1. The Global Cryosphere Watch: Recent Activities and Discussion Points
Jeff Key
NOAA/NESDIS, Madison, Wisconsin USA
EC-PHORS-7, March 2017, Ushuaia, Argentina

2. EC-PHORS-7
The Panel is invited to review the overall progress of GCW and provide guidance on the further implementation of GCW.

3. GCW MISSION
GCW will provide authoritative, clear, and useable data, information, and analyses on the past, current and future state of the cryosphere.
GCW will include observations, monitoring, assessment, product development, prediction, and research.
GCW is not assuming the mandate of any of its partners or collaborators. Instead, GCW enables partners to exercise their mandate effectively.

4. What specifically is GCW doing?
developing a network of surface observations called "CryoNet", which builds on existing networks;
providing access to data through a portal;
assessing snow cover products through the GCW Snow Watch project;
creating unique products, e.g., the SWE Tracker, in collaboration with partners;
developing measurement guidelines and best practices;
refining observational requirements for the WMO Rolling Review of Requirements;
building a snow and ice glossary;
providing up-to-date information on the state of the cryosphere;
contributing to WMO’s space-based capabilities database (with PSTG);
engaging in and supporting intercomparisons of products;
engaging in historical data rescue;
developing international training and outreach materials.

5. GCW Development History
First GCW Implementation Workshop (Geneva)
First Snow Watch workshop (Toronto)
Operational (2020)
Pre-operational
( )
CryoNet Team meeting (Reykjavik)
WMO 15th Congress welcomes proposal for GCW
WMO 16th Congress approves GCW development
First CryoNet workshop (Vienna)
Cg-17 GCW Implement. …
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2020
Asia CryoNet workshop (Beijing)
IGOS Cryosphere Theme Report published
South America CryoNet workshop
Second Asia CryoNet workshop (Salekhard)
(Note: Not all meetings are shown)

6. GCW Structure Left: Current structure. Below: Proposed structure.
Diagrammatically they are nearly identical. The difference is in the emphasis on Working Groups, with formal Teams being replaced by projects with ad-hoc teams.

7. Regional Activities Since EC-PHORS-6
Second CryoNet Asia Workshop, February 2016, Salekhard, Russia
The workshop was organized by the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute (AARI) of Roshydromet and the Administration of the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Okrug (YaNAO).
Goals: Identify new stations/sites that could become CryoNet or contributing sites in both terrestrial and marine environments in Asia; review existing observing practices for cryospheric observations and examining advances in measurement techniques, and discussing data policies.
More than 20 sites in the "Third Pole" (Himalaya) region and Siberia were proposed as new CryoNet sites.

8. GCW Structure: Discussion Points Doc 4.1(4)
The panel is invited to decide on the following:
To approve the amendments to the GCW working structure as proposed in Annex 1;
To approve the mechanism for the nomination of new GCW experts, including for the engagement of young scientists in particular, as proposed in Annex 2;
To provide guidance on the strategies and engagements proposed related to the proposed new activities on solid precipitation data and integrated sea ice products (Annex 3);
To agree on the frequency and format of GCW meetings, i.e. to hold yearly meetings involving all GCW experts and the members of the Steering Group, and having side meetings to address priority activities; and
To task the GSG to develop strategies for the transition of GCW from implementation to an operational program

9. CryoNet – the Core of the GCW Surface Network
CryoNet is the core part of the GCW surface network, which is a component observing system of the WMO Integrated Global Observing System (WIGOS).
CryoNet covers all components of the cryosphere (glaciers, ice shelves, ice sheets, snow, permafrost, sea ice, river/lake ice) through an extensive approach of in-situ observations.
CryoNet is initially comprised of existing stations/sites, rather than creating new sites. 9

10. GCW Surface Observing Network
13 submissions from Argentina:
6 proposed CryoNet stations (red)
6 proposed Contributing Stations (green)
1 pending submission (black)
GCW Proposed sites and stations for EC-69 approval:
11 CryoNet sites
77 CryoNet stations
43 contributing stations
Morenas Coloradas Rockglacier
Base Belgrano II
ARA Suboficial Castilio
ARA Canal de Beagle
ARA Almirante Irizar
Base Esperanza
Base Jubany
Base Marambio
Base Orcadas
Base San Martin
Vuriloches
Aonikenk
ARA Puerto Deseado
Left map: sites and stations currently proposed for approval as CryoNet sites, or CryoNet stations, or as Contributing Stations. EC PHORS will review the recommendations from the GCW Steering Group. Final approval by EC-69.
Right-hand side map: focus on Argentina’s contribution to GCW: 13 proposals for stations to be included in the GCW surface observing network, of these:
- 6 are proposed for approval as CryoNet stations;
6 are proposed for approval as Contributing Stations;
1 (Aonikenk) is still pending; the GCW team is waiting for additional info on the observations available on site.
Proposed for EC-69 approval: 11 CryoNet sites, 77 CryoNet stations, 43 contributing stations

11. GCW Surface Network Station Proposals
Site Name
Survey id
Current status
Recommended EC PHORS Decision
Configuration
Country of Operating organization
Country where operational 1
Sodankyla-Pallas 15
Approved trial basis
Confirm approval
CryoNet site
Finland 2
Concordia 64
France-Italy
Antarctica 3
Sonnblick Integrated Site 13
Austria 4
Weissfluhjoch - Davos 73
Switzerland 5
Hofsjökull 52
Iceland 6
Zackenberg GEM ZERO 58
Denmark
Greenland 7
Koxkar 59
China 8
Qilianshan site 14 9
Tianshan site 57 10
Col du Lac Blanc
116
candidate
approve
France 11
Altay site 92
The complete list is in Annex 1 of Doc 4.1(2).

12. CryoNet Measurements: Required, Recommended, Desired
To ensure a unique, high-quality network of surface observations, stations and sites are evaluated for inclusion in CryoNet based on several factors. Fulfilling the minimum requirements does not in itself guarantee acceptance as a CryoNet station. Other criteria that are considered by the CryoNet Team when evaluating applications include (1) the number of recommended variables that are measured (see the lists), (2) the continuity and length of the data record, (3) the extent to which data are available and accessible, (4) sustainability of the station, (5) conformity to GCW best practices, and (6) the location and representativeness of the proposed station relative to the geographic distribution of existing CryoNet stations.
This is the variable list for snow. All lists are on the GCW website.

13. CryoNet: Discussion Points Doc 4.1(2)
The panel is invited to decide on the following:
To approve additional sites and stations for the GCW Surface Observing Network (CryoNet and contributing).
The designation of contributing networks (other, existing networks) as part of the GCW Surface Observing Network, in addition to CryoNet sites and stations and contributing stations.
The adoption of the CryoNet minimum observing programme (variables to be measured) concept.
To request to Members to provide support to the organizations contributing to CryoNet, regarding the implementation and use of OSCAR and WIS.
To approve the GCW Data Policy (Annex 3).

14. Measurement standards and practices
(in progress)
“IUGG urges snow and ice scientists, practitioners, and scientists from related
disciplines to adopt these new schemes as standards.”

15. Step 1: Inventory of existing guidelines:
Step 2: GCW works through these documents, engages the community, and reaches a consensus on best practices for each variable.

16. Observational Requirements and Capabilities
GCW Requirements are being formulated and documented
Those requirements will become part of the WMO Rolling Review of Requirements (RRR)
Requirements need to be in Observing Systems Capability Analysis and Review Tool (OSCAR), the official source for WMO requirements
Dr. Lijuan Ma (CMA) has joined GCW and will continue this work.

17. Snow Dataset Inventory
Snow Watch
Snow Dataset Inventory

18. GTS Snow depth availability
Snow Observations
15/09/12
GTS Snow depth availability
SYNOP TAC + SYNOP BUFR + national BUFR data
Status on 7 January 2017
- Gap in USA, China and southern hemisphere
However, we note an improvement in China (since status in de Rosnay et al, ECMWF NL article 143, 2015), related to TAC to BUFR transition (new reports in China are all BUFR SYNOP)
Working with CBS and EC PHORS to ensure reporting of snow depth on GTS, daily.

19. Snow Watch: Discussion Points Doc 4.1(4)
International exchange of snow data: GCW has proposed to CBS-16, Recommendation 41, changes to the Manual on Global Observing System (WMO No 544). Further changes are proposed to address concerns from the CBS-16 session, and are included in the agenda item 4.1. GCW will be asking EC PHORS for support to resubmit the revision, for approval.
The panel is invited to decide on the following:
To provide guidance on fast-tracking the approval of proposed changes to Recommendation 41 of CBS-16, regarding the international exchange of snow data.

20. GCW Data Portal gcw.met.no is part of WIS (WMO Information System);
interoperable with a distributed network of Data Centers and users.
will exchange cryosphere data, metadata, information and analyses in support of informed decision-making;
Connecting a heterogeneous community of data providers (NMHS, universities, research, other organizations)
gcw.met.no

21. GCW Portal: Progress and Issues
Interoperability has been established with SLF-Davos.
A new link was established with the Canadian Cryosphere Information Network (CCIN).
Discussions with GTN-P have begun.
Interoperability guidelines are progressing.
Issues/Gaps:
While the metadata exchange is working quite well, data exchange is more challenging because of the lack of standardization on file and data formats, semantics, and data models.
WIGOS metadata is not fully supported on the GCW Data Portal. GCW engagement in the Task Team on WIGOS Metadata (TT-WMD) is needed to review of WIGOS vocabulary and update the WIGOS Metadata Vocabulary to reflect the GCW metadata requirements.
Interfaces for the transfer of information to OSCAR are needed.

22. Information Website
The website differs from the METNO GCW data portal in that it contains more dynamic information (news, state of the cryosphere plots, highlights, calendar), as well as background, higher-level information, GCW documents, and outreach material. It links to the METNO data portal.
globalcryospherewatch.org

23. Online Glossary
GCW has compiled a database of cryosphere terms from 26 sources. There are currently 4141 entries; over 2200 are unique.

24. New Assessments

25. New Trackers

26. Updated Handouts