Greg Bodeker attends GRUAN-GSICS-GNSSRO workshop in Geneva

posted 21 May 2014, 20:19 by Bodeker Scientific   [ updated 25 May 2014, 18:17 by Greg Bodeker ]
Greg Bodeker attended a combined GRUAN-GSICS-GNSSRO workshop in Geneva from 6 to 8 May 2014. The workshop explored how the benefits of integrated high-quality observations of upper-air atmospheric variability and change, following WMO Integrated Global Observing System objectives, could be fully realized. The synergy of ground-based upper-air sounding in GRUAN, satellite-based hyperspectral sounding, and satellite-based GNSSRO refractive index measurements were discussed. Observation requirements and data needs of selected user communities were also considered.

First the acronyms:
GRUAN = GCOS Reference Upper Air Network
GCOS = Global Climate Observing System
WMO = World Meteorological Organisation
GSICS = Global Space-based Inter-Calibration System
GNSSRO = Global Navigation Satellite System Radio Occultation

The workshop was dedicated to discussing GRUAN, GSICS, GNSSRO, and their interaction, interoperability and data utilization, and what contribution these systems can make to meet the requirements of users in numerical weather prediction and climate, in the context of the wider global observing system. The main goals were to:
  1. Identify measures to better connect GRUAN with the satellite community;
  2. Compare methods of measurement uncertainty estimation (including systematic errors), calibration/validation and co-location;
  3. Provide guidance for how the various upper-air observing systems and datasets can better serve meteorological and climate applications;
  4. Develop recommendations for future observing system design.
The meeting greatly benefited from all attendees submitting personal position statements in advance of the meeting that addressed the following questions:

What do you expect from this workshop, and in which area can you contribute to this end?

What is your view on the following issues:
  • What is your vision for an optimized integrated observing system for upper-atmosphere variables?
  • What are the main steps needed to achieve this vision?
  • Which are the main deficiencies in the current system, including gaps in infrastructure, expertise, and training?
  • Which practical steps could WMO and co-sponsored programmes (such as GCOS, WCRP) take to address these issues?
  • How can high-quality ground-based atmospheric sounding such as by GRUAN support needs of the satellite community, now and in the future?
  • How can the satellite community support needs of the ground-based atmospheric upper-air sounding community such as GRUAN, now and in the future?
What are your key recommendations regarding the workshop objectives:
  • The most urgent actions that should be taken by the international community over the next 3 years (based on current resources);
  • The most urgent actions that should be taken by the international community over the next 10 years (assuming additional resources).
A wide range of specific actions and recommendations were developed during the course the workshop which will be summarized in a meeting report that will be published in due course.
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