Satellite Activities in MSC Ontario and the Satellite Products Working Group (SPWG) Edwina Lopes, Manager Science, WEO Ontario Environment Canada SAAWSO Workshop - St. John’s April 23, 2013

MSC WEO Ontario - Our Group and Role  Group consists of meteorologists, scientists, and researchers who work with research advisors.  Operational forecasters also work in the group on an assignment basis.  To improve the transfer of technology and knowledge from R&D to operational forecasting.  To improve nowcasting and remote sensing through techniques and technologies that will improve operational forecasts.  To identify parameters that will predict specific weather and air quality phenomena, develop algorithms, verify predictability and implement into operational forecasting.  To quantitatively project changes in frequency and intensity of future high-impact weather events.

Project Highlights – Satellite & Radar Develop and validate algorithms using satellite data and modelling –To improve nowcasting of convective weather (e.g., summer severe weather, winter heavy snow squalls) –To determine icing and fog – To improve cloud and surface characteristics identification (e.g., fire, smoke/dust, vegetation, snow) Develop and validate algorithms using radar data –To optimize performance –To develop precipitation typing for dual polarized doppler radar –To forecast cloud to ground lightning

SPWG - Purpose SPWG will bring together all groups working on scientific and technical issues related to satellite products within EC. SPWG will work collaboratively to improve, expand, and further the effective use of satellite information within MSC and by its clients. SPWG will act as a focal community to coordinate and leverage departmental resources to efficiently and effectively advance the use of satellite information and resolve both region-specific and national issues. SPWG will propose projects to address issues and make recommendations to senior management.

SPWG - Terms of Reference (TofR) TofR drafted and distributed to Storm Prediction Centres (SPC), Prediction Operations Head (PCH), Science Transfer and Training (STTs), National Lab Managers, Technological Transfer Advisory Committee (TTAC), Comité des Passes Opérationnelles et Parallèles (CPOP), and Regional Directors. Feedback: –Support SPWG and better collaboration. –The scope of the working group could be made clearer by including meteorology - Satellite Meteorology Products Working Group (SMPWG). –Other directorates of S&T should also be included, not just ASTD. –SMPWG should have an executive member added from ASTD –the chief of ARMP would be desirable. –Suggest that a scientist from ARMA that does satellite meteorology be added as a regular member of the group. For now, this could be Louis Garand as he has developed satellite products for GOES for instance. –The ToR also could expand a bit on what the contributions would be from the CIS and the Environmental Emergency Response Section. In both cases, satellite products used/generated are not exclusively satellite meteorology products.

SWPG - Action Items - Themes Improve communication –TofR –Webinars and presentations –Compiled activities list –Ecollab site Identify priorities Immediate activites –Ingestion of MODIS data into Ninjo –RGB configurations in Ninjo Product inventory and assessment –Develop inventory of existing products and websites used and assess User requirements Technical and process issues Product development and validation process Training Centres of Excellence 2013 – Undertaking a satellite strategic assessment in order to develop a strategic plan

SPWG – Strategic Assessment Larger objective will be to understand the scope of satellite requirements, processes, applications and operational activities necessary to manage and use satellite and its impacts on various organizations (MSC, S&T, CSB, SSC, partners) Currently developing the approach (Radar will be used as a model) –Brainstorming exercise –Need to determine current status and future needs and the associated issues and challenges ▪Infrastructure (receivers, communications) ▪data and product processing process ▪Key requirements ▪Visualization platform (Ninjo) ▪Business scenarios –Will need to determine leads and path forward in areas such as ▪Satellite accountability framework ▪Science/R&D plan ▪IT plan ▪Training plan ▪Governance structure

Questions Thank you

Questions for Discussion What are the issues associated with developing and implementing satellite applications? –EC –EC/NOAA collaboration What are the key points from this meeting?

Contact Information Edwina Lopes Manager, Physical Science Meteorological Service of Canada Operations - Ontario Environment Canada 4905 Dufferin St. Toronto, Ontario M3H 5T4 Telephone