1. Working Group/Observational Data Fall 2015 Co-Chairs: Mr. Kyle Rushing, NAVO Mr. Vincent Tabor, NOAA/NESDIS Exec. Secretary: Mr. Anthony Ramirez, OFCM Mr. Anthony Ramirez, OFCM

2. 2 Overview Scope of Responsibility Scope of Responsibility Members Members Ongoing Activities Ongoing Activities Action Items Action Items Upcoming Activities Upcoming Activities

3. 3 Scope of Responsibility Facilitate the acquisition, processing, and exchange of observational data among the National Operational Processing Centers (OPCs) and other related data centers. Primary focus areas: Meteorological, Oceanographic, and Space environmental data Provide an interface between the OPCs, their research and development partners in the Joint Center for Satellite Data Assimilation (JCSDA), and the other national data and prediction centers for the purpose of coordinating and satisfying national requirements for observational data Coordinate data formatting standards where practical and the implementation of approved data product enhancements and new data products Coordinate observational data issues that overlap related responsibilities of other OFCM committees and groups Ensure the OPCs and related data centers are provided the maximum quality and optimum quantity of observational environmental data streams required for assimilation into their respective processes

4. 4 Member Agencies/Entities NOAA National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service/Office of Satellite and Product Operations (NESDIS/OSPO), Suitland, MD National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) Center for Weather and Climate (CWC) (formerly NCDC) National Weather Service (NWS), Silver Spring, MD National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP), College Park, MD o Environmental Modeling Center (EMC) o NCEP Central Operations (NCO) o NCO-Silver Spring (formerly Telecommunications Operations Center (TOC)) o Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) National Data Buoy Center (NDBC) Office of Observations Office of Dissemination Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR)

5. Member Agencies/Entities Air Force HQ AF/A3W, Pentagon, Washington DC Air Combat Command (ACC), Offutt AFB, NE 557 th Weather Wing, Offutt AFB, NE 14 th Weather Squadron, Asheville, NC Navy Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center (FNMOC), Monterey, CA. Naval Oceanographic Office (NAVOCEANO), Stennis Space Center, MS Naval Research Laboratory-Marine Meteorology Division Joint Center for Satellite Data Assimilation (JCSDA) (Headquarters), College Park, MD The U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS)

6. 6 WG/Observational Data Co-Chairs Mr. Kyle Rushing, NAVO Mr. Vincent Tabor, NOAA/NESDIS NOAA NESDIS -- OSPO -- NCEI/CWC NWS -- NCEP/EMC -- NCEP/NCO-SS -- NCEP/SWPC -- NDBC -- Office of Observations -- Office of Dissemination OAR Mr. Vincent Tabor Vacant Mr. Jeffrey Ator Mr. Walter Smith Vacant Mr. Rex Hervey Mr. Mark Miller (tentative) Mr. Robert Bunge Dr. Stephen Piotrowicz JCSDADr. James Yoe IOOSMr. Derrick Snowden

7. 7 WG/Observational Data NAVY NAVO FNMOC NRL Mr. Kyle Rushing Mr. Keith Willis Mr. James Vermeulen Dr. Justin Reeves Dr. Patricia Pauley AIR FORCE HQ Air Force/A3W 557 th Weather Wing --14 th Weather Sq. Mr. Eric Wise Mr. Mark Surmeier Mr. Randy Haeberle OFCM Exec. SecretaryMr. Anthony Ramirez

8. 8. Monitor and coordinate resolution of issues that arise due to WMO text to BUFR transition BACKGROUND: BACKGROUND: WMO is migrating from Traditional Alphanumeric Code (TAC) forms to Binary Universal Form for the Representation of meteorological information (BUFR) WMO is migrating from Traditional Alphanumeric Code (TAC) forms to Binary Universal Form for the Representation of meteorological information (BUFR) OPCs have expected a complicated migration and have been responding to issues as they arise. OPCs have expected a complicated migration and have been responding to issues as they arise. TAC distribution was SCHEDULED to end in November 2014, but… Most (but not all) countries will continue to distribute in BOTH TAC and BUFR for months or years TAC data counts will diminish as countries discontinue TAC distribution If production centers do not have replacement BUFR products, we could experience negative impacts OPCs need to temporarily use BOTH TAC and BUFR data OPCs need to temporarily use BOTH TAC and BUFR data WMO will no longer approve any changes to or additions of TAC code WMO will no longer approve any changes to or additions of TAC code Ongoing Activities

9. 9. Status at FNMOC Status at FNMOC Using BUFR radiosonde data in its global model ops run as of 9/23/15 Using BUFR radiosonde data in its global model ops run as of 9/23/15 Continuing to add/modify BUFR decoder definition files as required Continuing to add/modify BUFR decoder definition files as required Adapting DA System to exploit additional (resolution, metadata) info Adapting DA System to exploit additional (resolution, metadata) info Identifying data paths (GTS/NOAAPort) for bulletins to ensure receipt of bulletins is via primary data circuit (GTS) Identifying data paths (GTS/NOAAPort) for bulletins to ensure receipt of bulletins is via primary data circuit (GTS) Partnering with NRL and WG/OD members to identify and report metadata discrepancies and BUFR encoding errors. Partnering with NRL and WG/OD members to identify and report metadata discrepancies and BUFR encoding errors. Status at NCEP Status at NCEP Negligible disruption for NCEP Central Operations Negligible disruption for NCEP Central Operations NCEP EMC re-directing effort (expected several months) to: NCEP EMC re-directing effort (expected several months) to: “Homogenize” BUFR data from different international sources; “Homogenize” BUFR data from different international sources; Adapt to higher resolution data available in BUFR than in TAC; Adapt to higher resolution data available in BUFR than in TAC; Perform duplicate checking ACROSS (rather than within) tanks Perform duplicate checking ACROSS (rather than within) tanks

10. 10. Status at NAVO Status at NAVO Comparing ingested BUFR data vs what is ingested at FNMOC Comparing ingested BUFR data vs what is ingested at FNMOC Continuing to enhance BUFR ingest capability for Ocean data Continuing to enhance BUFR ingest capability for Ocean data Searching web for Oceanographic data available real-time (not on GTS) Continuing to encode releasable data in WMO compliant formats for insertion onto the GTS Status at 557 th Weather Wing Status at 557 th Weather Wing Already processing both BUFR and TAC data Already processing both BUFR and TAC data Crude NWP duplicate elimination in place (assimilate the first observation, reject any that follow for the same place and time) Crude NWP duplicate elimination in place (assimilate the first observation, reject any that follow for the same place and time) Developing improved decoder to address issues found during transition. Developing improved decoder to address issues found during transition. Still concern for downstream systems that have historically depended on TAC data disseminated from 557 th WW Still concern for downstream systems that have historically depended on TAC data disseminated from 557 th WW Assessing potential impact to Joint Environmental Toolkit (JET) at Operational Weather Squadrons Assessing potential impact to Joint Environmental Toolkit (JET) at Operational Weather Squadrons

11. 11. BUFR Migration Monitoring and Collaboration FNMOC, NAVO, NCEP, 557 th WW -- Subgroup FNMOC, NAVO, NCEP, 557 th WW -- Subgroup Weekly conference calls – very active since January Weekly conference calls – very active since January Sharing and comparing data and metadata error discoveries and tracking to final fix Sharing and comparing data and metadata error discoveries and tracking to final fix Consulting data program managers (e.g. upper air) to pinpoint problems and find solutions Consulting data program managers (e.g. upper air) to pinpoint problems and find solutions Finding appropriate U.S. and WMO data POCs to fix data issues – both U.S. and Global Finding appropriate U.S. and WMO data POCs to fix data issues – both U.S. and Global

12. 12. 2015-2.1 Finalize development of and implement the OPC-consolidated, spreadsheet(s) to report and track data errors and other significant data related problems  Some metadata in BUFR messages disagree with WMO Vol. “A”  No Vol. “A” metadata for some sites  Known metadata at center(s) differ from Vol. “A” and/or metadata in BUFR message  Some errors are pre-BUFR  Share/compare data and metadata error discoveries and track to final fix  Include priorities that include impact to models/operations OPR: FNMOC/NRL, AF 557 th, NWS/NCEP/NCO, NWS/Office of Observations Status: Spreadsheet currently being evaluated by NWS/Office of Observations Action Items

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14. 14. 2015-2.2 Develop an OPC-collaborative observational data quality control process -- to include process (spreadsheet) of 2015-2.1:  Metadata error discovery, reporting, tracking, and correction (U.S. and Non-U.S.)  Other data related issues – data access, receipt, loss, bulletin drop-outs  Identify and list key NOAA, U.S. (other than NOAA) and WMO points of contact  Identify OPR to fix data issues – both U.S. and Global  Data program managers (e.g. upper air) to pinpoint problems and find solutions OPR: FNMOC/NRL, AF 557th, NWS/NCEP/NCO, NWS/Office of Observations

15. 15. 2015-2.3 Re-activate (from tabled) Action Item – 2010-2.12-C Conventional Data Annex (to DAPE MOA) Initiative  Include key agency and WMO POC’s and focal points  Include key references OPR: FNMOC/NRL, AF 557th, NWS/NCEP/NCO, NWS/Office of Observations Note: Resources needed to support this effort TBD

16. 16. 2015-2.4 Need NCEP representative on WG/OD to participate in OPC-collaborative data quality processes and initiatives Assimilation and quality control expertise On the same level as FNMOC/NRL, Air Force 557 th and NAVO Inter-agency quality control collaboration should result in skill improvement OPR: NWS/NCEP

17. 17. 2015-2.5 U.S. OPC inclusion on WMO Task Team for Upper Air Transition (forming) tentatively led by UKMO  Need a representative from U.S. as part of the task team  Development of a U.S. data testing process (lead agency/center) prior to dissemination on the GTS  Keep U.S. focal points informed and inclusive in the process  Need representation from a U.S. OPC as part of the team OPR: NWS and OPCs Status: Dr. Patricia Pauley/NRL, WG/OD member, has been selected to represent the U.S.

18. 18. 2015-2.6 Track to implementation, High resolution BUFR radiosonde (RRS) data made available in real time on the GTS for U.S. stations.  Project to transfer native BUFR files from WFO’s directly to NCEP  Estimated completion date: Estimated First Quarter CY 2016 – may be delayed due to departure (reassignment/retirement) of Government managers assigned to the project  Project won’t include data from U.S. military (block 70,72,74) radiosonde sites, since those sites don’t have RRS installed  The Navy no longer has a shipboard radiosonde program  Determine feasibility of a lead agency center for oversight of military upper air stations OPR: NCEP/NCO-SS

19. 19. 2015-2.7 Track WMO.OSCAR implementation for station metadata  Pub 9 Vol A to be discontinued and replaced by OSCAR (now in beta)  How will U.S. update OSCAR: Agency unique or NCEP central?  Will Vol A metadata for BUFR continue to be populated in the interim?  Ensure all OPCs have the OSCAR link http://www.wmo-sat.info/oscar/ and provide feedback on data web sitehttp://www.wmo-sat.info/oscar/ OPR: NWS and OPCs (NCO-SS)

20. 20. 2015-2.10 Consolidate station lists using the best available information.  Currently, disagreements exist between the metadata in BUFR messages, in WMO Pub 9 Vol A, and on NCO/SS (TOC) website at http://www.nws.noaa.gov/tg/siteloc.php. OPR: NWS/NCEP/NCO-SS, NWS Office of Observations Next Immediate Steps  Continue to document metadata and data errors  Develop a process of testing new BUFR data before distributing operationally via GTS  Work with the NWS to better understand roles and responsibilities

21. 21 Thank you -- questions?