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New Edition of the International Cloud Atlas by Stephen A BULLETINVol. 66 (1) - 2017 WEATHER CLIMATE WATER CLIMATE WEATHER New Edition of the International Cloud Atlas An Integrated Global The Evolution of Greenhouse Gas Information Climate Science: A System, page 38 Personal View from Julia Slingo, page 16 WMO BULLETIN The journal of the World Meteorological Organization Contents Volume 66 (1) - 2017 A New Edition of the International Secretary-General P. Taalas Cloud Atlas Deputy Secretary-General E. Manaenkova Assistant Secretary-General W. Zhang by Stephen A. Cohn . 2 The WMO Bulletin is published twice per year in English, French, Russian and Spanish editions. Understanding Clouds to Anticipate Editor E. Manaenkova Future Climate Associate Editor S. Castonguay Editorial board by Sandrine Bony, Bjorn Stevens and David Carlson E. Manaenkova (Chair) S. Castonguay (Secretary) . 8 R. Masters (policy, external relations) M. Power (development, regional activities) J. Cullmann (water) D. Terblanche (weather research) Y. Adebayo (education and training) Seeding Change in Weather F. Belda Esplugues (observing and information systems) Modification Globally Subscription rates Surface mail Air mail 1 year CHF 30 CHF 43 by Lisa M.P. Munoz . 12 2 years CHF 55 CHF 75 E-mail: [email protected] The Evolution of Climate Science © World Meteorological Organization, 2017 The right of publication in print, electronic and any other form by Dame Julia Slingo . 16 and in any language is reserved by WMO. Short extracts from WMO publications may be reproduced without authorization, provided that the complete source is clearly indicated. Edito- rial correspondence and requests to publish, reproduce or WMO Technical Regulations translate this publication (articles) in part or in whole should be addressed to: An interview with Dimitar Ivanov Chairperson, Publications Board World Meteorological Organization (WMO) by WMO Secretariat . 24 7 bis avenue de la Paix Tel.: +41 (0) 22 730 8403 P.O. Box 2300 Fax.: +41 (0) 22 730 8117 CH-1211 Geneva 2 E-mail: [email protected] Switzerland The designations employed in WMO publications and the presentation of material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of WMO concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. The mention of specific companies or products does not imply that they are endorsed or recommended by WMO in prefer- ence to others of a similar nature which are not mentioned or advertised. The opinions, findings, interpretations and conclusions expressed in WMO Bulletin articles and advertisements are those of the authors and advertisers and do not necessarily reflect those of WMO or its Members. Picture Essay: Winners of WMO Influences on the Transfer of Calendar Competition Hydrological Research into Practice . 30 by Ann Calver . 52 The Annual Global Carbon Budget A Good Day to Hang out the Laundry, by Josep (Pep) Canadell and David Carlson . 34 or a 10% Chance of Rain? by Alexander Hall . 58 An Integrated Global Greenhouse Gas Information System (IG3IS) Accreditation Schemes of the Royal by Phil DeCola and WMO Secretariat. 38 Meteorological Society by Chloe Moore . 62 Europe, Developing Energy Sector Climate Services by Carlo Buontempo . 46 Probabilistic Forecasts and Civil Protection by Clemens Wastl, Yong Wang, Andre Simon, Martin Kulmer, Andrea Sigl . 48 2 Vol. 66 (1) - 2017 A New Edition of the International Cloud Atlas by Stephen A. Cohn, National Center for Atmospheric Research (retired) "Before the Storm," Davor, Croatia "Before the Storm," Davor, Ivica Brlic WMO BULLETIN 3 A new edition of the International Cloud Atlas is scheduled to be released simultaneously with this Bulletin following three years of hard work. The International Cloud Atlas is the world’s reference for the identification and classification of clouds and other meteorological meteors. Its use by WMO Members ensures consistency in reporting by observers around the world. First published over a century ago in 1896, the Atlas The new version retains the overall three-part structure has not experienced many updates. There have been of the 1975 text edition, first covering the definition of a numerous fundamental changes in our world since the meteorological meteor and the general classification of most recent in 1975/1987 (Volume I/Volume II), including meteors; then looking at clouds; and finally, discussing the emergence of the Internet and the invention of meteors other than clouds – that is, hydrometeors, cellular phones with cameras. Important advancements photometeors, lithometeors and electrometeors. in scientific understanding, too, have come about. The However, there are several important and interesting time is ripe for a new version. new changes to this edition. Added classifications Among the most exciting and widely discussed aspects of this edition are the new, additional classifica- tions of several known phenomena. The need for continuity over time, particularly to avoid affecting climate records, means that these additions were not undertaken lightly, and existing classifications have not been changed. 1987 As might be expected, no additions have been made to Today’s high-quality cameras and modern technology the 10 genera or primary cloud types. However, a new can deliver an abundance of excellent photographic cloud species has been added: volutus, which occurs examples of clouds and all other meteorological phe- within the genera Altocumulus and Stratocumulus. It nomena, providing better images for the Atlas than ever describes a long, typically low, horizontal, detached before. This allows us to present more phenomena, tube-shaped cloud mass that often appears to roll and to illustrate variation in their appearance with slowly about a horizontal axis. When formed through different locations and viewing conditions. the dynamics of a convective storm, it differs from the supplementary feature arcus in that it is fully detached In an age where the Internet has become a primary resource, from other clouds. The Australian morning glory cloud the new edition will also give the Cloud Atlas a strong is a non-convective example of this species. online presence. Without this, many alternative atlases have appeared online. This threatens the global standardization Five new supplementary features have also been added: of cloud classification, which is one of the primary reasons asperitas, cavum, cauda, fluctus and murus. The most for the existence of the International Cloud Atlas. discussed of these is asperitas, which has been observed and described by many people in recent years. The Cloud Yet the new 2017 edition goes beyond simply providing a Appreciation Society strongly argued for the cloud web-based version: it modernizes information and style and classification to be extended in order to better describe takes advantage of the opportunities of a digital format. This clouds with this appearance – that is, with well-defined, new Cloud Atlas is intended to once again be the de facto wave-like structures in the underside that are more reference standard for classifying and reporting clouds and chaotic and have less horizontal organization than the other atmospheric phenomena referred to as "meteors" in variety undulatus. Some of the new supplementary the Cloud Atlas. Its up-to-date reference material will be easily features have familiar common names – for example, accessible to a wide range of users, from professional observers most people know fluctus as “Kelvin-Helmholz wave”, and trainers to teachers, enthusiasts and the general public. cauda as “tail cloud” and murus as “wall cloud”. 4 Vol. 66 (1) - 2017 Added cloud species volutus (Stratocumulus volutus), Szprotawa, Poland Clearer photographs and context The images used for this new edition often have better quality and information content than those in the previous version. For example, the new image for fog shows this phenomenon’s effect on horizontal visibility much better. The web format also allows for much richer content and presentation. For instance, there is now an interactive image viewer that allows users to actively highlight Gary McArthur features indicated in the captions. This approach is Added supplementary feature asperitas (Stratocumulus much simpler than that of the 1987 printed Atlas, asperitas), Burnie, Tasmania, Australia. which involved using a system of numbers around the border of the picture to pinpoint features. Users A new accessory cloud, flumen, has been included as can also access any supplementary information that well. Commonly known as “beaver’s tail”, it is associated might be available, such as thermodynamic soundings, with a supercell severe convective storm. synoptic charts, satellite images and more. With the image viewer, readers can look at two images side There are also five new special clouds in this edition: by side in order to compare similar but distinct cloud cataractagenitus, flammagenitus, homogenitus, sil- types, or one particular cloud type in different climatic vagenitus and homomutatus. The suffix “-genitus” zones or seasons. indicates that the term describes localized factors that led to cloud formation or growth, while “-mutatus” is added when these factors caused the cloud to change Improved Cloud Classification Aid from a different cloud form. These special clouds are influenced by large waterfalls, localized heat from An extremely useful feature of the last Atlas were the wildfires, saturation of air
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