrganizationWWW/IO/TECO Instrument Development Inquiry Reports Now reached 7 th edition Now reached 7 th edition Important for technology transfer Important for technology transfer Regularly published as IMOP reports Regularly published as IMOP reports Instrument Catalogue Assistance from the China Meteorological Assistance from the China Meteorological Administration Administration List of instruments and manufacturers List of instruments and manufacturers Allows users to make informed choices Allows users to make informed choices

4. Intercomparisons World Meteorological OrganizationWWW/IO/TECO

4a. Intercomparison of HQ RSO World Meteorological OrganizationWWW/IO/TECO Results: Error characteristics of HQ RSO Systems Improved accuracy of HQ RSO Systems Usefulness of geopotential height derived from the geometric height measured by GPS RSO Best combination of RSO for “reference” purposes

4b. IPC-X / RPCs World Meteorological OrganizationWWW/IO/TECO Main Objectives: Dissemination of the WRR to ensure worldwide homogeneity of solar radiation measurements Training to RRCs & NRCs, especially from developing countries Symposium on solar radiation measurements

4c. Laboratory. Intercomparison of RI Gauges World Meteorological OrganizationWWW/IO/TECO Laboratories: Météo France, Trappes KNMI, De Bilt Italian Met. Service/University of Genoa Instruments: 19 pairs from 18 Manufacturers Testing Period: 1st Phase: 15 Sep Feb 05 2nd Phase: 15 Feb May 05 3rd Phase: 15 May 05 – 30 Sep 05

5. Quality management World Meteorological OrganizationWWW/IO/TECO

5a. CIMO Guide 7 th Edition World Meteorological OrganizationWWW/IO/TECO experts from 187 countries have worked on the update of the CIMO Guide since chapters updated plus 2 new chapters included Preliminary issue (in English) published in May Final approval by CIMO-XIV

5b. ET-RC, QMS & CIMO-XIV World Meteorological OrganizationWWW/IO/TECO Main Objectives: Discuss options for improving the functionality of RICs; Review, revise as needed, and approve TORs; and Prepare a strategy for strengthening the services of RICs. The ET proposed recommendations to be submitted for consideration by CIMO-XIV.

6. Disaster Preparedness and Mitigation World Meteorological OrganizationWWW/IO/TECO

6. Disaster Preparedness and Mitigation World Meteorological OrganizationWWW/IO/TECO These have been innovations in the development of instruments for extreme conditions. These innovations have included: instrumentation and sensors such as anemometers and humidity probes for alpine environments; AWOS electronics and sensors for extreme tropical cyclone, hurricane or typhoon wind; and pressure measurements and rainfall intensity instruments for measuring major rainfall events for flood predictions and drought environments at the other end of the scale.

6. Disaster Preparedness and Mitigation World Meteorological OrganizationWWW/IO/TECO Innovation has also been demonstrated recently by the integration of enhanced tsunami warning/monitoring networks following the tragic tsunami off the coast of Aceh, Indonesia in December Several countries are purchasing and installing tsunami sea level instruments and deep ocean tsunami monitoring buoys to put in place detection and warning networks for this hazard. Many NHMS are becoming involved with this type of instruments and the sharing of data. Significant effort has been directed into both the design of coastal and deep ocean networks that will provide the maximum possible warning time for affected countries. At the same time there has been investigation of the sampling protocols needed for rapid and accurate detection of tsunami. This includes sampling frequencies, reporting frequencies and metrology.

6. Disaster Preparedness and Mitigation World Meteorological OrganizationWWW/IO/TECO Since the devastating tsunami of December 2004 a great deal has come to light about the science of tsunami and it has become apparent that there is a lot more to learn in terms of appropriate instruments and methods of sharing data for which CIMO, in collaboration with JCOMM, will be able to provide assistance. Most of the existing networks have been designed for monitoring of long period phenomenon, such as tides and climate change. These networks and instruments in general cannot accurately characterize the tsunami events and are often located in harbours that complicate the detection and wave characteristics. Significant effort is going into development of siting procedures with a specific focus on medium period phenomenon such as tsunami. There are also significant developments in measurement technologies for detection of tsunami. Australia is planning to carryout an initial intercomparison of some of the viable coastal sea- level technologies to determine their suitability for use for tsunami detection[i]. This will include assessment of calibration methods and traceability.[i] [i] Personal communication, J. O. Warne, Australian Bureau of Meteorology

6. Disaster Preparedness and Mitigation Overall, CIMO has a critical role in innovation of measurements and observation techniques for disaster preparedness and mitigation, and assists WMO in the Disaster Preparedness and Mitigation (DPM) Programme through the provision of: –Instrument specifications and observing systems to meet requirements for the accurate and traceable measurement of meteorological, related geophysical and environmental variables, taking into account both experience and new developments for hazard monitoring and detection; – Encouragement to the instrument manufacturers to develop more robust instruments with greater resilience to extreme weather conditions and with increased measuring ranges; –Guidance on the use of instruments in harsh conditions].] [i][i] Progress report on the activities of the CIMO coordinator for DPM Programme, R. Dombrowsky - CIMO- XIV