Transcript AOPC

Some in situ data matters considered by AOPC
From the Progress Report:
“Developed Countries have improved many of their climate
observation capabilities, but national reports suggest little progress
in ensuring long-term continuity for several important observing
systems.
Developing Countries have made only limited progress in filling
gaps in their in situ observing networks, with some evidence of
decline in some regions, and capacity building support remains
small in relation to needs.
Both operational and research networks and systems, established
principally for other purposes, are increasingly responsive to climate
needs including the need for timely data exchange.”
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From the revised IP:
• Continued attention to baseline and reference networks
• Increased emphasis on:
– comprehensive surface networks, for data on extremes and
impacts/adaptation
– urban measurements
– high-resolution surface reanalysis for gap-filling
– co-located measurements for the atmospheric and terrestrial domains
• Some specific amended or new actions call for:
– transmission of hourly SYNOPs and monthly CLIMATs from full network
– more transmission of hourly precip and radar-derived precip products
– improved surface radiation measurement and data transmission
– provision of BUFR-encoded radiosonde observations
– exchange of data from ground-based GPS receivers
– network development s for atmospheric composition
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At its last meeting, AOPC:
• reviewed as usual the status of observing networks, availability of
historic data, and efforts of the Lead Centres and Secretariat;
• identified a number of matters requiring attention, including:
– global exchange of snow-depth data in SYNOP reports
– more prompt generation of World Weather Records
– inclusion of additional ECV observations in these records
– addition of sunshine data to CLIMAT messages
– transition to use of BUFR encoding
– GTS routeing of CLIMAT messages
• reviewed the progress of the GRUAN and welcomed:
– potential US funding of ARM sites to be part of the network
– JMA’s offer of Tateno as a GRUAN station
– development of an Implementation Plan
– designation of GRUAN as a pilot project of WIGOS
• welcomed improvements in GPCC gauge-based gridded datasets
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And since last meeting of AOPC:
• Large improvement in quality of radiosonde data for India
• In November 2009, all GUAN Stations in Africa reported for
the first time in several years.
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What is GRUAN?
• Reference Upper-Air Network for ground based climate
observation of the free atmosphere in the frame of GCOS
• Currently largely an abstract concept - to be implemented within
the next years
• Eventually ~30 - 40 sites across the globe (currently 15)
• Serving to constrain and calibrate data from more spatiallycomprehensive global observing systems (inc. satellites)
• Providing long-term, high-quality climate records of upper-air
variables („GCOS essential variables”)
– Upper-air temperature (including MSU radiances)
– Water vapour
– Wind speed and direction
– Cloud properties
– Earth radiation budget (including solar irradiance)
– Others
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GRUAN aims to
 Provide long-term, high quality
upper-air climate records, with
complete estimates of
measurement accuracy
Cascade of Networks
 Fully characterize the
properties of the atmospheric
column and their changes
 Constrain and adjust data
from more spatially
comprehensive global
observing systems (including
satellites and current
radiosonde networks)
 Ensure that potential gaps in
satellite programs do not
invalidate the long-term
climate record
 Building on, and augmenting,
existing WMO networks, e.g.
GUAN
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Key scientific questions to be addressed by the GRUAN
• Characterization of changes in temperature, humidity, and wind,
using current operational radiosonde capabilities
• Understanding the climatology and variability of water vapour,
particularly in the UTLS, as well as changes in the hydrological
cycle
• Understanding and monitoring tropopause characteristics
• Understanding the vertical profile of temperature trends
• Bringing closure to the Earth’s radiation budget and balance
• Understanding climate processes and improving climate models
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Milestones achieved so far
• Designation of a GRUAN Lead
Centre at the Lindenberg
Observatory (Germany)
• Definition of major requirements
for reference observations and
what will constitute a formal
GRUAN measurement
• Appointment of initial GRUAN
stations
• Publication of the GRUAN
Implementation Plan 2009-2013
(GCOS-134)
• Annual ImplementationCoordination Meetings
• Appointment of Task Teams
• First GRUAN-quality data
expected in 2010
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2nd Implementation-Coordination Meeting (ICM-2), March
2010
Designation of Task Teams:
• Team 1: Radiosondes
• Team 2: GPS-PW
• Team 3: Measurement schedules and associated site requirements
• Team 4: Site assessment, expansion and certification
• Team 5: Ancillary measurements
• GRUAN Science Team
• Site Team
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