1. Secretariat 12 to 16 February 2017 Abu Dhabi, UAE
RA II-16
Agenda item 4.5 –
POLAR AND HIGH MOUNTAIN REGIONS
Secretariat
12 to 16 February 2017
Abu Dhabi, UAE

2. Agenda Item 4.5
Adopt draft Decision 4.5/1 — Development of the Asia High Mountains Global Cryosphere Watch (GCW) observing network;
Adopt draft Decision 4.5/2 – International Exchange of Snow Data.

3. Development of the Asia High Mountains Global Cryosphere Watch (GCW) observing network
Polar and High Mountain Regions: priority of WMO
Asia high mountain regions: affected by changes in climate risk of natural disasters and changes in water availability
GCW: WMO mechanism providing up-to-date data and information on the state of the cryosphere
CryoNet Asia: GCW network in Asia
Engagement of Members: essential, to reflect national circumstances;
Capacity development (Members) for long term sustainability and data exchange;
Partnerships: stations monitoring the cryosphere in data sparse areas (e.g. above 4000 m).
GCW engagements:
2013: 1st Workshop (China)
2016: 2nd workshop (Russian Fed)
2017 (Sept/Oct): 3rd Workshop: AHECO Asia High Elevation Cryosphere Observations.
GCW CryoNet Asia, 2016
CONTEXT:
WMO Priorities :
Polar and High-mountain Regions: Improve meteorological and hydrological monitoring, prediction and services in polar and high-mountain regions and beyond, by:
(i) operationalizing the Global Cryosphere Watch;
(ii) better understanding the implications of changes in these regions on the global weather and climate patterns, and
(iii) advancing the polar prediction under the Global Integrated Polar Prediction System
Decision 51 (EC-68) endorsed the need to organize regional workshops on high mountain activities with the view of identifying sites over 4000 m, for potential inclusion into the GCW observing network, and its core component, CryoNet.
For the development of the CryoNet Asia, GCW will work with UNESCO, ICIMOD (International Center for Integrated Mountain Development), World Bank, Commission for Hydrology, Climate and Cryosphere, other international organizations active in the region.
New stations will be added at EC-69

4. Acknowledging
(1) That Resolution 40 (Cg-17) established the Executive Panel of Experts on Polar and High Mountain Observations, Research, and Services (EC-PHORS), and requested the regional associations and technical commissions to support the WMO polar and high-mountain activities,
(2) That Resolutions 40 and 43 (Cg-17) and Resolution 51 (EC 68) requested EC to ensure close collaboration with partners concerning the mainstreaming and implementation of the Global Cryosphere Watch (GCW), as a cross cutting activity, including regarding the high mountain cryosphere,
(3) That the GCW is a significant component of the WMO Integrated Global Observing System (WIGOS) and the WMO Information System (WIS), promoting interoperable and reference observations, and near real-time data and information exchange,
(4) That Decision 51 (EC-68) endorsed the need to organize regional workshops on high mountain activities with the view of identifying sites for potential inclusion into the GCW observing network, and its core component, CryoNet, with attention to sites over 4000 m,

5. Having considered:
Recommendation 5.8(2)/1 (CBS-16), requesting that Members contribute to the development of the CryoNet network, and that the regional associations consider relevant CryoNet stations for the Regional Basic Observing Networks (RBON);
The recommendations of the second session of the CryoNet Asia Workshop that identified a framework for establishing CryoNet stations in the high mountain regions of Central Asia, in particular at elevations over 4000 m, in cooperation with Members, other organizations and international agencies;
Agrees :
to endorse the urgent development of the GCW observing network, including CryoNet stations, in the high mountain regions of Asia, building upon existing observing networks;

6. Requests Members of RA II to:
Become actively engaged in the development and implementation of the GCW observing network, including identifying potential CryoNet stations in the high mountain areas of Asia;
Contribute to the development of the CryoNet network by archiving the data on their Data Centers, and making these interoperable with the GCW Data Portal;
Contribute to the development of the GCW Best Practices Guide and Manual, by sharing existing national practices for observing cryosphere components (e.g. snow, solid precipitation, glaciers, ice, permafrost), to ensure an accurate reflection and representativeness of regional practices;
(4) Identify at least one GCW focal point for each Member not having nominated focal points yet for providing liaison with the GCW initiatives;

7. Invites:
Members of RA II to establish partnerships in the Region with organizations having similar interests regarding the monitoring of the cryosphere in the high mountain regions of Asia;
The WMO Commission for Hydrology, Commission for Basic Systems and Commission for Instruments and Methods of Observation to collaborate with GCW in defining the requirements for observations in the high mountain regions of Asia, and preparing the GCW Best Practices Guide and Manual;
Urges the Executive Council to continue its full support to the development and implementation of GCW, and the implementation of CryoNet Asia;
Requests the Secretary-General to provide adequately support to facilitate the execution of this Decision.

8. 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
- NRT data exist and is available (more than station in the US), but it is not on the GTS for NWP applications.
- 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)

9. Recognizing:
(1) The positive impact of snow depth data collected in Europe on NWP, using the BUFR template (Snow observation), adopted by CBS-Ext.(2014),
That the cryosphere is an integrative element within the climate system and provides one of the most useful indicators of climate change, yet, it is arguably the most under-sampled domain,
Acknowledging:
(1) The need for real-time access to in situ snow measurements to support future Polar and High Mountain Regional Climate Centres, as a tool of GFCS services provision,
(2) That the Global Cryosphere Watch (GCW) is a significant component of the WMO Integrated Global Observing Systems (WIGOS) and the WMO Information System (WIS), promoting interoperable and reference long-term observations, and near real-time data and information exchange,

10. International Exchange of Snow Data
At the request of GCW,
CBS-16 recommended to EC:
To approve amendment to the Manual on the Global Observing System, Volume I: Global Aspects (WMO–No. 544) by adding new provisions as follows:
Members should report snow cover and snow depth from all stations where snow is experienced, four times a day;
Members should report values of zero snow depth (0 cm) from the above stations when snow is not present, for the entire period during which snow can be expected. This period shall be defined for each location by the relevant Region;
To request Members to exchange in situ snow measurements in real-time in BUFR through GTS/WIS in accordance with the Manual on the GOS (WMO-No. 544);
Exchange of Snow Data is a Necessity
Sustained, quality snow observations, disseminated in Real Time are critical to the accuracy of forecasts and warnings;
Consistent distribution of snow depth data at least once a day will results in significant improvements to NWP.
Differentiation between “missing” snow and “zero” snow, when snow is expected: critical to improving model accuracy (additional data ).

11. Requests that Members shall :
Assess for each station reporting internationally the period during which snow can be expected, and make sure that such information is recorded in OSCAR/Surface;
Report snow cover and snow depth from stations where snow is experienced, at least once a day, or more frequently on a best effort basis;
Report values of zero snow depth (0 cm) from the above stations when snow is not present, for the entire period during which snow can be expected;

12. Thank you