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. 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

3. 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)

4. 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 ).

5. Thank you