GCOS Implementation Plan - WMO

Implementation Plan for the Global Observing System for Climate in Support of the UNFCCC
(2010 Update)
Action A3
Action: Ensure sustained operation of surface meteorological stations addressing national and
sub-national needs, and implement additional stations where necessary; and exchange hourly
SYNOP reports and monthly CLIMAT reports from all stations internationally.
Who: National Meteorological Services, in cooperation/coordination with WMO CBS, WMO CCl,
WMO RAs, and WMO WWW.
Time-Frame: Full operation of all stations globally by 2015.
Performance Indicator: Data archive statistics at WDC Asheville.
Annual Cost Implications: 100-300M US$ (90% in non-Annex-I Parties).
To realize the full potential value of the existing networks for application to climate, network operators
should follow the GCMPs. Focused action by the National Services in cooperation/coordination with
WMO CBS, WMO CCl and their RAs will be needed to attain the goal of complete network
implementation. Good station metadata such as accurate station heights and location coordinates are
required.
Action A4 [IP-04 A3]
Action: Apply the GCMPs to all measurements relevant for climate from surface networks.
Who: National Meteorological Services, in coordination with WMO CBS, WMO CCl, WMO RAs,
and GCOS Secretariat.
Time-Frame: Continuous.
Performance Indicator: Quality and homogeneity of data and metadata submitted to
International Data Centres.
Annual Cost Implications: 10-30M US$ (70% in non-Annex-I Parties).
Many observing facilities (over both land and ocean) are being changed from the traditional manual
operation to automatic or quasi-automatic operation. These changes have been demonstrated to
insert potential inconsistencies and inhomogeneities into the climate record, and are addressed as
one element of the GCMPs. Additional guidance on the ways and means to ensure compatible
transition has been provided by the WMO Commission for Instruments and Methods of Observation
(CIMO), in cooperation with WMO CCl and WMO CBS. Implementation of those guidelines,
adherence to the GCMPs and further assessment of the consequences of transition through national
and international studies would allay many of those concerns.
Action A5 [IP-04 A4]
Action: Implement guidelines and procedures for the transition from manual to automatic surface
observing stations. Conduct expert review of the impact of increasing use of automatic stations on
the surface climate data record.
Who: Parties operating GSN stations for implementation. WMO CCl, in cooperation with the
WMO CIMO, WMO CBS for review.
Time-Frame: Ongoing for implementation. Review by 2014.
Performance Indicator: Implementation noted in National Communication.
Annual Cost Implications: 1-10M US$ (60% in non-Annex-I Parties).
4.1.1. Specific Issues – Surface ECVs
The following sections elaborate further on the issues and proposed Actions related to each ECV in
the Atmospheric Domain – Surface.
ECV – Air Temperature
In addition to the land-based observations of temperature described above, the observation of seasurface
temperature, air temperature over the ocean (from VOS and buoys), and sea ice (from the
Arctic and Antarctic buoy networks) is required, as described below in section 5. See section 6.2
(ECV Land Cover) for details on land surface temperature.
ECV – Pressure
In addition to the land-based observations of pressure, pressure data over the ocean are required
from sensors mounted on drifting buoys (also in the sea-ice areas of the Arctic and Antarctic), on VOS
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