COOP Modernization: Building NOAA’S Environmental Real-time Observation Network (NERON) Tim Ross Integrated Surface Observing Systems NWS Office of Science and Technology A Briefing For the Committee for Climate Analysis, Monitoring and Services May 3, 2005

Outline NERON NERON –Description –Organization –Status –Funding Cost & Operational Effectiveness Analysis Cost & Operational Effectiveness Analysis FY 2006 FY 2006 OFCM & NERON OFCM & NERON

NERON Description NERON is the modernization of NWS Cooperative Observing Program NERON is the modernization of NWS Cooperative Observing Program Formalized in Program Development Plan signed by NWS AA BGen (USAF Ret.) D.L. Johnson March 2004 Formalized in Program Development Plan signed by NWS AA BGen (USAF Ret.) D.L. Johnson March 2004 NERON is a collecting, processing (using quality control/assurance practices), and disseminating system for land-based observing networks to meet the Nation's climate, weather, and water needs. NERON is a collecting, processing (using quality control/assurance practices), and disseminating system for land-based observing networks to meet the Nation's climate, weather, and water needs.

Components of NERON HCN COOP-M Legacy COOP CRN Partner Networks ASOS

NERON Data Processing System The key feature of the desired data-processing system for NERON is to quality control/quality assure observations with human intervention to:The key feature of the desired data-processing system for NERON is to quality control/quality assure observations with human intervention to: -Provide quality observations in real time (<5 minutes) -Provide metrics to monitor contract maintenance -Not let ‘bad data’ go public The Data Processing System must be end-to-end to include data ingest, dissemination and archivingThe Data Processing System must be end-to-end to include data ingest, dissemination and archiving Two way communication best fit for data retrieval and software downloads and maintaining health of networkTwo way communication best fit for data retrieval and software downloads and maintaining health of network Pilot projects underway with National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System & StatesPilot projects underway with National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System & States

The NERON Data Processing System (The “Linch Pin”) Communications Network: GOES, Cellular Phones and LETS/NLETS

Scope of NERON Deploys modern stations with high quality sensors maintained to accepted professional levels Deploys modern stations with high quality sensors maintained to accepted professional levels Acquires observations with a 5-minute time resolution and download all data at hourly or better intervals — with a goal to download data at 5 minute intervals Acquires observations with a 5-minute time resolution and download all data at hourly or better intervals — with a goal to download data at 5 minute intervals Develops an integrated network that is expandable and adaptable to meet future observing needs Develops an integrated network that is expandable and adaptable to meet future observing needs Provides opportunities for the private sector to develop thousands of value-added applications Provides opportunities for the private sector to develop thousands of value-added applications Emphasizes partnering with the public & private sector Emphasizes partnering with the public & private sector Long-Term Legacy Goal: ‘Accurate Data — Reliably Available’

Status of NERON 85 sites installed in New England 85 sites installed in New England 100 by end of Spring 100 by end of Spring Data available at Data available at Partnerships being formed Partnerships being formed –Georgia Site selection Site selection Communication testing Communication testing –Alabama 7-10 HCN and NERON sites 7-10 HCN and NERON sites –Other Agencies National Park Service MOA in work National Park Service MOA in work USDA USDA

Salisbury, NH — Installed and Operational October 2004 (View to North)

A zoomed-in look at the NERON density for Vermont and New Hampshire.

Synoptic Plot of Air Temperature from Modernized COOP Sites 8 AM EST on 3/16/05 (Color Fill: Blue = Cold; Red = Warm)

Time-Series Plot of Air Temperature from Modernized COOP Sites at Taunton (Red) and Old Forge (Blue) — 3/14-16/05

NERON Funding FY 2005 – $1.64M FY 2005 – $1.64M FY 2006 – $6.10M FY 2006 – $6.10M NOAA’s 2005 Program Decision Memorandum requires: NOAA’s 2005 Program Decision Memorandum requires: –“…complete a Cost and Operational Effectiveness Analysis (COEA) for COOP network in FY05. Determine requirements for a network modernization program and provide alternatives in the FY08 Program Baseline Assessment.”

COEA Information COEA development team formed COEA development team formed –Ken Crawford (NWS) and Sharon Leduc (NCDC) Co- Chair –Contractors for COEA and costing support hired Select Surface Observation parameters to be analyzed Select Surface Observation parameters to be analyzed –Literature Search & Committee Call, Followed by Committee Decision on List of Parameters Summarize existing literature and study results to establish the value of surface observations Summarize existing literature and study results to establish the value of surface observations –Do this for each of the parameters evaluated in the COEA Surveys sent on importance of parameters Surveys sent on importance of parameters

Analysis Approach Do a stepwise analysis of parameter benefits and collection requirements (Survey) Do a stepwise analysis of parameter benefits and collection requirements (Survey) –Presently acquiring surveys and performing initial analysis Collect current system costs Collect current system costs Develop instrument costs based on survey results Develop instrument costs based on survey results Develop alternatives Develop alternatives Integrate cost and benefit data, determine inflection points Integrate cost and benefit data, determine inflection points Identify program planning implications Identify program planning implications

Use of COEA Deliver COEA report to W&W Goal lead for inclusion in PBA Deliver COEA report to W&W Goal lead for inclusion in PBA Form implementation plan based on outcomes Form implementation plan based on outcomes Submit detailed plan for FY 2008 Budget Programming Submit detailed plan for FY 2008 Budget Programming

NERON in FY 2006 Plans for FY 2006 are COEA dependent, current plans call for: Plans for FY 2006 are COEA dependent, current plans call for: – Complete New England & New York (~280 sites) –Incorporate partner sites –Incorporate ASOS Goal: ~640 NERON sites by end of FY2006 Goal: ~640 NERON sites by end of FY2006

OFCM & NERON NERON Program Development Plan calls for: NERON Program Development Plan calls for: –Advisory Committee –Steering Committee –Configuration Control Board DP4coop.pdf DP4coop.pdf OFCM could assist in collection & prioritization of requirements & resources OFCM could assist in collection & prioritization of requirements & resources Aid in formalizing partnership process Aid in formalizing partnership process

The End