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Adrian Simmons, AOPC ChairSession XVI, GCOS Steering Committee

Summary of GCOS/WCRP AOPC annual meeting (April 2008) and ongoing activities

• Four actions from SC-XV

− responses from AOPC-XIV (21-25 April 2008)

− including one related point for SC-XVI from AOPC–XIV

• Another point for SC-XVI from AOPC-XIV

• Other items from AOPC-XIV

• Other matters

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“The SC requested that the three GCOS panels re-examine cryospheric issues in order to review the observation requirements in this domain … and that, subsequent to this, there be a cryosphere discussion at WOAP … .”

Action from SC-XV:

AOPC XIV:

• invited John Cassano to give a specialist presentation on cryospheric issues and heard also reports on the IPY and 2007 Arctic sea-ice cover;

• noted challenge of measuring solid precipitation and need to exploit indirect estimates;

• encouraged relevant agencies to exploit some ready opportunities for improved observation and observation-reporting;

• stressed the need for over-arching data management structures to be planned in advance for projects such as the IPY;

• welcomed the establishment of an ad-hoc group on the Global Cryosphere Watch and stressed need for liaison to ensure consistency of plans for the GCW with revision of the GIP.

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“The SC requested the GCOS Secretariat to develop a framework to facilitate regular reporting on progress against the actions in the Implementation Plan, for example a spreadsheet template listing all actions and performance indicators, in close collaboration with the GCOS Panels.”

Action from SC-XV:

AOPC XIV reviewed GIP actions within its domain, and provided updates to a spreadsheet prepared by the Secretariat.

This was reviewed and updated further at the first meeting on the GCOS 2009 Report, 30 June – 2 July 2008.

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“The SC encouraged close liaison between CEOS and GCOS panels to encourage the appropriate working groups … and data producers … to resolve inter-satellite discrepancies between the climate products for which they are responsible … .”

Action from SC-XV:

AOPC XIV:

• were pleased to see the first results from GSICS;

• welcomed the establishment of the R/SSC-CMs and commended EUMETSAT for providing the secretariat for this initiative;

• welcomed other space-agency climate initiatives (such as that of ESA) and recommended that they be coordinated with the GSICS and R/SSC-CM programmes;

• monitored CEOS actions and inactions in relation to the GCOS Implementation Plan and its Satellite Supplement.

The Chair of AOPC reported on this to WOAP.

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“The SC requested the GCOS Secretariat, in collaboration with the three GCOS panels, to develop guidelines for datasets and products meeting GCOS requirements … .”

Action from SC-XV:

AOPC XIV:• recommended that data and product suppliers provide users with

sufficient information to allow them to assess to what extent the datasets meet GCOS requirements, i.e. the climate-worthiness of the datasets. For this purpose, the suppliers should follow guidelines set by GCOS.

• agreed with the guidelines presented by the Secretariat but recommended that these guidelines also include version management of datasets. The guidelines may later be expanded to include a maturity index for datasets, once such a concept has been fully developed.

AOPC XIV:• noted the (repeated) request that the International Surface Pressure

Databank be recognized by GCOS and the Chair agreed to report on this matter to GCOS SC-XVI.

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Another item for SC-XVI from AOPC-XIV

AOPC XIV:• AOPC invited the GCOS SC to provide further guidance on the strategy

of GCOS for providing and exploiting the data required for adaptation, while offering its expertise to assist the SC in its deliberations.

AOPC XIV:• noted (as has WCRP) the need to:

• understand better the requirements of the adaptation community;• demonstrate to that community the value of the climate observational

record and the capability of existing observing systems; • welcomed workshops that raise awareness of regional needs and

promote data rescue;• recalled the importance of reliable seasonal forecast products tailored for

societal sectors such as agriculture and health;• stressed the importance of reporting and recovering sub-daily data;• reiterated that its core activities should underpin the full range of climate

applications, which includes adaptation to climate change.

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AOPC-XIV:

• as usual reviewed the status of observing networks and availability of historic data, and was pleased by the efforts of the Lead Centres and Secretariat;

• did not question its earlier conclusion regarding CLIMAT TEMPS;

• was concerned that not all Member States have nominated Focal Points for GCOS, and asked CBS to consider whether a single FP for observational issues, including GCOS ones, was a way forward;

• was pleased to see some States providing the NCDC Archive Centre with either on-line access to their climate databases or regular updates;

• noted need for more accurate station location information, for example for Google Earth applications.

[The consolidated list of conclusions, recommendations and action items of AOPC-XIV can be found at: http://www.wmo.ch/pages/prog/gcos/Publications/gcos-122.pdf]

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AOPC-XIV:

• reviewed the progress made in setting up the GRUAN;

• reviewed the status of the GAW and BSRN, expressing views and making recommendation on a number of items, and welcoming in particular the resolution of the issue of the BSRN Archive Centre;

• was concerned at the issues relating to the Voluntary Observing Ships that were presented to it, in particular the masking of ship call signs, and looked to JCOMM to address these issues;

• acknowledged DWD’s support over many years of the Global Precipitation Climatology Centre;

• thanked JMA and other sponsors of the Third WCRP Reanalysis Conference for arrangements that had led to good interaction and fruitful discussion;

• was pleased to learn about new reanalysis activities starting in the US and Japan, and of ECMWF’s progress with ERA-Interim.

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Other actions as Chairman of AOPC have included:

- liaison with the Chairs of the Working Groups;

- commentary on a number of GCOS documents prepared by the Secretariat;

- promotion of GCOS when appropriate opportunities arose, in particular in relation to developing European plans for GMES services;

- attendance at the 3rd WCRP Reanalysis Conference;

- attendance at the first meeting for preparing the 2009 GCOS Report

- attendance at the third session of the WCRP(/GCOS?) Observation and Assimilation Panel.

Other actions of AOPC Chairman

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Radiosonde data receipt by ECMWF

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Precipitation data receipt by GPCC

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GPS RO data receipt for sample 6-hour period