1. Organisation Météorologique Mondiale Pour une collaboration active dans le domaine du temps, du climat et de l’eau
OMM
Operating principles of the WMO Global Data Processing and Forecasting System (GDPFS)
Bernard Strauss
Chair, CBS OPAG on DPFS

2. The Global Data Processing and Forecasting System
A world wide network of operational meteorological centres, delivering a wide range of products for applications related to weather, climate, water and environment
GDPFS functions, organizational structure and operations are designed in accordance with Members' needs and their ability to contribute to, and benefit from, the system
Among the key objectives:
=> To facilitate cooperation and exchange of information
=> To contribute to capacity building

3. The Global Data Processing and Forecasting System
This is achieved through:
Making available NWP products (analysis and forecast, incl. probabilistic information) and climate modelling and prediction information
Making available specialized products tailored for specific applications
Ensuring that the additional information necessary for an appropriate use of the products is available, including:
Systems and products description and characteristics
Verification and monitoring results

4. The Global Data Processing and Forecasting System
The GDPFS is a results-oriented structure
It provides a framework to ensure that products and services are delivered according to stated user requirements, agreed at the appropriate level, on operational quality and reliability
GDPFS centres are committed to perform specific operational activities and to make other centres benefit from them as required
How to ensure operational quality, reliability, sustainability?
Apply QM principles

5. - Overall specification of activities
General purpose activities
Specialized activities
Coordination activities
Global NWP
Limited area NWP
Global ensemble prediction
Limited area ensemble prediction
Nowcasting
Wave and storm surges numerical forecasting
Seasonal and climate numerical prediction (GPC business)

6. - Overall specification of activities
General purpose activities
Specialized activities
Coordination activities
Coordination of high impact weather forecasts (cf. SWFDP)
Tropical Cyclone forecasting
Climate prediction and information (RCC business)
Generation of LRF MME products
Volcanic ash warning and prediction for aviation
Response to Marine Environmental Emergencies
Response to Nuclear Environmental Emergencies
Response to non-nuclear Environmental Emergencies
SDS-WAS …

7. - Overall specification of activities
General purpose activities
Specialized activities
Coordination activities
‘Lead centres’
Coordination of deterministic NWP verification results
Coordination of EPS verification results
Coordination of LRF verification results
Coordination of wave forecast verification
Coordination of GOS observation monitoring results (surface, upper-air, etc.)
Coordination of GCOS observation monitoring results results (GSN and GUAN) …

8. - Detailed specifications
Minimum requirements
Specific requirements
Procedures for modifications
All activities are supposed to include:
Product dissemination
Product verification
Provision of up-to-date documentation
Reporting on compliance

9. Documentation on system and products must be provided (preferably on a website) and kept up-to-date
Reporting on compliance preferably by maintaining appropriate up-to-date status of implementation information available on a web site

10. - Detailed specifications
Minimum requirements
Specific requirements
Procedures for modifications
The required functions and implied commitments are explicitly defined (and approved by EC) for every type of activity
- Mandatory functions
- Mandatory product dissemination via the WIS
- Mandatory verification results
e.g. for GPCs: SVS-LRF
- Mandatory status of implementation information
- Additional recommended functions and products

11. - Detailed specifications
Minimum requirements
Specific requirements
Procedures for modifications
For every activity:
Indication of the body responsible for defining the requirements
Indication of the body responsible for monitoring compliance
In case of joint responsibility:
Indication of the coordination mechanism
e.g. for RCCs: joint CCl - CBS/DPFS task team

12. Coordination with other systems or programmes
WIGOS = input data provider
WIS = means of exchanging data ('discover / access / retrieve')
GISC / DCPC / NC functions have nothing to do with GDPFS functions
=> an operational centre must be WIS compliant and GDPFS compliant

13. Coordination with other systems or programmes
In many cases GDPFS centres operate systems developed under another structure or programme, either by WMO on its own or jointly with other international organizations
RSMCs responsible for transport model products for nuclear emergency response
VAACs
GPCs and RCCs …

14. Coordination with other systems or programmes
Coordination mechanism needed to ensure that the regulations cover both:
The specific requirements defined by the relevant structure
CCl for the RCCs
The general GDPFS criteria regarding operational quality, reliability etc.

15. About 2 questions raised in previous sessions
‘What we produce’ is more important than ‘How we produce’
Cf. discussion on RCC, RCC network, network of RCCs…: several organizations are possible, as long as the mandatory production and information requirements are met
=> Tasks and responsibilities must be clearly defined
E.g. in case of network., identify focal point for users
However, a reasonable degree of efficiency is required for sustainability (if anything)
The question of compliance
Technical aspect: make clear and informative compliance reporting available
Political aspect: action in case of persistant non-compliance?

16. The decision process
Technical requirements (incl. designation criteria)
Defined by relevant Expert Team(s)
Approved by CBS + relevant Technical Commission(s)
Decided by Congress/EC
Centres designations
Proposed by relevant Expert Team(s)
Recommended by CBS
Decided by EC