1. FIRST INTERNATIONAL MARINE WEATHER CONFERENCE
WMO, Weather, Climate and the Marine Community
It is my pleasure and privilege to present to you a progress report on the activities
of JCOMM.. As you remember, JCOMM-I took place in 2001 in Iceland, at
which the JCOMM structure, the Terms of Reference for each of its groups and
a preliminary workplan were established. The initial focus for JCOMM was on
recruiting the members of its coordination groups and expert teams and to hold
their inaugural meetings. Such activities resulted in a strong team to lead JCOMM
and a challenging and realistic workplan. At the last EC, I had the pleasure of
giving you a progress report on JCOMM’s activities since its inception. In this
report, I will focus on its subsequent activities, and highlight some of the key
challenges that we have to meet collectively.
Peter Dexter

2. OUTLINE
Introduction
The weather forecast process, marine observations and maritime safety services
Global climate, climate change and the mariner
Specialized marine services
Future developments
In this presentation, I will briefly go over some of the key changes in the JCOMM Team, and highlight
The key activities in each program area. I will then present to you three proposals that are being
developed and then move on to some of the key challenges that would require action from the
Assembly and the member countries.

3. Introduction Oceans and atmosphere, weather and climate
The Brussels Maritime Conference of 1853
The International Meteorological Organization and the Commission for Maritime Meteorology
Establishment of WMO and ongoing priorities for maritime safety
In this presentation, I will briefly go over some of the key changes in the JCOMM Team, and highlight
The key activities in each program area. I will then present to you three proposals that are being
developed and then move on to some of the key challenges that would require action from the
Assembly and the member countries.

4. The weather forecast process, marine observations and maritime safety services
The World Weather Watch
Built on the foundations of 1853
Basic structure
The Global Data Processing System and the forecast process
From observation to forecast product
Operates globally, regionally and nationally
In this presentation, I will briefly go over some of the key changes in the JCOMM Team, and highlight
The key activities in each program area. I will then present to you three proposals that are being
developed and then move on to some of the key challenges that would require action from the
Assembly and the member countries.

5. Schematic of the forecast process
The challenges in data management are equally, if not more, complex. We are still struggling to take care of the traditional data, such as the temperature and salinity, while the community is demanding integrated multidiscuiplinary data when and how one needs them.
We also have to address the issues of cost-recovery, publication rights, and security issues.
The data management community is small, resources low, but the number of organizations and institutions is large.
JCOMM and IODE worked very hard to strengthen the partnership and pool the resources for the benefit of all.

6. GDPSS centres
The challenges in data management are equally, if not more, complex. We are still struggling to take care of the traditional data, such as the temperature and salinity, while the community is demanding integrated multidiscuiplinary data when and how one needs them.
We also have to address the issues of cost-recovery, publication rights, and security issues.
The data management community is small, resources low, but the number of organizations and institutions is large.
JCOMM and IODE worked very hard to strengthen the partnership and pool the resources for the benefit of all.

7. Global marine observing network
6000 volunteer ships for surface meteorology
100 volunteer ships for sub-surface
25 volunteer ships for upper air
700 drifting and 100 moored buoys
1000 sub-surface floats
200 tide gauge stations
Ocean satellites
Another element of OPA is GLOSS. However, I will leave this to Phil Woodworth
to discuss.
OPA faces many challenges.
Sustaining the Network: With budget cuts in many of the participating countries, and aging
instruments, sustaining the network is becoming difficult.
Instrumenting many parts of the world. The scientific panels have established the
requirements for each of the elements, however, as we all know the sampling is almost always
well below the need.
Maintaining Standards
Maintaining a high level of interaction.
Responding to the coastal requirements
Establishing a pool of expertise around the world
Vandalism

8. Status of the in situ observing network in early 2003
1) Populating the Southern Ocean will challenge global resources.
2) Ongoing technology challenges include:
2-way communications
2,000-meter depth everywhere
0.02 psu absolute salinity accuracy

9. In Situ Observing System Status April 2003
The other elements of the JCOMM Observations area have been in place for many years. However, one may wonder how well they are performing and what are the challenges that we face to maintain the network.
This slide shows the locations of data that were on the GTS in April It looks like the oceans are well covered. However, bear in mind that this includes all data, and if we look for good quality profiles for model input and other applications, the coverage will be very poor as illustrated in the next slide.

10. JCOMMOPS web site Glossary
OIT: Ocean Information Technology Pilot project
GOSUD: Global Ocean Surface Underway Data pilot project
GEBCDEP: Group of Experts on Biological and Chemical Data exchange Practices.
During the last year, both IODE and JCOMM made significant progress on many fronts. This was due to the efforts of many individuals in both organizations including the secretariats.
There was also some duplication which created extra workload for all of us.
There fore, at the last JCOMM management committee meeting, it was proposed that we try to better integrate the activities of the two organizations.
In consultation with the A/chair of IODE, the IODE, JCOMM and GOOS secretariats, the management committee developed the following recommendations:
The IODE Secretariat be formally part of JCOMM Secretariat, and assume responsibility for JCOMM data management
JCOMM’s ETDMP and IODE’s GE/TADE be merged
JCOMM and IODE co-sponsor the data management groups: OIT, Marine XML, GTSPP, GOSUD, Biological data management, and others as appropriate.

11. VOS web site Glossary OIT: Ocean Information Technology Pilot project
GOSUD: Global Ocean Surface Underway Data pilot project
GEBCDEP: Group of Experts on Biological and Chemical Data exchange Practices.
During the last year, both IODE and JCOMM made significant progress on many fronts. This was due to the efforts of many individuals in both organizations including the secretariats.
There was also some duplication which created extra workload for all of us.
There fore, at the last JCOMM management committee meeting, it was proposed that we try to better integrate the activities of the two organizations.
In consultation with the A/chair of IODE, the IODE, JCOMM and GOOS secretariats, the management committee developed the following recommendations:
The IODE Secretariat be formally part of JCOMM Secretariat, and assume responsibility for JCOMM data management
JCOMM’s ETDMP and IODE’s GE/TADE be merged
JCOMM and IODE co-sponsor the data management groups: OIT, Marine XML, GTSPP, GOSUD, Biological data management, and others as appropriate.

12. Metareas for the GMDSS 5000 merchant vessels observing meteorology.
120 vessels observing subsurface temperature and salinity.
1400 drifters observing meteorology.
100’s of ocean buoys for meteorology and ocean parameters.
Argo, up to 3000 diving profilers to collect synoptic temperature and salinity.
400 tidal stations for sea level climatology.
Arctic and Antarctic ice monitoring.
satellite observations of altimeter/scatterometer/SAR data.
The numbers look impressive.
However, if one looks at the geographical distribution, it will show that
the coverage is denser in certain areas adjacent to countries with a
history of oceanogrpahic sampling.
Each component panels of this program area assesses how well the oceans
are sampled to meet the criteria laid out by the scinetiffic panels annually.

13. Official Web Site of Real Time Maritime Safety Services
5000 merchant vessels observing meteorology.
120 vessels observing subsurface temperature and salinity.
1400 drifters observing meteorology.
100’s of ocean buoys for meteorology and ocean parameters.
Argo, up to 3000 diving profilers to collect synoptic temperature and salinity.
400 tidal stations for sea level climatology.
Arctic and Antarctic ice monitoring.
satellite observations of altimeter/scatterometer/SAR data.
The numbers look impressive.
However, if one looks at the geographical distribution, it will show that
the coverage is denser in certain areas adjacent to countries with a
history of oceanogrpahic sampling.
Each component panels of this program area assesses how well the oceans
are sampled to meet the criteria laid out by the scinetiffic panels annually.

14. Official Web Site of Real Time Maritime Safety Services
5000 merchant vessels observing meteorology.
120 vessels observing subsurface temperature and salinity.
1400 drifters observing meteorology.
100’s of ocean buoys for meteorology and ocean parameters.
Argo, up to 3000 diving profilers to collect synoptic temperature and salinity.
400 tidal stations for sea level climatology.
Arctic and Antarctic ice monitoring.
satellite observations of altimeter/scatterometer/SAR data.
The numbers look impressive.
However, if one looks at the geographical distribution, it will show that
the coverage is denser in certain areas adjacent to countries with a
history of oceanogrpahic sampling.
Each component panels of this program area assesses how well the oceans
are sampled to meet the criteria laid out by the scinetiffic panels annually.

15. Official Web Site of Real Time Maritime Safety Services
5000 merchant vessels observing meteorology.
120 vessels observing subsurface temperature and salinity.
1400 drifters observing meteorology.
100’s of ocean buoys for meteorology and ocean parameters.
Argo, up to 3000 diving profilers to collect synoptic temperature and salinity.
400 tidal stations for sea level climatology.
Arctic and Antarctic ice monitoring.
satellite observations of altimeter/scatterometer/SAR data.
The numbers look impressive.
However, if one looks at the geographical distribution, it will show that
the coverage is denser in certain areas adjacent to countries with a
history of oceanogrpahic sampling.
Each component panels of this program area assesses how well the oceans
are sampled to meet the criteria laid out by the scinetiffic panels annually.

16. Global climate, climate change and the mariner
Oceans, atmosphere and climate
Natural seasonal to interannual climate variability
ENSO
North Atlantic Oscillation
Global climate change and impacts
Anthropogenic forcing
Sea level rise, increased storminess, etc.
The response – enhanced monitoring
WCRP
Global drifter network, Argo
VOSClim
In this presentation, I will briefly go over some of the key changes in the JCOMM Team, and highlight
The key activities in each program area. I will then present to you three proposals that are being
developed and then move on to some of the key challenges that would require action from the
Assembly and the member countries.

17. Global SST during the recent ENSO event
1) Populating the Southern Ocean will challenge global resources.
2) Ongoing technology challenges include:
2-way communications
2,000-meter depth everywhere
0.02 psu absolute salinity accuracy

18. Global SST anomalies during the recent ENSO event
1) Populating the Southern Ocean will challenge global resources.
2) Ongoing technology challenges include:
2-way communications
2,000-meter depth everywhere
0.02 psu absolute salinity accuracy

19. Status of the buoy network in August 2003
1) Populating the Southern Ocean will challenge global resources.
2) Ongoing technology challenges include:
2-way communications
2,000-meter depth everywhere
0.02 psu absolute salinity accuracy

20. Status of the Argo network in August 2003
1) Populating the Southern Ocean will challenge global resources.
2) Ongoing technology challenges include:
2-way communications
2,000-meter depth everywhere
0.02 psu absolute salinity accuracy

21. Status of the global sea level network in October 2002
1) Populating the Southern Ocean will challenge global resources.
2) Ongoing technology challenges include:
2-way communications
2,000-meter depth everywhere
0.02 psu absolute salinity accuracy

22. The VOS Climate Project
1) Populating the Southern Ocean will challenge global resources.
2) Ongoing technology challenges include:
2-way communications
2,000-meter depth everywhere
0.02 psu absolute salinity accuracy

23. Services Pollution Response Maritime Safety Oceanographic
Sea Ice information
Waves and Surges
These are the key elements of the Services program Area.
Maritime Safety Services are a core ongoing activity partly in support of Global Maritime Distress and Safety System of the International Convention on Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS). They
consist of forecast and warning services to shipping via Inmarsat satellite broadcasts and the Navtex VHF radio system. These services are fairly mature so no dramatic developments are needed a
t present time.
The second component is the Marine Pollution Emergency Response Support System. The development of pollution response services is ongoing, with the MPERSS. JCOMM has identified this as requiring a major focus during this intersession.
Sea Ice services represent the third component. It is substantially focused on improving real time detection and measurement of sea ice coverage – extent, type, thickness, movement, etc. and assimilating such data into analysis products
and long term data holdings..
Wave and surge services are also obviously an integral part of JCOMM.
Development of oceanographic services is an emerging issue for JCOMM. The SCG will be forming a team with other PAs, scientific panels and operational agencies to determine how best to meet service requirements for
new oceanographic services.

24. Specialized marine services
Wave analysis and forecasting
Wave model outputs
Publications and support
Ice services
Ice charting and ice climate products
Coastal services
Coastal engineering, recreation
Safety, storm surges, sea level
Fisheries
Offshore industry
Marine pollution emergency response
In this presentation, I will briefly go over some of the key changes in the JCOMM Team, and highlight
The key activities in each program area. I will then present to you three proposals that are being
developed and then move on to some of the key challenges that would require action from the
Assembly and the member countries.

25. An operational wave forecast

26. Application of GLOSS

27. A Product of the Global Digital Sea Ice Data Bank
Mean Arctic Sea Ice Cover

28. Marine Pollution Emergency Response Support System

29. An Operational Marine Pollution Product of Météo France for MPERSS

30. The future
Continuing importance of the oceans and marine users to WMO and NMS
Services
Oceans and climate
Integration of marine meteorology and oceanography
New ocean products
JCOMM and GOOS
Design and oversight
Implementation of a World Weather Watch for the oceans
The legacy of Maury

31. New Ocean Products