Annual Report 2010 Rainage Rainage Annual Report 2010 2010 Annual Report Table of Contents

FOREWORD...... 4

2010 SIGNIFICANT EVENTS ...... 6

METEO FRANCE, A SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL INSTITUTE ...... 10

1 - THE METEOROLOGICAL SAFETY MISSION ...... 17

From weather “vigilance” to crisis management ...... 18

Managing ﬂ ood risk and water resources ...... 21

Meteorology to support Defence missions ...... 22

2 - METEOROLOGICAL SERVICES FOR AIR NAVIGATION ...... 23

Météo-France, a service provider for the French airspace ...... 24

Airﬁ eld and airport services ...... 27

Rationalisation of the “en route” service in the FABEC perspective ...... 27

Research and development with SESAR ...... 28

3 - COMMERCIAL ACTIVITY ...... 29

Meteorological services adapted to individual needs and accessible at all times ...... 31

Customised services for businesses and professionals ...... 32

Météo-France’s subsidiaries...... 34

4 - TRAINING STAFF AND TEACHING METEOROLOGY, ...... 35 INFORMING, AND DISSEMINATING DATA

Training staff and teaching meteorology ...... 36

Disseminating science and meteorological data ...... 37

Providing broad information on meteorology ...... 38

5 - FORECASTING ...... 39

Towards a reorganization of the forecasting services ...... 40

The operational numerical forecasting ...... 41

Nowcasting...... 44

2 METEO FRANCE | 2010 ANNUAL REPORT

6 - UNDERSTANDING THE PAST AND FUTURE CLIMATE ...... 45

Climate memory ...... 46

Climate scenarios for the future and research within the IPCC framework ...... 49

7 - THE RESEARCH MISSION ...... 51

The development of numerical forecasting systems ...... 52

Experimental resources and development of measurement techniques ...... 53

International ﬁ eld experiments to improve forecasting ...... 54

8 - OBSERVATION AND INFRASTRUCTURES ...... 57

Surface observation ...... 58

Meteorological radar networks ...... 60

The development of key infrastructures ...... 62

9 - OUR INTERNATIONAL DIMENSION ...... 63

The World Meteorological Organization ...... 64

Cooperation with European bodies and organizations ...... 66

The other multilateral and bilateral cooperation ...... 68

10 - THE LIFE OF THE INSTITUTE ...... 69

A development strategy to answer scientiﬁ c,...... 70 economic and environmental stakes

Administrative and ﬁ nancial organization ...... 72 at the service of the institute’s projects

Commitment to an exemplary human resource policy...... 74

An institute that cares for its service quality ...... 76 and its environmental footprint

11 - APPENDICES ...... 77

Glossary of initial, acronyms and abbreviations ...... 78

Météo-France’s scientiﬁ c advisory committee ...... 80

Météo-France’s board of governors ...... 81

The year in review ...... 83

3 Foreword

In 2010, a non-standard meteorological year, we experienced a succession of critical events: storm Xynthia, exceptional rains and ﬂ ooding in the Var Département then in the Gard Département, repeated heavy snows, eruption of the Icelandic volcano Eyjafjöll which caused upheavals to air trafﬁ c over several weeks.

Faced with conditions that sometimes exceeded the limits of the state of the art in forecasting, Météo-France remained on a preparedness status in order to anticipate any changes in the meteorological conditions, to provide the authorities and the population with all necessary warnings, and to contribute in the crisis management. Strong de- mands were made on the staff which fulfi lled its role with rigour and professionalism. More than ever, Météo-France reaffi rmed its image as a permanently committed national meteorological service, combining scientifi c competence and operational expertise for the benefi t of all.

The aftermath of some of the meteorological disasters has certainly been very painful. It could nonetheless be said that the considerable progress accomplished by weather forecasting over the last 10 years, as well as the pertinence of the warning systems implemented under the aegis of Météo-France, have contributed to reduce their effects.

In the light of these experiences, ways of progress that should quickly bear fruit were placed in evidence to further improve the alert chain, enhance vigilance and the issuance of warnings, and encourage research on small scale phenomena forecasting.

Throughout 2010, Météo-France also pursued a major effort to evolve. Its strategy is clear: developing research, maintaining infrastructure excellence, further improving production quality.

4 METEO FRANCE | 2010 ANNUAL REPORT

Foreword

An internal reorganization, launched in 2009, seeks to simplify current working methods and to free up resources in order to concentrate on challenges for the future. To this effect, 2010 saw the development of major projects aimed, in particular, at: implementing updated tools for forecasters, promoting advisory forecasting as a users’ service, improving forecasting for the aeronautics as a contribution to the Single European Sky process, rationalising the observation system. Within the scope of these changes, the reorganization of the local ofﬁ ces has been initiated to end up in a smaller scope, in which each location will be endowed with real critical size, while still offering the densest meteorological network in Europe. This major change will be one of the Météo-France’s keys for success in the years to come.

Thus, although it was confronted with repeated meteorological crises, Météo-France has always remained available for bringing its assistance to all stakeholders, including authorities and citizens, while pursuing its own evolution and preparing for the future. More than ever, Météo-France’s ambition is to remain the reference national meteorological service, at the service of all citizens.

François Jacq Chief Executive Ofﬁ cer

5 2010 SIGNIFICANT EVENTS

> 2010 SIGNIFICANT EVENTS

Flooding at La Rochelle in Charente-Maritime after the passage of storm Xynthia in February 2010. © Météo-France, La Rochelle CDM (Meteorological Centre) CDM (Meteorological Rochelle La © Météo-France,

A particularly severe year in the area of personal and property safety

In 2010, France was struck by a large num- The heavy human casualties of the fl ooding asso- ber of severe weather events with dramatic ciated with Xynthia (53 casualties in Vendée and consequences: windstorm Xynthia, accompa- Charente-Maritime) and with rainstorms (23 casual- nied, on the littoral, by exceptional storm sur- ties at Draguignan) were a stark reminder of the ges that brought about catastrophic fl ooding on need for a better knowledge of the vulnerability 27 and 28 February; rainstorms that generated of the territories exposed to different potential severe fl ooding, in particular on 15 June in the types of fl ood risk. It also points out the conco- Var Départment, then on 6 and 7 September in mitant necessity to continuously improve war- Languedoc and in Provence; frequent episodes ning systems, such as the vigilance, as far as it of snow and extreme cold spells affecting most is enabled by the state of the art in meteorologi- of mainland France during the months of January cal, hydrological and oceanographic forecasting. and February, then in November and December. In 2011, Météo-France will pursue the work under- In this context, with red or orange vigilance war- taken with its partners in order to quickly imple- nings declared for 118 days in the year, Météo-France ment a “waves – storm surge” vigilance system was strongly solicited to ensure effective forecas- in coastal regions and to develop a warning sys- ting of dangerous meteorological situations and tem at an infra-Département scale for areas to bring appropriate assistance to the security presenting a strong risk of fl ash fl ooding. services and the crisis management operators.

During the same period, the Overseas Territories were not really spared as two tropical cyclones, Oli and Tomas, affected French Polynesia, Earl, Fiona and a new Tomas swept over the Antilles, while Igor caused record rains and winds in Saint-Pierre and Miquelon.

6 METEO FRANCE | 2010 ANNUAL REPORT

Eruption of Eyjafjöll in Iceland on 8 May 2010: turbulent gas and ﬁ ne ash columns rise above the volcano. © P. Allard © P.

Volcanic ash from the Eyjafjöll eruption

Tens of thousands of cancelled fl ights, millions greater heights to take off again. The European Union of travellers stranded for over one week – and all gradually reopened its airspace, but traffi c remai- because of the ash cloud resulting from an eruption ned disturbed for another two weeks before being of the Icelandic volcano Eyjafjöll that paralysed the completely restored to normality. The International European airspace. Air Transport Association has estimated the fi nancial loss suffered by airlines at more than one billion The eruption started on 20 March 2010. However, on Euros. 14 April, the lava caused a signifi cant meltdown of the ice covering the volcano, which brought about Chapter 2 restates the activities of Météo-France violent fl oods and the formation of a huge volcanic which, over the entire duration of this episode, was plume. The fl oods destroyed a large number of dwel- placed on duty 24 hours a day as the back-up of the lings and infrastructures in Iceland. Almost 50 million London Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC) and to cubic meters of ash were ejected into the atmos- give assistance to the national authorities in charge phere on a daily basis. But, these particles, which of this crisis management. Thanks to its staff’s contain a substantial proportion of silica, also consti- intense activity, the institute participated in the crisis tute a danger for aircraft. They can, in particular, management effort by producing transport and ash cause the engines to stop. The plume was pushed dispersion forecasts and by involving the research westward by the prevailing winds and brought about aircraft of the SAFIRE unit. The measures of volcanic a closure of almost the entire European airspace for ash concentration, carried out upon request from the several days. government, allowed to validate the national strategy for authorising commercial fl ights in some air corri- From 20 April onwards, the glacier that covered the dors before the airspace was completely reopened. crater having completely melted, the plume gradually reduced in size. In spite of its persistence over a great part of Europe, the ash cloud did not exceed 4 or 5 km in altitude, which enabled planes fl ying at

7 2010 SIGNIFICANT EVENTS

Haitian meteorologists hosted at the National School of Meteorology [École nationale de la météorologie (ENM)] in Toulouse for a training course on forecasting. © Météo-France, C. Marchyllie © Météo-France,

International assistance to Haiti

Another event cruelly marked the start of the year: A specifi c forecast unit was thus set up at the between 12 and 20 January 2010, Haiti suffered seve- Martinique Meteorological Centre as early as June, ral earthquakes of magnitudes between 5 and 7.3, with the participation of forecasters from Météo- which caused some 230,000 people killed, 300,000 France, Environnement Canada and the British Met seriously injured and 1.2 million left homeless. Many Offi ce. In addition, a workshop on the use of a sys- buildings were destroyed, including the Presidential tem to assist in the management of fl ash fl oods Palace. The structures and organization of the was organised with the US National Oceanic and Haitian state suffered, and a state of emergency was Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The public web- declared for the entire country. site, www.meteo-haiti.gouv.ht, created and operated by Environnement Canada with the collaboration of Having barely survived this catastrophe, the country, Météo-France, became fully operational and acces- although in total paralysis, had to prepare for the sible to the public from June 2010 onwards. This site rain and hurricane seasons, often accompanied by includes meteorological information and warnings, violent winds, torrential rains, fl oods and landslides. marine weather bulletins and fi ve-day weather forecasts for the principal cities in the country. In collaboration with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and several European and With a longer term perspective, fi ve Haitian meteoro- American meteorological services, Météo-France logists came to the National School of Meteorology supported Haiti’s National Meteorological Centre, in Toulouse for a forecasting training course that will providing it with means to fulfi l its meteorological run from September 2010 to July 2011. safety mission for the benefi t of a population that had become particularly vulnerable.

8 METEO FRANCE | 2010 ANNUAL REPORT

Within the scope of the “Weather School” project, almost 500 primary school students met at the Cité des Sciences in Paris on the occasion of the World Meteorology Day on 23 © Lionel Pagès Photographies Pagès © Lionel Mét éo-France/ March 2010.

Météo-France – receptive to young people and to the general public

Like every year, in 2010 Météo-France has been meteorological and climate science, adapted to receptive to its public and devoted signifi cant their needs. Two animated fi lms are intended to resources to its training and awreness-raising activity. sensitize young people to the use of the weather vigilance maps in order to enable them benefi ting The institute’s website was redesigned and from pertinent behavioural advices. reinforced to enable better access to didactic didactic information concerning meteorological Several actions have been undertaken over the entire and climate phenomena. A “public data” portal territory both in the form of conferences, exhibitions (https://public.meteofrance.com/) was created to (at the Mont-Aigoual station, the Cité de l’Espace in make a broad range of data and products available Toulouse, Nausicaa in Boulogne-sur-Mer, etc.) and to the public. Certain developments now allow of projects like the “Weather School”, “Weather at promoting access to new offers for the general public School” and the “Young People’s Regional Weather over the Internet, the mobile Web or TV via ADSL. Meetings”. These actions were very popular and Several manuals were published in the “Remarkable successful (see Chapter 4), and this year the “Young Phenomena” and “Courses and Manuals” series, People’s Regional Weather Meetings” earned the published and distributed by Météo-France. Outreach and Communication Award 2010, a prize from the European Meteorological Society (EMS). As meteorology is an excellent educational vector to lead students from observation to a profi cient knowledge on advanced scientifi c notions, many initiatives have been developed in cooperation with the French National Education Ministry and with a number of different educational and cultural associations. Thus, for example, the site http://education.meteofrance.com now offers teachers educational resources related to

9 METEO FRANCE, A SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL INSTITUTE

METEO FRANCE, A SCIENTIFIC > AND TECHNICAL INSTITUTE

Since the beginning of the 17th century, meteoro- innovation and operational service to the benefi t logical science has built up its understanding of of all organizations and individuals. Close to its atmospheric phenomena by using a multidisciplinary public and aiming to answer its needs in the best scientifi c approach that combines mathematics, possible way, Météo-France collaborates with all physics and chemistry. Météo-France has developed concerned stakeholders to forecast the weather its scientifi c, technical and operational skills on these with precision, measure climate change impacts, grounds. support decision-making in weather sensitive companies, assist air navigation, communicate Météo-France’s scope of activity ranges from stu- forest fi re warnings, monitor maritime pollution, dying the climate of past centuries to forecasting the measure air quality, and evaluate fl ood risks. weather over a few days and the future evolutions of the Earth’s climate. Describing the behavior of the Météo-France’s main mission is to warn populations atmosphere and the climatic system calls upon a and authorities of dangerous meteorological phe- complex science, whose uncertainties are inherent nomena such as storms, fog, avalanches, torrential to a still incomplete understanding of the involved rains, cyclones, snowstorms, or lightning, whose mechanisms. Météo-France’s scientists must tackle impacts can be mitigated with suffi cient antici- these challenges. pation. This crucial mission requires continuous monitoring of the atmosphere, ocean surface and The strength of the institute is its wide expertise snow cover, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. covering of all the fi elds from operations to research, at all spatio-temporal scales. This cross-fertilization Information from all over the world is gathe- between engineering and research work represents a red by the National Forecasting Centre at the major asset. Météopole in Toulouse. Then, it is analyzed, modelled and subjected to expert assessment Watching over the weather and the climate, in order to prepare, in collaboration with Météo- Météo-France is a scientifi c and technical insti- France’s local centres, bulletins and more so- tute meeting the combined challenges of science, phisticated products responding to the specifi c needs of private individuals and professionals.

Gaining one day every 10 years

Today, a 3-day forecast is of a quality that is similar to a 2-day forecast issued in 2000. © Météo-France, P. Pichard P. © Météo-France,

10 METEO FRANCE | 2010 ANNUAL REPORT

But the institute’s mission extends well beyond “sim- Over one million ple” weather forecasting. It increasingly takes into account the meteorological phenomena consequen- visits per day ces. Météo-France’s expertise thus contributes to provide decision support to public authorities as well The weather “vigilance” map is ac- as to its partners in France and around the world. cessible on the Météo-France Website To illustrate only a few examples, Météo-France inter- which receives over one million visits venes: per day. The latest generation model AROME, with a ﬁ ne grid 2.5 km size, • To warn of river ﬂ ooding risks, in support to the provides short-range forecasts of dan- departments of the Ministry in charge of Sustainable Development; gerous weather phenomena. • To manage maritime pollution, thanks to its MOTHY model monitoring pollutant drift, in support to maritime authorities; The weather “vigilance” map is designed to warn the population and recall all of the precautions required • To support the Ministry of Health’s National to protect oneself from the weather hazards expec- Institute for Health Monitoring (INVS) in preparing ted over the next 24 hours. This system, closely lin- heat wave emergency plans and UV index communi- ked to the authorities in charge of civil protection cation; and of major risk prevention, includes mountain avalanche risk bulletins, special maritime bulletins, and • To provide the armed forces with operational assis- a cyclone watching system based in Reunion Island tance on national territory and in foreign operation in the Indian Ocean. theatres.

11 METEO FRANCE, A SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL INSTITUTE

Ensuring air trafﬁ c safety and regularity

In the context of the Single European Sky, Météo-France contributes to air traffi c safety and regularity. The challenge is three- fold: to improve fl ight safety (15% of all aviation accidents are linked to weather issues), to protect the environment (the objective is to reduce the environmental impacts of each fl ight by 10% by the year 2020), and to save money (on average each year, in Europe, fl ight delays cost airlines 2 billion Euros).

For the Roissy-Charles de Gaulle airport, Météo-France has developed a Website, CDM@CDG, which is unique in Europe. © Météo-France, D. Legain D. © Météo-France, Wind sensor on the Roissy – Charles de Gaulle airport. It collects and communicates in real time the meteorological information required, for rapid joint decisions, by all airport stakeholders: Paris Airport authorities, airlines, etc.

International airports are given special attention. They are equipped with automatic weather stations, telemeters to measure cloud base height, scatterometres for visibility, and sensors deter- mining soil conditions: i.e., dry, wet, frozen or snowcovered.

Weather has no borders: an international monitoring network

The weather in America or in the Pacifi c can infl uence weather that will occur fi ve or six days later in France. To produce forecasts it is therefore necessary to collect data from all around the globe, information that meteorological services exchange with each other under the aegis of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). Météo-France, as the offi cial representative of France, is associated with the WMO’s programmes and activities. Its responsibilities include in particular international meteorological monitoring, cyclone watching, observation harmonization, and monitoring of air pollutant diffusion. © Météo-France, P. Taburet P. © Météo-France, Météo-France contributed to the national nuclear crisis simulation, on the Tricastin site, in September 2010. Météo-France is also a member of EUMETNET, the network of 26 European meteorological services. It cooperates closely with the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) based in England, and with EUMETSAT, the organization managing the European meteorological satellite observation programmes.

12 METEO FRANCE | 2010 ANNUAL REPORT

Conducting research on climate and climate change

To supply climate change studies, long series of measurements of past climates in mainland France and in the overseas territories are collected and digitalized. Saving them is one of Météo-France’s missions. Storage and access tools have been set up to make them rapidly available. For example, they allow characterizing recent climatological events in real time by comparing them with those of the past.

Research on climate change and its impacts are at the core of the institute’s strategy. Météo-France analyzes and simu- © Météo-France,/CNRM/GAME, J.-C. Canonici © Météo-France,/CNRM/GAME, 30-Watt Argon laser used for measuring and visualising lates future possible climate change for providing arguments atmospheric ﬂ ows in the hydraulic channel of the Météopole, and contributing to mitigation and adaptation policies. The in Toulouse. quality of Météo-France’s research activities is acknowled- ged by both the national and international communities.

Contributing to the economic Météo-France’s National Centre for development thanks to meteorology Meteorological Research (CNRM) As a leading player in the national meteorological market, Météo- brings together 300 scientists, France offers products and services to professionals and to the engineers and PhD students. general public via several channels: the Internet, telephones, cell phones, dedicated web-sites, and of course TV, radio and news- papers. Météo-France offers relevant meteorological information that represents a unique decision-support tool for a wide range of professionals: local authorities, tradesmen, farmers, road network operators, construction and energy utilities managers, etc.

Training and teaching meteorological science

Météo-France is particularly active in teaching meteorology and in raising awareness regarding sustainable development. Many projects are organized with national schools and associations. The National School of Meteorology (ENM) trains all of Météo-France’s technical staff along with mili- tary personnel specializing in meteorology. In September 2009, it signed an agreement for reinforced collaboration with the Institut National Polytechnique de Toulouse (INPT). © Météo-France, P. Pichard P. © Météo-France,

Secondary school pupils participating in the 7th Regional Young People’s Weather Meeting, on the Météopole, in Toulouse.

13 METEO FRANCE, A SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL INSTITUTE

Météo-France has created subsidiaries to meet speciﬁ c needs:

There are ﬁ ve such subsidiaries:

• Meteo France International occupies a special position, providing engineering to foster the construction It is estimated that high or renovation of weather agencies throughout the quality meteorological world; forecasting allows the French economy to save 10 billion • Météorage, in partnership with the Finnish Väisälä company, supplies lightning prevention and storm Euros each year. monitoring products;

• Predict-services, in partnership with the BRL and Infoterra companies, provides assistance in preparing municipal protection plans to face ﬂ ood risks; 25 to 30 % of the GDP • Météo-France Régie, a 100% subsidiary of Météo- France, is in charge of managing the Website adverti- is directly inﬂ uenced sing space; by weather conditions.

• Metnext, in partnership with the French “Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations” and with Nyse-Euronext, provides companies with economic weather indicators related to their activities. Météo-France: an eco-responsible institute All of these activities are covered by the 2009- 2011 Contract for Objectives and Performance Sustainable development is a major preoccupation that was signed with the Government. at Météo-France, and the institute contributes to France’s “Responsible State”pro During this period, Météo-France will mobilize gramme. Actions deployed to this end include: its scientiﬁ c, technical and human potential to respond to the new requirements of a society • Implementing videoconferencing and E-learning confronted with the challenge of sustainable systems to minimize travelling; development. The expectations of citizens, public • Quantifying the carbon footprint of its main authorities and economic stakeholders will have facilities; impacts on all of Météo-France’s ﬁ elds of activity, • Developing an “eco-responsible” purchasing poli- from research to operational services. cy, to favour the least harmful products in terms of greenhouse gas emissions; • Imposing low-carbon emission conditions in the construction of its new buildings.

14 METEO FRANCE | 2010 ANNUAL REPORT

How is Météo-France organized? Météo-France relies on a network of facilities throughout the French national territory, organi- In order to ensure its various responsibilities, Météo- zed into eleven regions: seven in mainland France France is organized into central divisions in charge of (North, West, South-west, South-east, Central-east, its main missions and a territorial network equipped to North-east, and Île-de-France/ Centre), four overseas apply the main orientations and to guarantee that local (Antilles-Guyana, Reunion Island, New Caledonia, issues are taken into account. and French Polynesia). These regions carry out Météo- France’s missions under the overall supervision of the The central divisions include: central divisions. They combine forecasting activities, decision support for public authorities, implementa- • The division in charge of observation and information tion of observation networks, etc., and are coordina- systems. This is the ﬁ rst link in Météo-France’s chain of ted at the national level by a body within the institute activity. Indeed, collecting information on “the latest executive management division. weather” is the primary duty for any meteorological or climatic activity. Data collection, transfer, dissemination and processing require robust, high-performance Finally, Météo-France also includes entities in charge information systems. This entity is also in charge of of administrative, technical and ﬁ nancial manage- the computer centre with its supercomputer; ment:

• The division in charge of forecasting and climatology • The General Secretariat; ensures the processing of the collected information as well as the operational implementation of models and • The Human Resource Division; databases that feed forecasting and climatic analyses. This entity is also in charge of all Météo-France’s pro- • The division in charge of institutional missions, duction systems (manufacturing of products based on acting as an interface for the public procurement meteorological data); authorities;

• The National Centre for Meteorological Research • The Quality Division. (CNRM) coordinates the research policy and supervise the research groups who feed Météo-France’s operational activities;

• The commercial division is in charge of coordina- ting Météo-France’s activities outside the scope of its public missions;

• The National School of Meteorology (ENM) is a higher education institute that ensures initial training and continuing professional training of Météo-France’s technical staff.

15 METEO FRANCE, A SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL INSTITUTE

General organization of Météo-France as of 31/12/2010

Higher council Ministry of sustainable on meteorology 7 Inter-Regional Divisions development In Main France Chief executive ile- de-France- Officer centre François Jacq Charles Dupuy

North Patrick David

North--East Dominique Landais

Central-East Michèle Champagne Territorial Institutional South-East facilities and international missions Jacques Manach Claude Dué Alain Ratier

South-West Marc Payen

West Monique Ciccione

4 Inter-regional divisions in the French Overseas General Quality Human Territories secretariat resources Antilles-Guiana Agnès Mouchard Jean-Marc Bonnet Yve Ferry-Delétang Patrick Van Grunderbeeck

Reunion Island Yves Grégoris

French Polynesia Gérard Therry

New Observation Forecasting Research Commercial Education Caledonia and information and climatology division and training Eric Petermann systems Patrick Tchang Alain Soulan Philippe Bougeault Michel Assouline François Lalaurette

16 METEO FRANCE | 2010 ANNUAL REPORT 1

THE METEOROLOGICAL SAFETY MISSION Météo-France / Alain Lapujade / Alain Météo-France

In accordance with the orientations of its 2009-2011 Contract for Objectives and Performance, Météo-France has devoted the most signiﬁ cant part of its resources to the missions aimed at ensuring meteorological safety of people and property and meteorological support to the armed forces.

The year 2010 was exceptional due to the diversity of meteorological dangers to be faced and to the dramatic consequences of storm Xynthia and of fl oods in southern France. Following these exceptional events, Météo-France proposed new developments within the scope of the Storm surge and fl ash fl ood prevention plan published on 13 July. 1 THE METEOROLOGICAL SAFETY MISSION

From weather “vigilance” to crisis management

With orange or red vigilances attributed to 53 episo- The performance indicators witness a reduction in the des and 118 separate days, the fi gures (see Table) false alarm rate at the Départemental scale without refl ect an exceptional meteorological year. It is also any concomitant increase in the rate of non-detec- characterised by two red vigilance episodes and by tion, and also some progress regarding anticipation the diversity of the phenomena that have affected of the most unforeseeable phenomena. However, mainland France. The winter situations had their sha- the exceptional level of the quantitative indicators re with one orange “extreme cold” vigilance episode is partially explained by the predominance of large in the Loiret and the Loir-et-Cher Départements and, scale winter phenomena, which are more easily fore- above all, a record number of 23 orange “snow – ice” casted than rainstorms. The rate of weather vigilance vigilance episodes pertaining to 48 days distributed map awareness has also reached a remarkable level. over January and February (27 days) and November- December (21 days) and affecting 55 Départements. Without being exceptional, the 2010 tropical cyclone The statistics are closer to usual for the other pheno- activity signifi cantly affected the French Overseas mena, even if a number of Départements were placed Territories. In February, tropical cyclone Oli gene- under orange “heat wave” vigilance during summer. rated a very strong swell which struck the island of

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Number of red or orange “vigilance” episodes 46 40 44 (50)* 47 (54)* 53 (58)*

False alarm rate at the Département level 25 % 26 % 18 % 17 % 14 %

Rate of non-detection at the Départment level 1 % 2 % 2 % 2 % 2 %

Anticipation ≥ 3 hours at the Département level 81 % 80 % 84 % 88 % 87 %

Rate of pertinent Special Weather Reports (BMS) 79 % 84 % 77 % 83 % 85 %

(Source: Interministerial Weather Vigilance Monitoring Committee) * Including the episodes exclusively regarding ﬂ ood waves, managed by SCHAPI

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Rate of weather vigilance map awareness 83 % 86 % 86 % 86 % 89 %

(Source: Credoc 2010)

18 METEO FRANCE | 2010 ANNUAL REPORT

Weather vigilance map issued on 27 February at 16:00 to warn about the arrival of storm Xynthia during the coming night. Very Strong Wave warning reports were issued starting at 09:00 as an advisory of the ﬂ ood risks associated with strong waves and exceptional storm surges.

Tubuai, in Polynesia. In mid-March, it was the Wallis rainstorm episode of 7 September over the Gard and and Futuna archipelago that was swept by a tropi- Ardèche Départements. cal cyclone with average wind speeds of 175 km/h. Although there were no victims, the Futuna island The strong winds produced by Xynthia were entirely was badly hit. In the Antilles, after a late start, the foreseeable and perfectly forecast, in particular in hurricane activity took off in late August with the pas- the four Départements that were worst affected and sage close by Saint-Martin and Saint-Barthélemy of which had been placed on red vigilance. But it was hurricane Earl, accompanied with winds of 200 km/h not possible to anticipate the catastrophic impact and followed less than 48 hours later by the tropical of the sea ﬂ oods, in spite of the Météo-France’s storm Fiona. In late September, hurricane Igor, which Very Strong Wave warning reports issued for the had originated in the tropics, hit on Saint-Pierre and Prefectures in the morning of 27 February. Miquelon, resulting in record rains and winds. In late October - early November it was hurricane Tomas that This episode conﬁ rmed the relevance of the actions produced strong winds and intense rains south of the undertaken since 2009 with the Navy Hydrographic Lesser Antilles. and Oceanographic Service (SHOM) to implement a “waves – storm surge” vigilance system intended for However, this year will certainly be primarily re- the authorities and the population. It has however membered for the dramatic consequences of storm led to an in-depth review of the requirements and Xynthia on 27-28 February, the very strong rains that methodology to be followed in this development, struck the Draguignan region on 15 June, and the without modifying the end 2011 deadline for the

19 1 THE METEOROLOGICAL SAFETY MISSION

exceptional in their immediate vicinity. For the districts exposed to rapid ﬂ ooding risks, this short term warning should be sufﬁ cient to enable them taking the necessary actions based on their degree of vulnerability and, if necessary, activating the appropriate provisions of their Communal Safety Plan (PCS).

© Préfecture Haute-Vienne © Préfecture The work to implement the “waves – storm surge” Web conference presentation of the weather situation within vigilance and the “exceptional precipitations” a Prefecture crisis unit in the Haute-Vienne Département. infra-Départemental warning services is undertaken within the scope of the government’s “Sea and Flash Flooding Prevention Plan”: A plan which also pro- implementation of a fi rst version. New work has vides for research work on convective precipitation then been undertaken with SHOM, the General probability forecasting and on the expansion of the Directorate for Risk Prevention (DGPR) and the Civil weather radar network coverage. In this regard, the Safety Directorate (DSC) in order to identify the installation, in October 2010, of a new X band radar coastline sensitive features in each Département at Mont Maurel (see the “Observation” chapter) is an where substantial fl oods have been recorded and early example of the confi gurations to be generalised to describe the related reference risks. The stakes in the mountain areas exposed to fl ooding risks. involved in these studies are optimally to defi ne the criteria used for moving to orange or to red vigilan- In 2010, Météo-France has expanded its experi- ces. Finally, the design of the map has been entirely ment with Web conferencing systems to all defence revised in order to indicate fl ooding risk with an zones. Upon request, the institute’s experts can additional colour band offshore of the concerned thus remotely participate in Prefecture or zonal Départements. Thus, in the occurrence of a storm, crisis units and present the meteorological situa- the risk of coastal fl ooding will be immediately seen tion with images and comments. Evaluation of and distinguished from the “strong gale” vigilance. the eight experiments carried out to date will, in close collaboration with the Ministry of the Interior, On another hand, the Draguignan storm episode enable to defi ne the terms of operational use of has highlighted the current limits in the forecast of these systems in view of their generalisation. precipitations issued from highly localised convective phenomena (cf. the “Forecasting” chapter). We should fi nally point out the signature with the Based on this observation, Météo-France suggested Health Watch Institute (INVS), on 24 December the implementation, from the end 2011 onwards, 2010, of a new agreement that reinforces coo- of an infra-Départemental warning service based peration on the “heat wave” vigilance while on radar observations and supplementary to the opening up new possibilities as concerns meteo- weather vigilance which is currently organized at rological support to health risk evaluations. the Départemental scale. On condition of benefi ting from good radar coverage, the districts wishing to be informed will be directly advised, by email, SMS or voice call, whenever precipitation should become

20 METEO FRANCE | 2010 ANNUAL REPORT

Managing ﬂ ood risk and water resources

Météo-France is contributing to fl ood risk and water resource management in application of a Framework Agreement signed in 2009 with the General Directorate for Risk Prevention (DGPR) and the General Directorate for Land Use, Housing and The « fl ood vigilance » map of 31 October 2010 Nature (DGALN). The institute acts in support of other places the Nartuby under orange warning. operators, in particular the Central Hydrometeorology and Flood Prevention Support Service (SCHAPI) By delegation of DGPR, Météo-France’s South- which is established at the Météopole in Toulouse. Eastern Interregional Division is responsible for the East-Mediterranean SPC with the support of the In 2010, Météo-France participated in the work Regional Directorate for Environment, Land Use and undertaken by the Ministry of Sustainable Housing (DREAL) of the PACA region. The work pre- Development for the implementation of European viously undertaken with SCHAPI has allowed expan- Directive 2007/60/EC regarding fl ood risk evalua- ding the scope of this SPC to parts of the Argens and tion and management. The objective is to reduce Gapeau river areas. As the fl oods of June 2010 had their impact on public health, environment, country’s unfortunately damaged the existing equipment, an heritage, and economic activity. In the current stage instrument refurbishment and a reinstallation plan of preliminary evaluation of fl ooding risks on the taking into account the Nartuby basin, had to be pre- national territory (EPRI project), Météo-France has pare in collaboration with SCHAPI and DREAL. While prepared an inventory and mapping of the exceptio- awaiting its implementation planned for 2011-2012, nal precipitations recorded since 1958. A website has temporary measures have been taken. They enable, then been developed to place that information at the in particular, provision of a « fl ood vigilance » service disposal of the public from early 2011 onwards. for these waterways based on “AIGA hydro”: A tool, developed with the National Centre for Agricultural To co-produce the « rain - fl ood » vigilance, the insti- Mechanical Engineering, Rural Engineering, Water tute provides its operational support to SCHAPI and and Forestry (CEMAGREF), to realise a “rain – fl ow to the network of 22 Flood Forecast Services (SPC), rate” conversion that can be used on fast fl owing cat- in the observation and forecast of precipitations and chment areas which are not fi tted with instruments. of the soil hydrous status. New specifi c productions, Inaugurated in September 2010, this service will be meeting the hydrological needs, have been imple- evaluated with SCHAPI. It has already enabled the mented in 2010, in particular a three-hour time step Nartuby to be placed on orange fl ood vigilance befo- forecasting of precipitation amounts at the scale of re the rain episode of 31 October and 1 November water catchment areas. 2010.

In order to anticipate slow rising water several days On Reunion Island, the work to implement a in advance, a probabilistic forecasting system of ﬂ ow Hydrological Monitoring Unit was pursued. The moni- rates and high water episodes has been developed toring of tropical storms approaching the island will for the main waterways of mainland France. It has soon be reinforced with the installation of a second been placed at the disposal of SCHAPI for research radar allowing to cover vulnerable areas that are not purposes. observable by the existing one.

21 1 THE METEOROLOGICAL SAFETY MISSION

Meteorology to support Defence missions

In September 2010, Météo-France and the French Air were successfully tested at sea under different ope- Force signed a new agreement to defi ne and organize rating conditions. The results open up perspectives the supervision of the armed force meteorologists by for other application contexts, in particular within Météo-France’s reference experts. In the Framework the scope of external operation theatres. Agreement between Météo-France and the Armed Forces Staff, this text also governs the joint deve- In the same vein, Météo-France, together with indus- lopments carried out within the Armed Forces trial partners, responded to the call for tenders of the Meteorological Development Unit, now operating for North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) regarding the “Inter-Armed Forces”. the supply, in 2011, of weather information broadcasting systems. In 2010 the network was extended to the navy airba- ses (BAN), with the assignment of reference experts As regards R&D matters, Météo-France and the in Toulon-Hyères and in Lann-Bihoué. National Geographic Institute (IGN) made a joint response to a call for tenders to assist system engi- The tools developed for the Armed Forces were also neering studies pertaining to the Géode4D equip- improved. The Defence’s needs in the area of fi ne ment programme. Their proposal was selected by the scale numerical weather forecasting were defi ned. General Directorate for Armament (DGA) and contrac- Appropriate interfaces were then developed to ena- tually formalised in December 2010. The programme ble the Inter-Armed Forces Meteo-Oceanographic is intended to outfi t the armed forces with operatio- Support Centre (CISMF) to take advantage of these nal tools representing the Geographic, Hydrographic, new systems as soon as possible. Mobile worksta- Oceanographic and Meteorological (GHOM) environ- tions confi gured to meet the French Navy’s needs ments, by 2015.

Mobile workstations on board the aircraft carrier Charles-de-Gaulle. These workstations have been developed on the basis of the SYNERGIE software. © French national Navy national © French

22 METEO FRANCE | 2010 ANNUAL REPORT 2

METEOROLOGICAL SERVICES FOR AIR NAVIGATION © Météo-France, P. Taburet P. © Météo-France,

2010 was a busy year for all the activities planned in the Contract for Objectives and Performance, and it ended with the renewal of Mé- téo-France’s Single European Sky (SES) certiﬁ cation. The organization towards an operational application of the SES regulations has been consolidated. Important stages of developments have been completed towards a rationalisation of the “en route” service and of the airﬁ eld and airport services. The eruption of Eyjafjöll and several R&D works have also strongly mobilised the institute’s resources. 2 METEOROLOGICAL SERVICES FOR AIR NAVIGATION

Météo-France, a service provided for the French airspace

Two agreements in application of the framework At operational level, the eruption of the convention were signed in July with the General Eyjafjöll volcano in Iceland was a signifi cant Directorate of Civil Aviation (DGAC). Their aim is event in the year, exposing civil aviation to to better take into account the application of the a crisis that was unprecedented in terms of Single European Sky (SES) regulations regarding both its duration and its economic impact. meteorological services that are provided to aerial navigation in the French airspace. The fi rst agree- In accordance with International Civil Aviation ment, a technical protocol with the Air Transport Organization (ICAO) rules, the Volcanic Ash Advisory Department (DTA), sets out the services to be Centres (VAAC) in London and Toulouse were placed provided by Météo-France, particularly at airports on active duty 24 hours a day to offer meteorological and airfi elds. The second one sets out the scope support to help managing the crisis, London being and specifi cations of support services provided to the main VAAC in the Iceland zone and Toulouse the the Air Navigation Service Department (DSNA). backup one. For this purpose, throughout the crisis, Météo-France produced ash dispersal and transport The application of Regulation 1315/2007 on sa- forecasts based on its MOCAGE-Accident model. fety oversight in air traffi c management has led to the establishment, with the Civil Aviation Safety Météo-France was also required to provide round- Department (DSAC), of procedures to evaluate the-clock support to national crisis management the impact on air safety of meteorological ser- authorities. In particular, it participated in the vice evolutions. Finally, the year’s achievement national crisis management units and in the mo- came on 1st December, when Météo-France’s SES bilisation of ATR-42 and Falcon research airpla- certifi cate was renewed for a six-year period. nes – operated jointly with the National Centre for Space Studies (CNES) and the National Centre for Scientifi c Research (CNRS) – to make atmosphe- Volcanic ash mass concentration forecasts. ric observations at the government’s request. Forecasts of this type were produced by the VAACs in London (on the left) and Toulouse (on the right) from 21 April, when the critical concentration thresholds were announced.

24 METEO FRANCE | 2010 ANNUAL REPORT © P. Allard © P. Eruption of Eyjafjöll in 2010.

Vertical section of volcanic ash concentration as observed by a LIDAR system onboard a Falcon airplane on 17 May 2010 (source: CEA). The in situ measurements of the ash physical and chemical properties, simultaneously conducted from the ATR-42, enabled the LIDAR observations to be translated into mass concentrations.

Thanks to the combined efforts of the French Atomic critical thresholds, their observations on 20 and 21 Energy Commission (CEA), the CNRS, the National April and 17 May, following fl ight plans established Institute for Industrial Environment and Risks with DGAC, allowed to validate the national strategy (INERIS), university laboratories and the company of authorising commercial fl ights in air corridors. Léosphère, it was possible to rapidly equip these planes with: a LIDAR and particle counters to detect ash, and a sampling pipe for analysing the ash’s physical and chemical compositions. By confi rming that concentration levels were much lower than the

25 2 26 Interview METEOROLOGICAL SERVICES FORAIRNAVIGATION FORECASTING HEAD OF AERONAUTICAL Patrick Josse

© Météo-France P. Pichard the beginning of each meeting. with ameteorological briefing at units implemented by DGAC, buted ourexpertiseto thecrisis Institute (IPGP). We also contri- gists of theParis World Physics interacting with the volcanolo- has mobilized adedicated team and of theavailable observations and dispersion forecasting model rational use of ourash transport time. All along thecrisis, the ope- taking over from London at any the eruptionandto beready for bilities from thebeginning of activate ouroperational capa- As theback-up VAAC, we had to @ to rerun themodel simulations challenge. For example, we had vity requirements were aconstant volcano’s emissions. The reacti- manage theentire history of the the MOCAGE-Accident model to It was also necessary to adapt ting edge modelling expertise. have access to seamless cut- tists andengineers inorder to our operations team with scien- real difficulty. We had to reinforce The duration of thecrisis was a @ of the crisis? in the management What was your role have to face? difficulties did you What particular dination with theLondon VAAC. we also had to find timefor coor- solute concentration values. And adapt themodel for providing ab- lity limit,it became necessary to was adopted as the vulnerabi- @ dge of thesoftware structure. not request adetailed knowle- MOCAGE-Accident, which should to enable amore flexible use of fine theman-machine interfaces operational level, we will rede- both points.Moreover, onthe Progress needs to bemade on on atmospheric concentrations. and theabsence of observations ties injected intheatmosphere, uncertainties ontheash quanti- Then, particularly striking were the from ascientific point of view. properly formulate theproblem risks. This is essential inorder to between economic andsafety engines inorder to distinguish critical concentration limits for traffic andtheneedto specify the vulnerability of theEuropean air The first lesson was certainly the onwards, whena value of 2mg/m source emissions. From 21 April revisions intheestimation of the many times dueto frequent were learnt? What lessons 3

METEO FRANCE | 2010 ANNUAL REPORT

Airﬁ eld and airport services

In 2010, our development strategy for airfi eld and airport services resulted into new products and experiments on the major airport platforms. In parallel, progress in the Aéro2012 project created the technical and operational conditions necessary for the future Airfi eld and Airport Assignment Centres (CRA) to remotely provide the regulatory services for medium Météo-France’s staff involved in a CDM@CDG collaborative importance airports and airfi elds, starting in 2012. decision unit at Roissy – Charles de Gaulle airport.

For the major platforms, outstanding facts were the creation on 16 October of a support function for the Rationalisation of the CDM@Orly process and a strong solicitation of the “en route” service in Orly and Roissy centres for winter condition management with a contribution in 146 CDM@CDG deci- the FABEC perspective sion-making unit meetings. In parallel, Météo-France began the standardisation of a CDM@xxx information system that will become available for other platforms To rationalise the « en-route » weather service, from late 2011 onwards, depending on the needs. Météo-France has decided to centralise in Toulouse all the Weather Monitoring Centre’s services provi- As regards experimentation, the main event was the ded to the Regional Air Navigation Centres (CRNAs) evaluation, at Roissy, of an acoustic SODAR (Sonic in mainland France. A specifi c production tool Detection And Ranging) capability to measure the has been developed and the internal organization height of fog layer tops. Encouraging results led to deployed with the creation of a permanent, round continue operating this instrument in 2011 in order the clock position. Procedures, implementing the to evaluate the impact of its data on fog dissipation best current practices, have been proposed to forecasts (see the 2010 Météo-France Sustainable organize the interactions with the fi ve CRNAs. Development Report). By the end of 2011, centralisation will enable a The Aéro2012 project, submitted to DGAC on 18 June, perfectly homogeneous national production of developed remote production and supervision tools SIGMET (SIGnifi cant METeorological Information) for the TAF (Terminal Aerodrome Forecast) forecasts warning messages at a reduced direct cost. By 2012, and for the concentration of automatic observations it will facilitate the operational interactions with the carried out at the airports or airfi elds assigned to a other weather service providers of FABEC (Functional CRA. Airspace Block Europe Central), with whom a collaborative “without borders” SIGMET production is planned within the scope of an ad hoc project, entrusted to Météo-France by the MetAlliance Group. Beyond this project, the institute has entered into discussions with its partners to offer an “en route” FABEC service based on shared productions (radar composite pictures, wind forecasts, SIGMET, etc.).

27 2 METEOROLOGICAL SERVICES FOR AIR NAVIGATION © Météo-France, P. Taburet P. © Météo-France,

Météo-France is a player in the organization of the European airspace.

Research and development with SESAR

Within the SESAR (Single European Sky Air Traffi c will provide the Single European Sky (SES) stake- Management Research) context, Météo-France has holders with shared and customised weather made progress in the defi nition of its aeronautical information (content, format, quality, frequency R&D roadmap. A fi rst version offers, based on a and spatial resolution, operational availability). needs analysis, a multiannual programme broken down into six topics – visibility, surface conditions, wake vortices, environment, risks, trajectories – and taking into account the cooperations already entered into with DSNA and the Thales company.

Météo-France has also participated in a consortium response coordinated by EIG-EUMETNET to the SESAR “Meteorological Services” call for tenders. Over the period 2011-2015, it is proposed to specify, develop and validate new meteorological services integrated in the SESAR airport trafﬁ c management concepts, both in the terminal areas and “en-route”. Météo-France must, in particular, develop the “4D WeatherCube”, which

28 METEO FRANCE | 2010 ANNUAL REPORT 3

COMMERCIAL ACTIVITY © Météo-France, P. Taburet Taburet P. © Météo-France, Taburet P. © Météo-France,

Météo-France’s commercial activity is intended to meet the expectations in terms of weather services for professionals and the public at large, on a competitive market. The professional market is concerned with all the economic sectors, such as energy, construction and civil engineering, transport, agriculture, or the media. To meet demand, Météo-France provides tailor made climatology, forecasting and warning products, combined with assistance and research services. The general public market is essentially involved in offers for online services, via ﬁ xed and mobile telephony or via the Internet. 3 COMMERCIAL ACTIVITY

The year 2010 was characterised by a progression in each of the commercial activity sectors: both the revenues from the Audiotel services [information via telephone calls] and from the professional business have increased by 3%, while advertising revenues raised by 11%, an increase that is at the same level as the entire Internet advertising market.

At the end of 2010, commercial revenues amounted to M€41.5 before VAT, i.e. an overall increase of 4% as compared to 2009, over the same scope of business, which breaks down into 54% for the services offered to professionals, 36% for the Audiotel and Minitel [telephony text services], and 11% for advertising revenues.

One million downloads for Météo-France’s free application, accessible on the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad.

Downloadable from the AppStore, the Météo-France application enables access to forecasts for the next nine days on a national scale (types of weather, temperatures, wind force and direction), for 36,000 districts and more than 300 beaches.

It also offers complete snow information: The rain/snow limit, the 0 °C isother- mal level and the nine day forecasts for more than 200 ski resorts as well as snow and avalanche reports (available for the Alps, the Pyrenees and Corsica).

Forecasts for overseas and the rest of the World available soon

Soon, three-day forecasts for some thirty cities overseas, 845 cities in Europe and more than 1,600 cities and towns elsewhere in the world will also be accessible from the Favourites folder.

30 METEO FRANCE | 2010 ANNUAL REPORT

Meteorological services adapted to individual needs and accessible at all times

In 2010, Météo-France continued concentrating on Since October 2010, Météo-France has become efforts to enhance its offering to the general public, entrenched on the “small screen” in French homes. confi rming its orientation towards the new communi- Indeed, the institute developed an interactive service cation technologies, such as the Internet, the mobile accessible to ADSL TV services subscribers. This fi rst Web or ADSL TV. Météo-France TV Site, unique in France, is offered to all “triple play” subscribers of the Neuf-SFR access Six months after its launch in June 2010, the free provider. iPhone application has exceeded one million downloads. It remained classifi ed among the Top 5 free In parallel, the telephone weather information ser- applications on the French AppStore for the entire vices (Audiotel) have improved in quality and have month in which it was launched. A similar applica- been enhanced with a “World” section, which today tion, compatible with Nokia terminals, will supple- covers 170 countries and 350 cities. ment the offer in early 2011.

An interactive service broadcast via the ADSL channel

Météo-France has entered a new stage in the diversiﬁ cation of its information broadcasting means by offering “à la carte” TV access to its forecasts. This interactive service, developed by the WizTiVi teams, is currently accessible via the SFR’s Neufbox ADSL modem.

31 3 COMMERCIAL ACTIVITY

Customised services for businesses and professionals

In the professional market, Météo-France has pursued Agriculture its efforts to improve its reception system and to enhance its offering. Thus, a single Indigo [paying pho- The agriculture offer is intended for large organiza- ne] number has been made available to professional tions (regional agricultural ﬁ nancial institutions, coo- customers. During working hours, Internet users can peratives, institutions). Segmented into three service now obtain advice on the products and services that levels, it incorporated novelties such as the phyto- can be ordered online. In the Interregional Divisions, sanitary treatment assistance report. It has been the implementation of a local telephone service very favourably received in the agricultural sector. has also been initiated for portfolio customers.

The list of services that may be purchased on- Industry line has increased by a dozen climate products to meet the needs of the greatest number of To optimise the range of its warning services, Météo- customers. Several products had their functio- France has developed an offer combining an alarm nalities improved, such as the Vigimet-Flash, via SMS and e-mail, the display over an extranet of which now includes the rain-snow limit. phenomena to be monitored, and advices from a forecaster on the telephone. This system is currently To supplement its commercial offering and to meet being tested by several companies in the insu- all its customers’ needs, Météo-France has ente- rance, road freight and energy generation sectors. red into several partnerships, in particular with:

• Vizada, which offers Satellite solutions ena- Assistance with sport competitions bling to use the Navimail software at sea; On Saturday 21 March 2010, Groupama 3 and its • Art Vision, which markets municipal information dis- skipper Franck Cammas beat the Jules Verne tro- plays incorporating Météo-France’s weather forecasts; phy record of more than 2 days. A victory to which Météo-France was associated with an eleventh crew • Médiamobiles, a subsidiary of TDF man, stayed on the ground: the weather router. (TéléDiffusion de France), which offers road trafﬁ c information services taking into ac- In 2009, for the ﬁ rst Edition of the Dakar rally-raid count both observed and forecast weather. in Latin America, Amaury Sport Organization had bitterly suffered from climate vagaries. In 2010, Météo-France Sports accompanied their team and Roads closely watched the weather to enable them better anticipating bad conditions in North Argentina The OPTIMA system enables weather conditions to and visibility problems on the Chilean coasts. be followed in real time and dangerous phenomena to be anticipated on the entire French road network. This service also offers, for 5 km road sections, access to observation over the past three hours, to forecasts for the hour to come, and to 24 hour trends.

32 METEO FRANCE | 2010 ANNUAL REPORT © Citroën Racing © Citroën

Sébastien Loeb’s car during the 2010 Alsace rally. In 2010, Loeb won his seventh world rally championship title, with the assistance of Météo-France.

33 3 COMMERCIAL ACTIVITY

Météo-France’s subsidiaries

Météo-France has several subsidiaries supplemen- Surveillance) lightning information management ting the public institute’s activity in fi elds that are not and processing system in Swaziland, in collabora- within its normal purview. tion with MFI. The application, incorporated in the Meteofactory weather production tool, makes it pos- For Meteo France International (MFI), 2010 was sible to rapidly reach and warn the users. Météorage characterised by the realisation of two very impor- has also accomplished the implementation of its tant equipment projects: VARSAMANA, a project for detection network in the United Kingdom with the modernisation of the Indian weather service, offi - installation of sensors on the Shetland Islands and cially inaugurated in September by its Minister, and on Islay. NEMOS, a project delivered in August to the Egyptian weather authority. For Metnext, the year was characterised by a slight increase in turnover, relying on the acquisition of new With its display and processing system for Meteosat important references. In particular, this subsidiary satellite data, AMESD/PUMA, which was installed has concluded an agreement with the Powernext in 47 African countries, MFI is now expanding its energy exchange company for the development and presence to 96 countries. A sustained R&D effort has marketing of a platform devoted to the energy market enabled to offer particularly competitive products, operators in Europe. such as the OpenWis global information system, developed in partnership (see Chapter 9). For the second year in a row, Predict Services saw an increase of more than 40% in its turnover. Its area of In 2010, Météorage exceeded €2 million in turnover. activity has expanded to France as a whole. In 2010, This subsidiary has also carried out its fi rst export Predict Services inaugurated a new online service, project with its CATS (Computer Aided Thunderstorm “Wiki-Predict”, enabling to meet the needs of the general public. This activity has also recorded a fi rst export application with a contract, fi nanced by the Mapping of liable to fl ooding areas, realised in preparation to Islamic Development Bank (IDB), to supply the princi- the Haitian district safety Plan. pal Haitian cities with District Safety Plans.

For its second fi nancial year since its creation in November 2008, Météo-France Régie has increased its advertising revenues (by approximately 9% as compared to 2009). This wholly owned subsidiary is in charge of marketing the advertising space on the electronic or hard copy media published by Météo- France. It thus closed its fi nancial year on a net profi t result, in line with its objectives.

34 METEO FRANCE | 2010 ANNUAL REPORT 4

TRAINING STAFF AND TEACHING METEOROLOGY, INFORMING, AND DISSEMINATING DATA © Météo-France, P. Pichard P. © Météo-France,

Education and training in meteorology are parts of the main Météo-France’s missions. The National School of Meteorology (ENM) provides training for the institute’s staff, but also for students and trainees seeking to benefi t from the scientifi c and technical unique environment of the Toulouse Météopole. Nonetheless, the contribution from Météo-France to the dissemination of meteorological science is not limited to higher education. Several initiatives are offered to the students, in cooperation with the National Education Ministry. Furthermore, signifi cant actions were conducted in 2010 to improve the availability and dissemination of weather data. TRAINING STAFF AND TEACHING METEOROLOGY, 4 INFORMING, AND DISSEMINATING DATA

Training staff and teaching meteorology

Since the end of 2009, the National School of Meteorology (ENM) has been part of the “Institut National Polytechnique of Toulouse” (INPT) which can thus offer a high level education not only in meteorology and climate sciences, but also in related sciences such as numerical modelling, hydraulics and scientiﬁ c information technology.

In 2010, an environmental crisis management support training plan was implemented for Météo-France staff. In a ﬁ rst stage, 14 people were trained at ENM and received a package containing, among other things, a presentation of the context in which assis- A two-volume work on tropical meteorology. tance is provided during environmental emergencies (regulations, conventions, institutional contact partners, industrial operators, etc.) and of the different procedures in force. Thirteen local sessions were then organized, and have already enabled training Several manuals were published this year in for 120 agents in the interregional divisions. the “Remarkable Phenomena” or “Courses and Manuals” series, distributed by Météo-France. A two-volume work was devoted to tropical meteorology. It is the result of a long project including many experts’ contributions and comprising a very rich set of literature references. It addresses a broad public: students and academics wishing to perfect their knowledge on dynamics and physics of the tropi- Course on “Measurements and sensors” at ENM cal atmosphere, as well as forecasters seeking a detailed typology of the phenomena encountered at those latitudes.

Among other outstanding actions, training events were carried out in support of the Indian Meteorological Service modernisation plan and several Météo-France experts participated in works carried out by WMO and intended to review training requirements. © Météo-France, P. Pichard P. © Météo-France,

36 METEO FRANCE | 2010 ANNUAL REPORT

Disseminating science and meteorological data

On 19 October 2010, Météo-France opened a “public data” portal (https://public.meteofrance.com/) to facilitate the access to a broad range of meteorological data produced within the scope of its public duty, with a view to their reuse for other purposes.

Inaugurated on 11 May 2010, the site http://education.meteofrance.com, hosted by Météo-France, is the result of cooperation with the © Météo-France, P. Taburet P. © Météo-France, National Education Ministry and the National Centre The 28 junior and senior high schools for Educational Documentation (CNDP). On this site, of the “Weather at School” project. teachers can consult educational resources (courses, data sheets, 3D animations, documentary information, etc.) regarding meteorological and climate Meteorology, from the early school years sciences, adapted to their needs. The animations, to pre-university graduation whose text can be modiﬁ ed by the teachers to illustrate their courses, are very successful – an example This year, the “Weather School” project, conduc- is the animation entitled “How does a storm come ted in partnership with the Paris School Academy, about?” This animation, which was presented at the focused on the notion of temperature: What is tem- IMNE (Image, Numeric media and Education) 2010 perature? What are its variations? How to listen to, colloquium, illustrates the formation and develop- look at, and understand a weather report? The pro- ment mechanisms of storm Klaus. Some 1,400 tea- ject was designed to be consistent with the year 5 chers registered on this web site which receives more and 6 curricula. Eighteen classes and approxima- than 8,000 visits per week. tely 500 students, together with their teachers, were launched into the implementation of a scientiﬁ c approach: Formulating a problem, carrying out experiments and learning from them. This path enabled Presentation of the site http://education.meteofrance.com them to understand the instruments utility, to reco- at the 2010 Educatec-Educatice convention. gnise the difference between feeling and measurement, to become actors of their own research, to fashion their communication skills by writing and presenting weather reports. Films based on their work were projected on 23 March 2010, at the Cité des Sciences in Paris, on the occasion of the World Meteorological Organization fortieth anniversary.

The « Weather at School », project of the Science at School association and of Météo-France, has enabled the installation of 28 automatic observing stations in junior and senior high schools. Teachers were trained in the ﬁ rst level maintenance of the © Météo-France, P. Taburet P. © Météo-France,

37 TRAINING STAFF AND TEACHING METEOROLOGY, 4 INFORMING, AND DISSEMINATING DATA

equipment. This action is aimed at initiating students in the observation and in the physics of the atmosphere, thus at awakening potential scientiﬁ c vocations.

Finally, to raise the awareness of young people to the weather vigilance maps and explain them the related behavioural advices, two animation ﬁ lms on the yellow and orange vigilances, accompanied by teacher’s notes, were prepared for the high school students.

© Météo-France, P. Taburet P. © Météo-France, Their style aims at an identiﬁ cation of the young people with the characters in the ﬁ lms. These spots Students from the “Les Gatines” junior high school in will be available for download on the websites of the Savigny-sur-Orge (Essonne) by their weather station as part of the “Weather at School” project. project partners: Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development, Transport and Housing (MEDDTL), Météo-France and the Civil Security Directorate (DSC).

Providing broad information on meteorology

The portal www.meteofrance.com remains ran- ked among the ﬁ rst 25 websites in France. To meet Internet users’ expectations, Météo-France has added some new developments such as forecasts for up to nine days, integration of UV radiation data and of felt temperatures, or a new presentation of the “rain within the hour” forecasts. Video weather reports and a daily information letter have supple- mented the site’s contents. The ﬁ nal result of 2010 is characterised by very strong growth in the audience of the Internet site, which recorded more than 500 million visitors and 1.5 billion pages viewed, i.e. an increase of 43% as compared to 2009.

A page of the Météo-France website: www.meteofrance.com.

38 METEO FRANCE | 2010 ANNUAL REPORT 5

FORECASTING © Météo-France, P. Pichard P. © Météo-France,

Consistently with its strategic plan, Météo-France pursued the development of its forecasting models and has taken advantage of the latest technical advances to develop its production systems. The primary goal was to improve the quality of its services with more reliable data and new products that better ﬁ t users’ needs, in particular in the area of people and property’s safety.

Changes in the organization have been initiated within the scope of the Prévi 2012 project. They are based on a distinction between basic “upstream” forecast and “advisory” forecasts which are adapted to customers’ speciﬁ c needs. 5 FORECASTING

Towards a reorganization of the forecasting services

A project for the reorganization of the forecas- the regional centres, who carry out local adaptations. ting services was initiated in 2009 to improve the The systems providing access to the information quality of the rendered services in consistency have been updated and upgraded to improve the with the Météo-France’s strategic developments rendered services. They more particularly concern the and with the technical progress accomplished assistance given to the authorities in the presence of over the last few years. The new organization will adverse weather situations and the fi nalised inter- be implemented gradually in 2011 and 2012 fol- Département scale production which will be part of lowing pre-operational experimental periods. the future Meteorological Territorial Centres’ duties. A personnel training plan has been implemented, In 2010, this project allowed, in particular, to de- and a system to capitalise the existing knowledge fi ne the future interactions among the forecasting has been prepared to facilitate future assignments. centres, the operational planning of activities, and the practical organization of the divisions. New The fi rst experiments have been carried out at software generations have been developed to faci- the end of 2010. They precede the life-size and litate the collaborative assessment work carried out real time test phases that will be implemen- in real time among the forecasters of the National ted early 2011 in order to proceed to the fi nal Forecasting Centre, who defi ne the major aspects of adaptations before the operational start. the evolution of a weather situation, and those of

Météo-France’s National Forecasting Centre in Toulouse. © Météo-France, P. Pichard P. © Météo-France,

40 METEO FRANCE | 2010 ANNUAL REPORT 10°N 20°N 30°N 40°N 50°N 60°N 70°N 80°N 80°S 70°S 60°S 50°S 40°S 30°S 20°S 10°S 0° H 170°W 7° 160°W 170°W 6° 150°W 160°W

55 5° 140°W 150°W 4° 130°W 140°W Resolution locale (en km) en T 798 C 2.4

3° 120°W 130°W

50 30

25 110°W 120°W 20 1° 100°W 110°W 0° 90°W 100°W 0W80°W 90°W 0W70°W 80°W 0W60°W 70°W

The operational numerical forecasting 50°W 60°W 0W40°W 50°W 0W30°W 40°W

15 0W20°W 30°W 0W10°W 20°W 0W0° 10°W °10°E 0° L 0E20°E 10°E

40 35 45 30 25 30°E 20°E 5 20

0 Météo-France’s numerical weather forecasting is 40°E 30°E 0E50°E 40°E 0E60°E 50°E 15 based on a family of three operational models – 70°E 60°E 0E80°E 70°E

ARPEGE, at the global scale, with a ﬁ ne mesh on 90°E 80°E 0E100°E 90°E

Europe, for forecasting a few days ahead; its « limited 110°E 100°E 1° 120°E 110°E area » version, ALADIN; and AROME, with very ﬁ ne 130°E 120°E 3° 140°E 130°E 4° 150°E 140°E

mesh for forecasting small scale phenomena up to 160°E 150°E

55 35 30 2 20 50 45 40 170°E 160°E 5 the next day in mainland France – and on the AEARP/ 170°E

PEARP ensemble assimilation and prediction system 80°S 70°S 60°S 50°S 40°S 30°S 20°S 10°S 0° 10°N 20°N 30°N 40°N 50°N 60°N 70°N 80°N Resolution of the ARPEGE model, traced every 2.5 km and exten- based on ARPEGE simulations. These tools unde- ding from 10 km over France to 60 km towards New Zealand. rwent in-depth modifi cations in the course of 2010. The violet square represents the new area of the AROME model simulations. It is enlarged on the upper panel of the fi gure, The stretched horizontal resolution of the global where mountains have been displayed with a 2.5 km resolution. ARPEGE model was increased to attain 10 km over mainland France. Its vertical resolution has been improved to 70 levels, and the number of data obtained from assimilated satellites has been tripled. These increases in resolution accompanied by substantial scientifi c upgrading have resulted into a forecast quality improvement at all ranges. They allowed maintaining ARPEGE among the best global weather models.

The fi ne mesh AROME model now has 60 levels on the vertical dimension and a horizontal resolution of 2.5 km over Western Europe. Its simulation area has been increased by 75% as compared to the previous version. Thus, it offers a better coverage of the near-Atlantic from which originates a majority of the perturbations affecting France. It now assimilates Forecast of 24-hour precipitation amounts, as supplied by the rain data from the weather radar network, a develop- AROME model over the South-East of mainland France for the period from 6/9/2010 at 18:00 UTC to 7/9/2010 at 18:00 UTC ment which markedly improved rainstorm forecasts. (red vigilance episode over the Gard and Ardèche Départements on 7/9/2010). However, the catastrophic fl oods observed in the Var Département in June 2010 have demonstrated anticipated suffi ciently in advance. The attempts the current limits of convective system forecas- at reconstructing and understanding made a pos- ting. From the previous day onwards, the excepted teriori confi rmed that, in the current state of the precipitations had been located quite correctly and art, they could not be foreseen, including with the the Département had been placed under orange help of very high resolution models. This episode vigilance. However, no forecasting system had will remain an important case study to evaluate the allowed for the locally very exceptional precipi- progress to be accomplished in research in order to tations that affected the Draguignan sector to be better understand and forecast such phenomena.

41 5 FORECASTING

Road surface temperature forecasts in Savoy. The 30-hour Ts mesure Ts Arome Isba Route Ts Safran Isba Route forecasts of the new operational chain (in red) and those of the old operational chain (in blue) are compared to the measurements obtained via an AREA station (in black) for the period from 25 October to 4 Novem- Ts (C) ber 2010. Forecasts are clearly improved by the new operating procedures. −5 0 5 10 15 20 25 30

10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

t (jours)

A new operational chain has contributed to the improvement of the road surface temperature forecasts. This system beneﬁ ts from the high resolution AROME system and allows a signiﬁ cant improvement as it is demonstrated by comparisons with surface temperature measurements performed by the road network stations in the course of winter 2009-2010. Thanks to a good representation of orography, the achieved progress is particularly noticeable in mountain areas.

For overseas, adapted versions of the ALADIN model have been prepared to improve tropical phenomena forecasting, as had already been done on Reunion Island in connection with tropical storm forecasting in the Indian Ocean area. Coupled to the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) global forecasts, these versions will have an assimilation system capable of taking into account all conventional observations and satellite data available in those areas. They are expected to become operational in 2011 after a forecaster training phase.

The ensemble forecast system developed by Météo- France to evaluate the degree of uncertainty of the closest range forecasts (from the current date up to D+3) has been improved. Thirty-ﬁ ve simulations are now carried out twice a day (at 06:00 and 18:00 UTC) based on the ARPEGE model by Geographical areas covered by the new versions of the ALADIN applying perturbations in the initial state and using model adapted for New Caledonia and French Polynesia (a), eight different physical parameterisation patterns and for the Antilles-Guiana (b). The resolution of these model on a random basis. As attested by the success versions is 8 km.

42 METEO FRANCE | 2010 ANNUAL REPORT

Forecast of storm Xynthia possible trajectories. These trajectories were supplied by the PEARP ensemble forecasting system on 26/2/2010 at 18:00 UTC, i.e. 36 to 48 hours before the event. A majority of members indicate a south-west – north-east trajectory, very well correlated with the real trajectory. At the same time, the forecasts indicated a high probability of more than 130 km/h winds over the country’s central western part.

scores, the probabilistic forecasts obtained with instead of 10 at present) to prepare the implementation, this system have been signiﬁ cantly improved. in 2011, of the “waves – storm surge” vigilance system.

In 2010, many activities have been conducted in In relation with Météo-France’s national and inter- the area of seasonal forecasting: monthly pro- national responsibilities in the calculation of atmos- duction of “climategrams”, implementation of a pheric pollutant dispersion, the year 2010 saw the dedicated website, development of new services arrival into operation of new generation products: speciﬁ cally adapted to New Caledonia, etc. The - Plume forecasting in the event of a nuclear ac- website will, in particular, enable the initiation cident occurring anywhere in the world; of scientiﬁ c exchanges with our European par- - Reverse modelling to determine the origin tners, in connection with the seasonal forecas- of abnormal levels of radioactivity detected ting forum for south-eastern Europe, within the by the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban scope of the European Regional Climate Centre. Treaty Organization (CTBTO); - Monitoring and forecasting of ash trans- Wave modelling has been improved. A new ver- port in connection with volcanic eruptions sion of the global model has been implemented. representing a danger for aviation. On the other hand, a limited area version, coupled with the ARPEGE (global) and ALADIN (limited Operational since early 2010 and more sophisticated area) atmospheric models, now enables proper than the previous one, the new MOCAGE-Accident coverage of a region centred on Reunion Island. model takes into account, in a more detailed man- ner, the phenomena that play a role in the evolu- The storm surge forecasting system has been sup- tions of pollutant concentrations and characteris- plemented with a second set of daily production, tics: leaching due to rain, sedimentation, etc. resulting in a better monitoring of potentially dangerous situations. A new version of the forecasting model was developed with a higher resolution (5 km

43 5 FORECASTING

Nowcasting

Nowcasting refers to the shorter time range fo- Finally, a study has also been implemented to recasting, from present time to a few minutes test a new version of the AROME model, opti- or a few hours ahead. While to date it had es- mised for nowcasting. The objective is to update sentially been based on a simple extrapolation a very high – 500 m – resolution AROME fore- of observation data, it now also incorporates cast on an hourly basis using the most recent an increased use of simulation models. observations, in particular radial velocities and refl ectivities from the Doppler radar network. This In 2010, Météo-France undertook the development innovation is expected to particularly benefi t air of a real-time system to qualify the return period of traffi c control in the major airport approaches. exceptional rainfall and to enable forecasters improving the localisation of areas with high potential risk. Precipitation hazard maps will then be created every 15 minutes, for different rain accumulation depths, based on data supplied by the weather radar and rain gauge networks with a resolution of one square kilometre, over mainland France.

Picture summarising the maximum hazard in relation with different rain accumulation depths. The lateral bands on the left and bottom show the maxi- ma found for each accumulation depth on, respectively, the east-west and north-south lines. In pink: the areas of observed accumulations corresponding to a feedback period of more than 50 years.

44 METEO FRANCE | 2010 ANNUAL REPORT 6

UNDERSTANDING THE PAST AND FUTURE CLIMATE © Météo-France

With climate change, Météo-France’s “climate memory” mission is evolving towards a better capability to climatologically characterise outstanding climate events at a French regional scale. The development of the climate database, a constant objective for Météo-France, has recorded remarkable progress in 2010. This action paves the way to a reconstitution of new temperature and precipitation series.

Future possible climates are explored by means of a coupled numerical climate model, which simulates all interactions among the atmosphere, the ocean, the biosphere and the cryosphere. The participation of Météo-France in the work of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is based on this high performance tool, which is also used to explore different aspects of the close range impacts of climate change and to contribute to the deﬁ nition of adaptation policies. 6 UNDERSTANDING THE PAST AND FUTURE CLIMATE

Climate memory

Knowledge and analysis of past climate patterns are A complete inventory based on submission, receipt essential to understand their evolution and impacts and withdrawal slips has been carried out, and at territorial scale. Continuing its collection and conﬁ rms the exceptional interest of this climate data digitalisation works towards the achievement of this set. The prospect in sight is to gain access to 6,300 goal, in 2010 Météo-France enhanced the national boxes containing observation books, semaphore and climate database (BDClim) with almost three million signal station records, and weather maps going back data recorded before 1961. as far as the early days of operational meteorology.

Research jointly conducted with the Deutscher When retrieved, the historic observations are then Wetterdienst (DWD) has allowed ﬁ nding in their archi- corrected to extract the climate signal by means of an ves documents with historic climate observations on in-depth geostatistical analysis enabling to identify the French territory. and eliminate measurement perturbations such as urban development or sensor modiﬁ cations. Thus, in In collaboration with the French National Archives, 2010 Météo-France produced approximately 200 new Météo-France has undertaken to recover the heritage homogenised temperature and precipitation series climate data preserved at the Fontainebleau site, in a covering a period of more than 50 years. This action building which is barred from access due to asbestos will be continued in 2011 in order to provide a dense contamination. The National Archives have analysed coverage of the entire French territory (mainland and the asbestos content and planned a removal opera- overseas). tion that is expected to be long and costly.

Piece of a book on meteorology and climatology published by Father Cotte in 1788: statistics of meteorological situations observed at Beijing (China) from 1757 and 1762. © Météo-France Instrument shelter, of the “Indochina” type, in the 1950s.

46 METEO FRANCE | 2010 ANNUAL REPORT

Standardised soil wetness index integrated over three months (SSWI3). This index, integrated over the period May – July 2010, clearly highlights the occurrence of a moderate to severe drought in north-western France and in particular in Brittany and Normandy.

Another essential motivation is to feed the global or Modcou hydrometeorological suite”, a cooperative regional re-analyses that combine all available data publication which took place within the scope of the in order to develop detailed maps of the world’s Climsec project, supported by the MAIF Foundation. climates and of their evolution over time. Thus, this year, Météo-France has provided historical surface These studies open the way for a real time cha- pressure datasets to the US National Oceanic and racterisation of droughts on the French mainland Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for the twentieth territory using comparisons with similar events century re-analysis project and to the Canadian wea- observed in the past. Experimental mapping of dif- ther service for a study on storms evolution over the ferent standardised drought indicators, such as the nineteenth century. In the near future, new datasets precipitation index (SPI) or the soil wetness index will be supplied to the European Centre for Medium- (SSWI), has thus been developed on a national Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) for the ERA-Clim scale. This tool has been placed at the disposal of re-analysis project, ﬁ nanced by the European Union. the regional divisions of the Regional Directorate for Environment, Land Use and Housing (DREAL). It is particularly suitable for managing drought cases Towards real time drought characterisation within the CATNAT national insurance system. As an example, it allowed to perform a quick diagno- In 2010, the Norbert Gerbier prize of the World sis of the atypical nature of the 2010 drought. Meteorological Organization (WMO) was awarded to the co-authors of “Multilevel and multiscale drought reanalysis over France with the Safran-Isba-

47 6 UNDERSTANDING THE PAST AND FUTURE CLIMATE

A symbolic gesture for climate research

The bilateral meeting of the French and German weather services, in Toulouse, on 26 and 27 October 2010, was characterised by a symbolic gesture: Prof Gerhard Adrian, President of the German Weather Service (the Deutscher Wetterdienst: DWD), handed over to his French Pichard) P. © Météo-France, Meteorological observation books from the inter-war years. counter-part, François Jacq, a set of observa- These documents had left France in 1940 and were only tion books dating from the inter-war years. very recently found again by our German colleagues. These documents had left France in 1940 and were recently found again by our German colleagues. Wishing to bear witness to their importance for climate research, Prof. Adrian was keen on personally hand delivering a few of these historic records.

The ﬁ rst copies to be returned contain observations pertaining to the 1930s, made by the French National Meteorological Ofﬁ ce in Montigny-les-Metz and by the “Institut de Physique du Globe” in Colmar. They will be included in climate analyses without any delay. Upon Météo-France’s request and within the G. Lachaud © Météo-France, Prof. Gerhard Adrian, President of the German Weather Ser- scope of the national Data Rescue action, the vice (DWD), hands François Jacq, President of Météo-France, DWD found a number of archives that were a sample of the French climate records lost after World War II jointly analysed. At this point in the search, the and recently rediscovered in Germany. oldest media contain data starting in 1878 and originating from some forty different stations.

48 METEO FRANCE | 2010 ANNUAL REPORT

Climate scenarios for the future and research within the IPCC framework

Météo-France’s coupled global climate model scenarios. It also involves the compilation of a set of was designed on the basis of recent versions of ensemble simulations covering the period 1850-2005 the ARPEGE model (developed for numerical wea- and taking into account observed volcanic eruptions ther forecasting) and of the Institut Pierre-Simon- as well as the evolution of greenhouse gases, atmos- Laplace (IPSL)’s NEMO ocean model, also used pheric aerosols, and solar radiation. This allows, in by Mercator Océan for ocean conditions forecas- particular, evaluating the extent to which the results ting. Among others, the exchanges between the from the various constituents of the set are compa- earth surface and the atmosphere, and between tible with the actually observed climate change. sea ice and the rivers’ fl ow towards the ocean, are explicitly represented in this model. Several experiments have already been performed. They confi rm improvements in the model simula- This new model, with a horizontal resolution of about tion of the climate changes that were observed all 150 km, was developed in collaboration with the along the test period. In particular, the increase European Centre for Research and Advanced Training in the average ocean temperature simulated over in Scientifi c Calculation (CERFACS). It will enable to the nineteenth century is highly comparable to contribute in the fi fth IPCC report (whose publication the observations, and took place in two stages: is announced for 2013) with the implementation of before the 1940s and starting again in the 1970s. new climate simulations over a total of 8,000 years. Furthermore, the temporary cooling that took This participation requires performing simulations place during the major volcanic eruptions is ge- of the possible future climate according to different nerally well represented by the simulations.

Evolution of the mean global ocean temperature (°C). Comparison between observed temperatures (in black) and temperatures simulated with the old CNRM-CM3 model (in grey) or with the ﬁ rst three members of the ensemble generated by the CNRM-CM5 model when taking into account both natural and anthropic forcing (in orange). The periods covering the principal volcanic eruptions are shown in red.

49 6 UNDERSTANDING THE PAST AND FUTURE CLIMATE

Total ozone content of the atmospheric column over the South Pole in October. Values simulated by the MOCAGE model forced by ARPEGE-Climate over a representative year out of the 1850s (on the left) and over a representative year of the 2000s (on the right). These experiments were carried out within the scope of the international “Atmospheric Chemistry and Climate” intercomparison exercise. Météo-France has already engaged in a new international exercise that will constitute a foundation for the next IPCC report in the area of climate regionalisa- tion (CORDEX), with, for the ﬁ rst time, increased resolution simulations over the entire African continent.

In the area of seasonal forecasting, the impacts of the stratosphere on predictability are examined within the Climate Historical Forecasting Project (CHFP) of the World Climate Research Programme (WCRP).

Finally, another outstanding fact is the implementation of the ﬁ rst simulations using the atmospheric chemistry code, MOCAGE, coupled with the ARPEGE-Climate model for the years 1850 and 2000 in the context of the “Atmospheric Chemistry and Climate” intercomparison exercise. The ﬁ rst results are promising, and will be analysed within the scope of the IPCC work.

50 METEO FRANCE | 2010 ANNUAL REPORT 7

THE RESEARCH MISSION © Météo-France/CNRM/GAME

Research activities performed at Météo-France meet academic excellence criteria thanks to the efﬁ ciency of its scientists and engineers who are fully integrated in the French and European scientiﬁ c community. In addition to the climate topic, already dealt with in the previous section, the main objectives aim at improving weather forecasting in developing cutting edge numerical tools, mastering the most modern observation techniques, and further improving knowledge on the behaviour of the atmosphere, the ocean, soils and the snow cover, and on their interactions. More detailed information on these activities is available in Météo-France’s 2010 Research Report. 7 THE RESEARCH MISSION

The development of numerical forecasting systems

Météo-France develops and ensures a constant evo- In parallel, developments have been pursued with lution of its numerical weather forecasting systems a view to future improvements. Particular attention (ARPEGE, ALADIN, AROME, PEARP) which are based has been paid to the low level cloud and soil mois- on a single family of codes shared with European ture representations in AROME. In low wind wintry partners. New versions were implemented for an conditions, the model use to underestimate the cloud operational production on 6 April and 24 November cover. This bias has been attributed to an underesti- 2010. These changes, described in the Forecasting mation of the humidity variability at a scale smaller section, represented a major step in the realisation of than the model mesh. Parameterising this effect Météo-France’s commitments undertaken within the therefore allowed improving cloud forecasting. Work scope of its Contract for Objectives and Performance is currently under way to better take into account the signed with the government. Moreover the resolu- link with the orography variability inside the model tion of the ARPEGE-PEARP ensemble forecasts was mesh, and to improve the simulation of turbulence increased to 15 km over Europe on 13 December 2010. and small cumulus cloud development on hilltops.

Soil humidity index on 1st October 2010, as forecasted by the humid soils submitted to high evaporation rates. The results from AROME model in operational mode- using an interpolation of the both systems are fairly consistent. However, the proposed correc- soil humidity ﬁ eld obtained from the large scale ARPEGE model - tion allows obtaining a better resolution in the ﬁ ne structures, in (on the left), and in an experimental mode - using a surface ana- particular in the mountain areas. lysis system - (on the right). Very dry soils correspond to negative values of this index, while values above one characterised very

52 METEO FRANCE | 2010 ANNUAL REPORT

Low level cloud cover as forecasted with the AROME model (low nebulosity in white, strong nebulosity in grey) in operational The development in AROME of an analysis of the ini- mode (on the left) and when taking into account a new subgrid tial soil humidity also represents signifi cant progress. variance term (on the right), and compared with observation (in The selected method consists in correcting soil water the centre, coloured in yellow) on 10 January 2010 at 06:00 UTC. The forecasting of low level clouds covering a signifi cant portion contents and temperatures based on the knowledge of the continent is thus signifi cantly improved. of errors made in forecasting under cover humidity and atmospheric temperatures. This modifi cation has a positive impact on precipitation forecasting.

Experimental resources and development of measurement techniques

Météo-France actively applies its expertise to respond to environmental crises and contribute to the progress in measurement techniques, in particular at the service of aeronautics.

The ATR 42 and Falcon 20 research aircraft of SAFIRE (a mixed Météo-France/CNRS/CNES unit) were used during the crisis generated by the Icelandic volcano Eyjafjöll to detect the presence of ashes over mainland France (see section 2). More than 50 hours of in-fl ight measurements were carried out, providing crucial information to the decision making process re- Measurement site installed in Castanet, in South-West France, lating to reopening the airspace for scheduled fl ights. during the CIDEX experiment. This site comprised several measurement instruments, including a UHF wind profi ler, an During winter 2009-2010, the Calibration and Icing X-band radar, a Micro Rain Radar, a disdrometer and a rain gauge. Detection Experiment (CIDEX) has enabled progress in the study of precipitation microphysics and in the forecasting of aeronautical icing. The principal objec- operated during two months on four separate sites in tives were to test new calibration methods suitable the neighbourhood of the operational polarimetric ra- for polarimetric radars, to determine their ability to dar of Toulouse. In spite of precipitation amounts that detect supercooled water, and to better understand were signifi cantly lower than average, many interes- the thermodynamic and dynamic conditions that ting cases, including a snowstorm on 8 March 2010, contribute to icing. The experimental system, consis- could be sampled and are currently being analysed. ting in a set of research instruments (Micro Rain Radars, UHF and VHF wind profi lers, X-band radars, disdrometers, rain gauges and radio sounders) was

53 7 THE RESEARCH MISSION

International ﬁ eld experiments to improve forecasting

Météo-France is currently involved in three major in- CONCORDIASI aims at developing the use of measure- ternational projects intended to improve the progress ments from the IASI high resolution infrared radio- in meteorological phenomena forecasting: AMMA, meter (embarked on the EUMETSAT MetOp satellite) CONCORDIASI and HYMEX. above ice covered surfaces. The goal is, in particular, to improve weather and climate forecasting. With this AMMA (African Monsoon Multidisciplinary Analysis) objective, a fi eld experiment was organised at the gave rise to a fi eld experiment in 2006. The analyses Concordia base in Antarctica during winter 2010-2011. of the measurements that were carried out in West Africa have improved our understanding of the ocean The Hydrological Cycle in the Mediterranean and continental surface infl uences on the formation Experiment (HYMEX) is currently under preparation of African precipitation systems. They also showed a within the scope of MISTRALS, a project on the positive impact of the observations carried out in this Mediterranean basin habitability. Planned for 2012, region on the forecast of the weather to happen later this experiment has the objective of improving on in Europe. forecasts of extreme precipitation events on the Mediterranean rim and of climate change impacts on its water resources.

Simulations of the expected trajectories of 25 Aéroclippers released at two hour intervals from a coastal site near Mont- pellier during a tramontana episode on 6 and 7 January 2009. Tracing is interrupted when the device reaches a shore. This situation was favourable for an excellent sampling of the region of interest for marine convection (circled in orange).

54 METEO FRANCE | 2010 ANNUAL REPORT © CNES Preparation for the launch of a pressurised atmospheric balloon during the CONCORDIASI 2010 experiment.

Among the French contributions to this research, the BaMed (Balloons on the Mediterranean) project was developed in collaboration with the “Laboratoire de Météorologie Dynamique” (LMD) of the CNRS and with the National Centre for Space Studies (CNES). Its objective is to analyse the atmospheric properties in the lower layers. Two types of balloons will be used by CNES: Within a rapidly developing • Boundary layer pressurised balloons capable of col- national context, in 2010, lecting and transmitting temperature, humidity, pres- Météo-France became a founding sure and wind measurements in real time all along their trajectory at an altitude of approximately 1,000 member of ALLENVI, an alliance of m above the sea. These balloons will be released 12 environmental research bodies. from the French territory during autumn 2012, prior to The Institute has submitted several expected intense precipitation episodes; • Aéroclippers, tethered to gondolas which are drawn proposals for future investments, along as they are pushed by the wind and collect data and has continued with its policy enabling to deduce surface ocean ﬂ uxes. They will be of rapprochement to the Universe used during strong local wind episodes associated Science Observatories, a part of with ocean convection phenomena in the Gulf of Lion. The release sites are currently being identiﬁ ed. the CNRS - Universities grouping.

55 THE RESEARCH MISSION

Interview

Florence Rabier

HEAD OF OBSERVATIONS TEAM IN THEQUESTIONS METEO FRANCE À FLORENCE ASSIMILATION RABIER, RESPONSABLEAND FORECASTING DE L’ÉQUIPE MODELLING GROUP, AND SCIENTIFICOBSERVATIONS COORDINATOR DUOF THEGROUPE CONCORDIASI DE MODÉLISATION PROGRAMME. POUR L’AS- SIMILATION ET LA PRÉVISION À MÉTÉO-FRANCE ET RESPON- SABLE SCIENTIFIQUE DU PROGRAMME CONCORDIASI.

@ What are the objectives related to the ozone destruc- of Météo-France in tion during the polar spring. the CONCORDIASI experiment? @ How are the tactical The behaviour of the atmosphere decisions for the over Antarctica has signifi cant launch and fl ight of consequences on the weather the sounders taken? that will affect us a few days later, but also on the future of our Planet’s climate. Now, The sounders are released by radio-sounding coverage of these remote control from Toulouse. regions is highly insuffi cient to The operators use Web interfaces

© Météo-France, P. Pichard P. © Météo-France, describe the mechanisms origina- developed by the National Centre ting there with an adequate pre- for Space Studies (CNES) and the cision. On the other hand, Earth National Centre for Atmospheric observation satellites provide a Research (NCAR) to follow the considerable quantity of data. balloons and know their exact The objective of CONCORDIASI position. Two criteria were consists in producing sounding defi ned to trigger the releases. measurements in that region The fi rst is to fi nd out whether the in order to verify that data from balloon’s ceiling trajectory will the IASI sounder of the MetOp be under the path of the MetOp satellite are effi ciently used in satellite. A second criterion forecasting models. Instruments regards the meteorological are also deployed on board bal- interest of the area to be passed loon gondolas to document the through. Several stations ozone content and the atmos- stations have also been pheric circulation in the stratos- approached to carry out phere. This experiment will also additional soundings: give an opportunity to examine The French station at Dumont several aspects of the models’ d’Urville, the French-Italian physics, such as the representa- Concordia base and the tion of snow covered surfaces, British station at Rothera. gravity waves and processes

56 METEO FRANCE | 2010 ANNUAL REPORT 8

OBSERVATION AND INFRASTRUCTURES © Météo-France

Observation is the ﬁ rst step in Météo-France’s work – it is the basic information for any meteorological or climate related task. Moreover, the collection of data, their transfer, dissemination and use suppose reliable, high-performance information systems. The development of the observation network and essential infrastructures, particularly for information systems, is therefore one of Météo-France’s priorities. 8 OBSERVATION AND INFRASTRUCTURES

Surface observation

Several projects and studies, intended to further develop or adapt the relevant information systems, were carried out in 2010.

Particular attention was paid to support actions for the territorial reorganization, which, as regards observation, constitute the subject of the OBS 2012 project. To ensure the proper maintenance functions on the whole territory, the operational organization will undergo a series of modiﬁ cations adapted to Synthetic VISON map for 08/01/2010 at 12:00 UTC. The red each speciﬁ c local situation. Thus, the creation of colour corresponds to a strong probability that the falling snow new maintenance centres is planned, as is the im- will adhere to the ground; light grey corresponds to snow on the plementation of OBS divisions to assure the network ground observed by satellite in the absence of clouds management functions in each region.

The year 2010 was characterised by the launch of the out in 2011 with the prospect to generalise this PACOME project, which should, over the long term, method over the entire national network. modify the surface network structures. Several types of automatic stations are currently used, each being Over and beyond these actions preparing for the adapted to a special mission category. This variety re- future, 2010 also saw the continuation of long term quires the development of multiple competences and work such as the automation of the radiosounding the acquisition of an entire range of material resour- network. This will take shape with the installation, in ces devoted to maintenance operations. The objec- 2011, of an operational system in Nîmes, prior to its tive of the project is to fi nd, over the longer term, a general application to the entire network. more economic solution utilising equipment whose adaptability covers all the needs, from precipitation An experiment was also launched for the modernisa- measurements to specialised airfi eld observations. tion of the National Climate Network which gathers This project is made possible by the recent develo- volunteers carrying out climatological observations. pments in data acquisition, processing and concen- It is phased over several years, and aims at outfi tting tration technologies, but also by the emergence of the stations with digital thermometers. international data fl ow management benchmarks and standards. Project implementation should begin in A data merger system, named VISON (Visualisation of 2013 with the purchase of new adapted equipment. Snow Observation), has been developed to help forecasters evaluating current snow related phenomena Another innovative action has been the identifi cation by combining various sources of information: radar of sophisticated products and automatic systems and satellite images, forecast temperatures, surface suitable to provide assistance to observation and network observations. diagnosis of sensitive weather. For this purpose, the TENEBRE project, which started this year in the north- eastern region, seeks to experiment the operational use of cameras. A summary analysis will be carried

58 METEO FRANCE | 2010 ANNUAL REPORT

Interview

Victorine Pérarnaud

DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE OBSERVATION SYSTEM DIVISION

With the implementation of the OBS 2012 project, observation at Météo-France is entering into a deep mutation. Victorine Pérarnaud enlightens us on the project details.

in each CMIR, of “observation” observation sites (without divisions must contribute a better Météo-France personnel), the control of further developments, OBS 2012 project is preparing operation and maintenance. Their appropriate solutions, inclu- gradual implementation will start ding: Subcontracting simple in 2011. Alternative solutions to tasks such as unclogging rain

© Météo-France, P. Pichard P. © Météo-France, human observation have already gauges and implementing been examined. At this point, adaptive maintenance on an “as several actions have already needed” basis rather than on The objective of the OBS 2012 been undertaken, such as the the occasion of routine mainte- project is to propose a develop- deployment of present weather nance rounds. Thus the quality ment of the observation means and soil condition sensors. of the observation should be and methods, which takes into Others will be deployed starting preserved and optimised. account the latest progress made in 2012. The objective is to make in measurement techniques and to best use of a combination of Reinforcement of the mainte- the constraints due to the Météo- the available technical tools in nance centres has also been France’s territorial reorganization. order to compensate the gradual deemed useful. As an example, reduction in human observations. in 2010, the south-western region As regards the network ma- had only three centres to cover nagement, the Territorial 20 Départements while several Meteorological Centres @ What will be the impact automatic stations and two addi- (CMTs) will replace the current of the territorial reorga- tional radars have been installed Départemental Centres. The nization on the mainte- over the past few years. The intervention areas of these future nance activity? project has therefore decided the CMTs and of the Interregional creation of two additional main- Meteorological Centres (CMIR) The number of meteorological tenance centres, one in Tarbes have been redeﬁ ned for the three centres will be reduced. To ensure and the other one in Poitiers. observation systems: ground, the preventive and corrective radar and altitude. The creation, maintenance of isolated

59 8 OBSERVATION AND INFRASTRUCTURES

Meteorological radar networks

In 2010, a special effort had been devoted to However, the Aramis network coverage remains storm and precipitation observation. With a very inadequate in mountain regions where the orogra- broad coverage of the mainland territory provi- phy constitutes an obstacle to the radar beams. ded by the 24 radars (C band and S band) of the Reinforcement of the Aramis network has been envi- Aramis network, Météo-France performs real time saged with the installation of shorter range (X band) detection of dangerous weather phenomena and radars that do not require heavy infrastructure. This estimation of rain amounts at the 1 km scale. solution has been implemented on an experimental However, the network is aging, with some equip- basis within the scope of the Rhytmme project: A ment being more than 30 years old and needing project which is part of the 2007-2013 Plan Contract to be replaced. For this purpose, actions have between the Government and the PACA Region, and been conducted for several years with the General for which Météo-France is the prime contractor in Directorate for Risks Prevention (DGPR). Thus, in partnership with CEMAGREF. In 2010, a new radar 2010, a call for tenders was issued for replacing the was thus commissioned and installed on the summit radar installed on the Grèzes site in Dordogne. of the Maurel Mountain (Alpes de Haute-Provence)

First radar reﬂ ectivity composite picture produced by the OPERA centre on 25 May 2010 at 05:15 UTC. This prototype includes only French and British data. The operational pictures will cover an area ranging from Norway to Greece, with a spatial resolution of 2 km and a temporal frequency of 15 minutes.

60 METEO FRANCE | 2010 ANNUAL REPORT

Rate of “false alarms” recorded in the radar precipitation detection. In the presence of insects, birds or strong variations in humidity, the radars receive parasite signals, sometimes confused with signals from precipitations (on the left). The use of cloud classiﬁ cations derived from Météosat allows for the elimination of a large part of these artefacts (on the right).

to supplement that already installed on Mount Vial the perturbations to the signals due to the presence (Alpes-Maritimes). The objective is to accomplish, of wind mills have been at the core of the work by 2013, a mini network of four X band radars in done in 2010. Indeed, wind mills have a signifi cant operational mode, linked to a data processing impact on radar measurements, they create signifi - platform dedicated to hydrological applications. cant perturbations to the estimation of precipitation amounts and of the radial wind that is measured In collaboration with the British Met Offi ce and within through the Doppler effect. Upon request from the the scope of the OPERA (Operational Programme government representatives of several Départements, for the Exchange of weather RAdar information) studies have been carried out to evaluate the impacts programme, Météo-France has pursued the develo- of wind mill farms in the 20 km concertation zones pment of an Operational data centre dedicated to surrounding the existing radars. Moreover, within the real time concentration of observations from 200 the scope of a study coordinated by the Agency for radars installed in 30 European countries, and to the Environment and Energy Management (ADEME), production of real time composite images (also called Météo-France, in collaboration with the National mosaics) covering an area that ranges from Norway Offi ce for Aerospace Studies and Research (ONERA), to Greece. The fi rst mosaic prototype was produced is developing a piece of software to easily estimate in May, with a horizontal resolution of 2 km and a the possible impacts of wind mill projects as a func- temporal frequency of 15 minutes. The service was tion of the radar signal characteristics. In all cases, declared operational at the very beginning of 2011. the goal is to preserve the observation capability of a network developed for people and property’s safety, Radar network effi ciency presupposes the mainte- while enabling renewable energy developments. nance of a good observation quality. In this regard,

61 8 OBSERVATION AND INFRASTRUCTURES

The development of key infrastructures

The implementation of the last portion of the Météo- This will allow sharing a computer room with the France NEC supercomputer took place in early 2010, Advanced Research Thematic Network (RTRA), on with a corresponding upgrade of the data storage the Montaudran site, within the scope of the Espace system. Once this last stage accomplished, the Clément-Ader operation, for which the PRES is the preparatory work for the supercomputer replacement contracting authority. The supercomputer future envi- took on a new dimension in 2010 with the launch of a ronment has been the subject of in-depth studies, re- specifi c programme named Calcul 2013. This project garding in particular its electric power requirements. covers all the activities that are necessary to guaran- Work has been performed on the defi nition of nume- tee the service continuity in 2013-2014: consultation rical forecasting codes to be supplied for evaluating and offer evaluation processes, preparation of the the performance of the different machines on offer. site infrastructure and of the operating environment, adaptation and incorporation of the numerical Other studies have been related to the “virtua- simulation models, acceptance and commissioning. lisation” of the servers used in operational production. They aim at sharing a technical platform The institute confi rmed its cooperation with the for the benefi t of several applications in order to Toulouse Research and Higher Education Centre achieve scale economies and energy savings. (PRES) and with the local communities. Signifi cant resources have been devoted to an analysis of information technology needs linked to the territorial reorganization and to the defi nition of the best technical solutions, taking into account the parallel evolutions of technologies and of the institute’s mission requirements.

The SYNOPSIS project was thus launched. It regards changes in the forecasters’ workstations whose computer technology is now too old to meet with the new data exchange standards and with the need for cross-referencing between weather data and other georeferenced information. The selected approach allows gradually transforming the SYNERGIE current platform into a new technical structure called SYNOPSIS, which carries these new functionalities. Designed according to a service-oriented architec- The functionalities of the future Synopsis workstation illus- ture, it is intended to equip all Météo-France sites trate the “service-oriented” architecture capabilities. Weather with fl exible confi gurations adapted to the needs. information can be cross-referenced with other geographic Several of its components have already been model- information. led in 2010. A fi rst version will be deployed in 2011 for the benefi t of the forecasting services reorga- nised within the scope of the Prévi 2012 project.

62 METEO FRANCE | 2010 ANNUAL REPORT 9

OUR INTERNATIONAL DIMENSION

Météo-France actively contributes to international exchanges that are at the core of its meteorological mission. Thus, 2010 was characterised by the 60th anniversary of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the renewal of multilateral cooperation agreements (ECMWF, ALADIN consortium), and modernisation of shared systems devoted to the production, exchange and dissemination of information. 9 OUR INTERNATIONAL DIMENSION

The World Meteorological Organization

In 2010, Météo-France contributed to support the Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Haitian National Meteorology Centre, weakened by are detailed in Météo-France’s 2010 Sustainable the January 2010 earthquakes, in order to enable it to Development Report. face the rain and hurricane seasons. These activities, which were carried out together with the World The development of the WMO’s information system Meteorological Organization (WMO), Environment (WIS) was pursued in collaboration with the British Canada, the British Met Ofﬁ ce and the US National Met Ofﬁ ce and Meteo France International, with the Interview The World Meteorological Organization (WMO), a specialised Michel Jarraud agency of the United Nations Organization (UNO) in meteorological matters, and leader of the international cooperation SECRETARY GENERAL on the subject, celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2010. On OF THE WMO this occasion, Michel Jarraud, the Organization’s Secretary General, revisited some conclusions and prospects.

@ What are the principal and to promoting and taking ad- accomplishments of vantage of science and technolo- WMO since its creation? gy in order to create products and services that are useful for the WMO has developed an exem- populations, the decision makers plary and unequalled system of and a number of socio-economic global cooperation in the area of sectors. WMO has also succee- weather, climate, hydrology and ded in positioning itself at a environmental observations, data world level and within the United and services. The development of Nations as the leading organiza- the National Meteorological and tion regarding forecasting and Hydrometeorological Services monitoring of weather, climate, © OMM (NMHSs) and the reinforcement of water and environmental issues. their capabilities are the result of this groundwork. WMO has also From the very beginning, France contributed to promoting free and has played an essential role unrestricted exchange of meteo- in these achievements, and rological data and products on a several of its representatives global scale, to deﬁ ning the ne- have directly contributed to cessary international standards, the Organization’s success

64 METEO FRANCE | 2010 ANNUAL REPORT

support of the Australian Bureau of Meteorology and a single point of entry via a Web portal. The functionalities the Korean weather service. The OpenWIS software of this system have been presented to the WMO’s Basic system was developed to implement all the WIS func- Systems Commission at its meeting in Namibia. tions, in particular those pertaining to its role as the Global Information System Centre (GISC) in charge of ensuring the collection and distribution of weather information on a global scale, while offering the user

since the beginning with the WMO carries out unique assign- of developing and less advanced WMO Chairmanship held by ments which are placed at the countries, the implementation M. Viaut from 1955 to 1963. service of its members and of of the Global Earth Observation the international community. It System and of the WMO’s @ Is the existence of WMO has grown in total emphasis with Information System (WIS), the assessed differently its members. The WMO perma- reduction of the catastrophe today than when it was nent representatives are the risks, and the development of created in 1950? best guarantors of the solidarity weather services for aviation. and collaboration spirit that is The prime raison d’être of WMO essential to the Organization, but These choices represent an has been the need to coordi- also of the realism and impor- anchoring to its fundamental nate the technical work of its tance of the taken decisions. missions and an ambitious evol- members. The increasing impact They contribute the neces- ution of WMO and its community of meteorological and climate sary expertise to lead WMO in to provide responses to the new phenomena on global socio- a constantly changing world. twenty-ﬁ rst century challen- economic aspects led WMO ges as regards, in particular, to other areas of activity such @ What will be WMO’s adaptation to climate change. as disaster prevention, ﬁ ght priorities for the years These topics are, in any event, against poverty, food safety, to come, and what are transversal, and should rely on health and many others. the keys to success? strengthened partnerships.

These changes have been The WMO’s Strategic Plan, which I am conﬁ dent that the next recognised, and the protocol of will be submitted to the approval Congress will consolidate the pla- the Convention that governs the of the 16th Congress, postulates ce of WMO and the NMHSs on the Organization has been amended that WMO should concentrate national and international levels, to reﬂ ect this new reality, on its efforts on: the global scope thanks to the support to be provi- the occasion of the 15th World for climatological services, the ded by the members towards the Meteorological Congress in 2007. reinforcement of the capabilities success of these priority tasks.

65 9 OUR INTERNATIONAL DIMENSION

Cooperation with European bodies and organizations

On 15 August 2010, Météo-France completed the the current Météosat satellites at a higher sophisti- migration of its RETIM weather information ser- cation level in the visible and infrared spectra and vice onto the EUMETSAT’s EumetCast system. will include a lightning observation capability. They This service, which is used on a daily basis by will also inaugurate a new era by placing the ﬁ rst several European and African weather authori- infrared vertical temperature and humidity sounders ties, naturally blends into the WMO’s information on a geostationary orbit. This new system should, system (WIS). Its successful migration enables in particular, improve forecasting, early detection users to receive complementary EUMETSAT and and monitoring of dangerous convective systems. Météo-France data ﬂ ows on a single terminal.

Through Météo-France, France conﬁ rmed its participation in the EUMETSAT’s Météosat third generation (MTG) programme which will start in 2011. From 2017, MTG satellites will fulﬁ l the imaging mission of

Map of the EumetCast terminals receiving RETIM services (outside of France).

Participants in the RETIM - EumetCast meeting at the EUMETSAT headquarters in Darmstadt, Germany.

66 METEO FRANCE | 2010 ANNUAL REPORT

Coloured pictures of a convective system: at the Météosat second generation (MSG) resolution (on the left), and at the Météosat third generation (MTG) resolution (on the right).

On 6 June, a protocol was implemented to amend tive bodies: the Science and Technology Advisory the Agreement establishing the creation of the Committee (STAC) and the Policy and Finance European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Advisory Committee (PFAC). Within the scope of Forecasts (ECMWF), an intergovernmental organiza- OPERA (Operational Programme for the Exchange of tion based in Reading in the UK. With its powerful weather RAdar information), Météo-France and the supercomputer, and for the benefi t of its 18 Member British Met Offi ce have pursued the development of States and 14 Cooperating States, ECMWF develops the operational centre to be in charge of radar data and operates numerical weather models devoted concentration (see section 8 regarding Observation). to more than three-day ahead forecasts. The amended Agreement creates more favourable conditions for the Centre’s development. It now enables ac- cession of new Member States, cooperation with other research bodies and implementation of third party programmes, in particular in the scope of the European Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) initiative. It should fi nally be pointed out that, since the end of 2010, France is exercising the ECMWF Council Chairmanship.

In 2010, EUMETNET, the European Network of 26 Meteorological Services, which became an Economic Interest Grouping (EIG) at the end of 2009, consolidated its governance by creating two consulta-

67 9 OUR INTERNATIONAL DIMENSION

The other multilateral and bilateral cooperation

Professor Gerhard Adrian, the new Chairman of the Deutscher Wetterdienst (DWD, the German Weather Service) was welcomed in Toulouse on 26 October 2010 on the occasion of the 11th Bilateral Meeting. This was an opportunity to summarise the cooperation on research and forecasting and then to defi ne a programme for 2011. Météo-France and DWD have taken note of the convergence of their numerical weather forecasting strategies, in particular with an emphasis on overall very fi ne scale forecasting using models such as AROME or COSMO-D. They decided to more systematically compare their results and to work together on the defi nition of performance scores that would be most appropriate for this scale, as well as on the defi nition of Passing the baton: Jean-François Geleyn welcomes metadata intended to facilitate the use of weather Piet Termonia, new Director of the ALADIN programme, radar measurements in numerical forecasting. on the occasion of the programme’s twentieth anniversary.

The ALADIN consortium, which gathers 16 European weather services in the development of high resolution, limited area forecasting models, held its General meeting in Prague on 14 and 15 December 2010, on the occasion of the twentieth anniversary of this cooperation. In the presence of Ms Bizkova, Vice Minister for Economic and Environmental Policies of the Czech Republic, this meeting saw the signature of a new cooperation agreement covering the next ﬁ ve years, and the handover of the Chairmanship from the former Director of the ALADIN programme, Jean-François Geleyn from France, to the new one, Piet Termonia from Belgium. A new step towards the rapprochement between the ALADIN and HIRLAM consortia was completed with the adoption of the ﬁ rst joint cooperation programme for 2011.

68 METEO FRANCE | 2010 ANNUAL REPORT 10

THE LIFE OF THE INSTITUTE

Météo-France pays particular attention to a proper use of its resources in order to offer users optimum quality products. Over and above a continuous improvement of its services and operating procedures, the institute is also responsible for conducting the strategic developments that are necessary to prepare for the future. For this purpose, an evolutionary change in Météo-France’s working habits was initiated in 2009 and already bore its ﬁ rst fruits in 2010. 10 THE LIFE OF THE INSTITUTE

A development strategy to answer scientiﬁ c, economic and environmental stakes

Météo-France’s strategy is structured around several The year 2010 was largely devoted to prepare these priorities: changes, by defi ning the new operational modes of • A particular attention devoted to research, in order forecasting and by developing essential technical de- to prepare the future of numerical forecasting; vices such as the forecasters’ dialogue tool. A set of • The implementation of an aeronautics R&D road experiments has been carrying out to prepare for the map, enabling to meet the challenges presented by changeover towards the new organization, foreseen the Single European Sky; at the end of 2011 and including in particular the cen- • A will to increase climate research and to contribute tralisation in Toulouse of the aeronautical “en route” to the defi nition of climate services; monitoring function. • A special investment effort to benefi t from infrastructures that are essential for the accomplishment Finally, as regards observation, 2010 aimed at of its missions (observation, calculation, information defi ning the fallback conditions on the sites that are technologies); currently occupied, so as to ensure that substitution • An evolution of the organization intended to offer solutions will be defi ned and that the observation a superior quality service while producing room for series will be continued. Météo-France’s automatic manoeuvre in favour of innovation and research. observation network will be maintained. The trans- formations that are currently underway will bear To attain these objectives, Météo-France implemen- fruit starting in 2012. They will contribute to provide ted a set of ambitious actions to rethink its operating Météo-France with an important asset enabling it to procedures, simplify its practices, benefi t from the further improve its service quality. latest scientifi c and technological advances and optimise the use of its resources. Taken together, all these projects represent a major effort. They manifest Météo-France’s ability to im- Several national scale projects were launched on fo- prove its organization and to move ahead, including recasting, aeronautics and observation with the goal by questioning current practices, regardless of how of obtaining concrete results by the end of 2011. traditional or well established they may be.

In the area of forecasting, the evolution aims at These changes also translate into a tightening of greater simplicity in the organization of the work with Météo-France’s territorial network that aims at more upstream forecasting (general forecasting without effectively meeting the stakeholders’ expectations specifi c adaptation to each individual user needs) on while preserving a strong local presence. Météo- two levels (national/regional) instead of three (natio- France intends to maintain its service quality with nal/regional/Départemental) as it is the case today. a reduced number of offi ces (55 down from 108). A In parallel, reinforced emphasis will be placed on fi rst closure already took place in 2010 at the Bourget decision making assistance (advisory forecasting) in aeronautical station. Moreover, 17 closures, identifi ed order to offer more appropriate services to the users. in 2009, will be effective in 2012, and 13 new closures were selected this year to be effective in 2013. Thanks to a better resource sharing (night time In order to prepare for these changes under the best weather situation management, for example), the possible conditions, local information is conducted new organization will also reinforce reactivity and the under the aegis of the government’s Départemental resources to be available in crisis situations. representatives.

70 METEO FRANCE | 2010 ANNUAL REPORT © Météo-France, P. Taburet P. © Météo-France, Lidar being tested at the Nice airport, in the Alpes-Maritimes Département.

Lidar observation in a runway approach axis. This cross-section shows fairly strong wind shears, physically represented here by the coexistence of a green colour indicating tailwinds and a yellow colour indicating headwinds. Several aircraft go-arounds were recorded in this kind of situation.

The effort thus required is important because it also calls for the personnel’s adjustment to new working methods. It is for this reason that a very careful follow-up has been implemented within the institute in order to accompany this transformation process and to provide support to all concerned personnel.

71 10 THE LIFE OF THE INSTITUTE

Administrative and ﬁ nancial organization at the service of the institute’s projects

In 2010, Météo-France continued its efforts to secure complying with the recommendations of the Grenelle the most pertinent and appropriate tools for a rigo- Agreement on Environment. Current real estate rous administrative and fi nancial management that is projects are concerned with an objective of service essential for its proper operation. merging and optimisation of the existing assets. The divisions of Météo-France that are located in the In April, the auditors appointed in August 2009 Paris region will thus be pooled on the Saint-Mandé certifi ed Météo-France’s accounts, thus turning into site within the scope of a sustainable development reality the efforts conducted by the institute for seve- project shared with the National Geographic Institute ral years. This new process is now involving Météo- (IGN). The transfer of the personnel is planned for the France in an annual audit cycle of its accounting and autumn 2011. It will affect 430 people currently wor- fi nancial procedures. In parallel, a set of internal king on three different sites. Service continuity will be control procedures has been developed and incor- assured, in particular as regards those operating 24 porated in the institute’s quality system to ensure hours a day. compliance with the procedures and risk control in a strongly decentralised management environment. The fi nancial situation A multiannual real estate strategy Plan has been developed and submitted to the Ministry in 2010. In this Expenditure in 2010 amounted to M€359.2, showing way, Météo-France seeks to pursue improvements a very low growth (+0.17%) compared to 2009. This in its real estate portfolio management in view of stabilization covers three main aspects: fi rst, a slight

Expenditure out of labour costs (in million Euros) 120,0

100,0 29,8 29,2 29,2 35,61 80,0 24,6 19,1 19,1 18,6 12,84 60,0 16,7

40,0

57,3 61,3 60,4 51,5 56,22 20,0

0,0

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Operating expenses Capital budget EUMETSAT

Expenses excluding payroll (in million Euros)

72 METEO FRANCE | 2010 ANNUAL REPORT

400,00

5,69

350,00 4,85 41,51 6,33 4,90 7,38 39,98 41,92 44,32 300,00 42,03

85,23

83,23 250,00 81,20 79,10 76,98 7,84

4,22 33,21 State subsidy 5,70 6,40 27,21 200,00 6,90 22,89 Other products 27,80 32,70 Commercial income

Subsidy to EUMETSAT 150,00 Aeronautical revenues

External revenues

100,00 184,3 191,66 174,35 165,10 155,08

50,00

0,00 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Allocation of Météo-France’s ﬁ nancial resources by origin (in million Euros).

increase in staff costs (+1.75%) linked to higher • The 2010 French contribution to EUMETSAT was in- pension contributions, second, an increase in contri- creased by M€6.4 as compared to the previous year. butions to the European Organization EUMETSAT in connection with the third-generation weather satellite On another hand, in 2010, an important work on programs, and fi nally a very prudent management of verifi cation and reliability of assets was completed expenditure and investment in light of the revision and focused on property, including computers and of the 2010 commercial revenue target. real estate. A similar exercise will be conducted in 2011 for the observation equipment. The exercise ended with a defi cit, smaller than expected, of M€1.03, which is explained by several factors: • Operations of accounting nature have affected the income statement as exceptional or accelerated depreciation, mainly due to the transfer of the institute’s headquarters; • Signifi cant efforts were conducted throughout 2010 to master the payroll and to very strictly control operating expenses;

73 10 THE LIFE OF THE INSTITUTE

Commitment to an exemplary human resource policy

For several years now, Météo-France has been of these interviews was to approach the perso- continuously modernising its human resource nal situations, the individual positions regarding management. The use of a customised piece mobility, and the transfer options offered both in of software (SITERH) has accompanied the im- geographic and in future assignment terms. Various plementation of the government’s Planned innovative measures have also been implemented, Workforce, Job and Competencies Management for example the possibility to opt for a new posi- (GPEEC) programme in the institute. tion eighteen months to two years in advance.

The organization of a performance evaluation A fi rst set of conclusions were drawn up at the end interview has facilitated staff management and of 2010. They show that, for the majority of the staff evaluation of the employee skills. It helps offe- currently employed in the centres scheduled for clo- ring training that is better customised to the po- sure in 2012, solutions have been defi ned to enable sitions fi lled, but also enlightening the internal them fi nding new career development options. mobility processes with more pertinent data. Météo-France is being particularly vigilant to ensure In conjunction with Météo-France’s restructuring, that each individual situation is taken into account two consultation cycles were organised within and to propose options appropriate with both the the scope of the Individual Support for Territorial individuals’ interest and the institute’s. At inter- Reorganization (AIRT) project. An “external” consul- regional level, consultations will continue in 2011 tation of all concerned personnel has been carried with the agents for whom no solution have been out by a specialised service provider, and com- found in the meantime. In addition to the usual pleted in April 2010. An « internal» consultation, mobility processes, the internal joint worker/mana- reserved as a priority to the staff whose centres gement instances have conducted an examination are expected to close in 2012 or 2013, was then of individual situations in order to detect poten- conducted in each interregional division. The goal tial diffi culties that could have gone unnoticed.

Staff breakdown per category and gender (on 31/12/2010)

Women Men Total actual payroll

Senior managers 39 153 192

Engineers and scientists 250 636 886

Senior technicians 380 1 496 1 876

Support functions (administrative personnel 315 289 604 and state workers)

TOTAL 984 2 574 3 558

74 METEO FRANCE | 2010 ANNUAL REPORT

POPULATION PYRAMID OF METEO FRANCE’S PERSONNEL (situation on 31/12/10)

Men 68 Women 66 1 2 2 64 3 9 7 18 62 5 30 6 29 60 8 61 20 65 58 20 93 29 100 56 16 145 40 110 54 47 105 27 102 52 32 81 43 88 50 23 74 56 125 48 65 119 AGE 64 120 46 53 86 29 82 44 34 57 27 78 42 27 70 41 74 40 24 64 22 70 38 31 56 26 63 36 14 42 12 43 34 14 43 14 42 32 14 35 22 28 30 22 33 6 20 28 4 15 2 14 26 4 9 7 13 24 8 12 5 15 22 4 16 5 7 20 1 7 2 18

75 65 55 45 35 25 15 5 5 15 25 35 45 55 65 75 85 95 105 115 125 135 145

NUMBER OF AGENTS

Breakdown of Météo-France’s personnel according to age and gender (on 31 December 2010).

75 10 THE LIFE OF THE INSTITUTE

An institute that cares for its service quality and its environmental footprint

Within the scope of the ISO 9001 certifi cation, Météo- implemented in particular in the fi nancial fi eld for France has built a continuous improvement approach three central and four interregional divisions, thus that enables to unremittingly develop its business more solidly anchoring quality in the reality of the and services. institute’s practices.

One of the great undertakings for 2010 was to fi nd a Moreover, as Météo-France is particularly willing simplifi cation for quality management and a bet- to improve its environmental footprint, the efforts ter articulation between the national and the local undertaken in eco-responsibility matters continued to systems. Certain management and support processes be pursued. The implementation of new videoconfer- have thus been merged so as to render applicable at encing and Web conferencing systems has enabled a the local level those that were initially defi ned speci- reduction of more than 20% in air travelling. fi cally for the central level. A new project was launched to reduce the automobile In the course of the year, the control audits carried fl eet by 20% within three years and replace the oldest out by VERITAS yielded an extension of the institute’s and most polluting vehicles. In its real estate stra- certifi cation. At the same time, the internal audit tegy, the institute is committed to meeting environ- fi eld of operation was expanded from the strictly ISO mental standards as witnessed by the construction (quality) aspect to the “business” aspect, following of its future headquarters in Saint-Mandé. These the example of Aeronautics. Mixed “quality/busi- various aspects are detailed in Météo-France’s 2010 ness” audits thus constitute evidence of progress, Sustainable Development Report.

Artist’s impression of the future Météo-France’s headquarters in Saint-Mandé (Val-de-Marne).

76 METEO FRANCE | 2010 ANNUAL REPORT 11

APPENDICES 11 APPENDICES

Glossary of initial, acronyms and abbreviations

ADEME: Agency for Environment and Energy Management CONCORDIASI: Programme to improve knowledge ADSL: Asymmetrical Digital Subscriber Loop on the Antarctic climate AEARP: Ensemble assimilation system based on ARPÈGE CORDEX: Coordinated Regional Climate Downscaling simulations Experiment AIGA: Adaptation of geographic information for fl ood warning COSMO: Consortium for Small-Scale Modelling AIRT: Météo-France’s Individual Support for Territorial CRNA: Regional air traffi c centre Reorganization DGAC: French Civil Aviation Administration ALADIN: International numerical weather prediction project DGALN: General Directorate for Housing, Regional Development, for the development of Limited area models and Nature ALLENVI: National Alliance for Environmental Research DGPR: General Directorate for Risk Prevention AMESD: African Monitoring of the environment and sustainable DREAL: Regional Directorate for environment, development development and housing AMMA: African Monsoon Multidisciplinary Analyses DSAC: Civil Aviation Safety Department ARAMIS: Radar application to infra-synoptic meteorology DSC: Directorate for Civil Protection AROME: Météo-France’s high-resolution numerical forecasting DSNA: Directorate for air navigation services model DTA: Air Transport Department ARPÈGE: Météo-France’s large-scale numerical forecasting DWD: Deutscher Wetterdienst model ECMWF: European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts ATR 42: Météo-France’s instrumented atmospheric research EIG: Economic Interest Grouping airplane ENM: French National School of Meteorology BAMED: Balloons on the Mediterranean EPRI: Preliminary evaluation of fl ooding risks BAN: Navy airbase EUMETCAST: EUMETSAT data distribution system BTP: Public Works and Civil Engineering EUMETNET: Network of 26 European Meteorological Services CATNAT: Natural catastrophe EUMETSAT: European organization for the operation CDG: Charles de Gaulle of meteorological satellites CDM@CDG: Collaborative decision making system set up FABEC: Functional Airspace Block Europe Central in the Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport GISC: Global Information and System Centres CDM@Orly: Decision making system implemented GMES: Global Monitoring for Environment and Security at the Paris-Orly Airport GPEEC: French government project for planned workforce, CEA: French Atomic Energy Commission job and competencies management CEMAGREF: Research Institute for sustainable land HYMEX: Hydrological Cycle in the Mediterranean Experiment and water management IASI: Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer CERFACS: European centre for research and advanced training ICAO: International Civil Aviation Organization in scientifi c computation IDB: Islamic Development Bank CHFP: Climate Historical Forecasting Project IGN: National Geographic Institute CIDEX: Calibration and Icing Detection Experiment IMNE: Image, Numeric media and Education CISMF: French inter-army meteo-oceanographic support centre INERIS: National Institute for Industrial Environment and Risks CNES: French national space agency INPT: Toulouse National Institute of Technology CNRM: French national meteorological research centre INVS: French National Institute for Health Monitoring CNRS: French national scientifi c research centre IPGP: Paris World Physics Institute CONCORDIA: Base situated on Dome C in the Antarctic IPSL: Pierre-Simon-Laplace Institute

78 METEO FRANCE | 2010 ANNUAL REPORT

IRD: French Research Institute for Development SAFRAN: Atmospheric forcing analysis system ISBA: Soil-biosphere-atmosphere interface (modelling) SCHAPI: Central hydro-meteorological fl ood forecasting support ISO: International Standardization Organization department LMD: Dynamic Meteorology Laboratory SES: Single European Sky LSCE: Laboratory for climate and environmental sciences SESAR: Single European Sky Air Traffi c Management Research MEDDTL: Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development, SHOM: French Navy Hydrographic and Oceanographic Transport and Housing Department MERCATOR-OCEAN: Cooperative Programme of operational SIGMET: Signifi cant Meteorological Information oceanography SITERH: Information system for salaries, jobs MÉTÉO-FRANCE RÉGIE: Météo-France’s subsidiary and human resources MÉTÉORAGE: French thunderstorm survey network SMS: Short Message Service METEOSAT: European geostationary meteorological satellite SPC: Flood forecasting service METNEXT: Subsidiary of Météo-France, the “Caisse des Dépôts” SPI: Standardized Precipitation Index and NYSE-Euronext SSWI: Standardized Soil Wetness Index MET OFFICE: British national meteorological service STAC: Science and Technology Advisory Committee METOP: European polar-orbiting meteorological satellite SYNERGIE: Météo-France forecaster workstation MFI: Meteo France International SYNOPSIS: Future Météo-France forecaster tool MOCAGE: Macro scale atmospheric chemistry model TAF: Terminal Aerodrome Forecasts MODCOU: Coupled surface-underground hydrological model UHF: Ultra High Frequency MSG: Meteosat Second Generation UTC: Coordinated universal time MTG: Meteosat Third Generation UV: Ultraviolet NATO: North Atlantic Treaty Organization VAAC: Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre NAVIMAIL: Customized marine weather product sent by e-mail VHF: Very High Frequency NEC: Japanese electronics and supercomputer Company WCRP: World Climate Research Programme NEMO: European ocean model WMO: World Meteorological Organization NLR: Dutch National aerospace research laboratory NEMOS: Meteo France International equipment project NMHN: National Meteorological and Hydrological Service NOAA: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ODC: Operational data centre ONÉRA: National Offi ce for Aerospace Studies and Research OPERA: EUMETNET’s Operational Programme for the Exchange of weather Radar information PACA: Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Region PCS: Communal Safety Plan PEARP: Ensemble prediction system based on ARPÈGE simulations PFAC: Policy and Finance Advisory Committee PREDICT SERVICE: Météo-France subsidiary for crisis management decision aid PRES: Research and Higher Education Centre PUMA: Preparation for the Use of MSG in Africa R&D: Research and Development RETIM: Satellite broadcasting of meteorological data RHYTMME: Hydro-meteorological risks in the mountain and Mediterranean territories SAFIRE: French airborne environmental research service

79 11 APPENDICES

Météo-France’s scientiﬁ c advisory committee (on 31/12/2010)

PERSONALITIES APPOINTED BY THEIR INSTITUTIONS INSTITUTIONS

Madame Isabelle BENEZETH MEDDTL

Monsieur Robert DELMAS MESR

Monsieur Pierre HUGUET DGA

Monsieur Thierry LEBEL IRD

Monsieur Didier RENAUT CNES

Monsieur Frank ROUX CNRS

Monsieur Yves BRUNET INRA

Monsieur Patrick VINCENT IFREMER

CHOSEN PERSONALITIES INSTITUTIONS

Madame Anny CAZENAVE (présidente) LEGOS

Monsieur Jean-Dominique CREUTIN LTHE

Madame Danièle HAUSER LATMOS

Monsieur Andrew LORENC UK Met Ofﬁ ce

Monsieur Robert VAUTARD LSCE

Monsieur Jean-Pascal van YPERSELE Université catholique de Louvain

80 METEO FRANCE | 2010 ANNUAL REPORT

Météo-France’s board of governors (on 31/12/2010) (Given as they appear in the Ofﬁ ce Journal)

REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE (INCUMBENTS) FUNCTIONS INSTITUTIONS

Fleet Vice-admiral Bernard ROGEL Deputy Chief-of-Staff of «Operations» - Operation Ministry of Defence -Defence Staff - Studies, Synthesis and General Planning Centre Management Division

Mr Georges-André MORIN General Council of agriculture, food and rural Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fishing areas – Directorate of rural areas and forests

Mr Pascal PERRAULT Budget Department Ministry of the Budget, Public Accounts and the Civil Service

Mr Philippe PUJES Head of the Special Institutions Department - Ministry of Higher Education and Research - Directorate General for SPFCO B4 Research and Innovation

Mr Laurent MICHEL Director General of Risk Prevention Ministry of the Ecology, Sustainable Development, Transport and Housing

The Prefect, Mr Alain PERRET Director of Defence and Civil Protection Ministry of Internal Affairs, Overseas territories and Territorial adminis- trations

Mr Maurice GEORGES Director of Air Navigation Services Ministry of the Ecology, Sustainable Development, Transport and Housing

Ms Michèle PAPPALARDO Commissioner General – General Commission Ministry of the Ecology, Sustainable Development, Transport and for Sustainable Development Housing

REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE (SUBSTITUTES) FUNCTIONS INSTITUTIONS

Colonel Danny LAUDE-BAZIN Head of the “Geography, hydrology, oceanogra- Ministry of Defence - Defence Staff phy and meteorology”

Ms Rosine TRAVERS Head of the Soil and Water Department Ministry of Agriculture and Fishing - General Directorate for Agricultural, Agro-food and Territorial Policy

Mr Olivier GIANNONI Budget Department Ministry of the Budget, Public Accounts and the Civil Service

Ms Anne-Marie LEVRAUT Directorate General for Risk Prevention Ministry of the Ecology, Sustainable Development, Transport and Housing

Mr Marc BELLOEIL Project Manager – Department of specialized Ministry of Higher Education and Research - Directorate General for organizations - SPFCO B4 Research and Innovation

Mr Bernard DELEPLANCQUE Deputy Director of Risk Management Ministry of Home Affairs and Overseas Territories - Directorate for Defence and Civil Protection

Currently being replaced Ministry of the Ecology, Sustainable Development, Transport and Housing

Ms Régine BREHIER Director of Research and Innovation Ministry of the Ecology, Sustainable Development, Transport and Housing

81 11 APPENDICES

QUALIFIED PERSONALITIES FUNCTIONS INSTITUTIONS

Mr François JACQ Chief Executive Ofﬁ cer Météo-France

Mr Laurent BARTHELEMY Director of Operations Control Air France

Mr Cyril ROGER-LACAN Vice-president of the Council, Master of requests Conseil d’État

Mr Jean-Yves PERROT Chief Executive Ofﬁ cer IFREMER

STAFF REPRESENTATIVES INSTITUTIONS STAFF REPRESENTATIVES (DEPUTIES) INSTITUTIONS (OFFICE HOLDERS)

Ms Lydie AUDONNET-FALGA Météo-France Mr Gérard REY Météo-France

Ms Christine BERNE Météo-France Mr José CHEVALIER Météo-France

Ms Sophie DESMARIEUX Météo-France Mr Lionel ALTHUSER Météo-France

Mr Ludovic MAGNOULOUX Météo-France Ms Cécile GUYON Météo-France

Mr Antoine LASSERRE-BIGORRY Météo-France Mr Gilbert GUYOMARCH Météo-France

Mr Serge TABOULOT Météo-France Mr Sylvain MONDON Météo-France

MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FUNCTIONS INSTITUTIONS

Mr Jean GANIAGE Financial Controller Ministry of the Ecology, Sustainable Development, Transport and Housing

Mr Christian MENOU Main Accountant Météo-France

Mr Alain RATIER Deputy Executive Ofﬁ cer Météo-France

Mr Claude DUÉE Deputy Executive Ofﬁ cer Météo-France

Ms Agnès MOUCHARD Company Secretary Météo-France

Mr Daniel ROUX Deputy Executive Ofﬁ cer Météo-France

82 METEO FRANCE | 2010 ANNUAL REPORT

The year in review

JANUARY tools, weather images of the current day, and European air crisis. As regards France, it a fi lm on climate change intended for the culminated on 18 April with the closure of MEGAPOLI 2 experiment general public. all airports for a few hours. Météo-France The MEGAPOLI 2 experiment, organised wi- supported the General Directorate for Civil thin the scope of a European FP7 MEGAPOLI Infl uence of weather on consumption Aviation (DGAC) in its management of air project, aims at providing a quantitative, Metnext and Nielsen launched the fi rst traffi c safety. complete and coherent description of megaci- platform to display indices measuring the in- ties’ impact on air quality and on troposphere fl uence of weather on consumption. The goal chemical composition. For almost one month, was to offer distributors and their suppliers MAY Météo-France/SAFIRE carried out pollution tools for improving their sales forecasts and measurements within a 100 km radius around prevent stock outages. A learning site devoted to teachers Paris. An educational website, devoted to teachers, Xynthia: a lethal storm was developed in partnership with the On 27 and 28 February, four Départements National Education Ministry and the National FEBRUARY were placed on red “violent winds” vigilance, Centre for Educational Documentation and 70 others were subjected to an orange (CNDP). Accessible from the home page of MOCAGE-Accident is operational vigilance. A severe storm, named Xynthia, the site www.meteofrance.com, it is adapted Developed to respond to environmental struck France. It produced a signifi cant to teaching curricula in meteorology and crises, this model enables the Toulouse increase in the sea level in conjunction with climate. Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC) to a strong high tide, causing exceptional storm monitor ashes emitted from volcanic surge fl ooding on the coasts of Vendée and Reward for the marine observation network eruptions. It is also used by the Specialised Charente-Maritime. In France, Xynthia was Météo-France awarded an Honour Diploma to Regional Meteorological Centre (SRMC) for the deadliest storm since those of December the crews of selected ships having performed Eco-emergencies to model the dispersion 1999. more than 750 marine observations in 2009. and deposits of pollutants released into the The network comprises 65 ships which, this atmosphere, from regional to continental year, sent a total of 182,079 atmospheric and global scales. MARCH (temperature, atmospheric pressure and humidity) and sea (surface temperature, Oli strikes French Polynesia A study of gust winds on Roissy airport waves, swells, sea conditions) observation After having reached the tropical storm stage Météo-France was requested to conduct a messages. on 3 February, Oli induced a very strong swell study intended to improve the description which hits the Tubuai island in the night and forecasting of gusting winds on the of 4 to 5 February. One person was carried Roissy-CDG Airport. The objective was to JUNE away by the waves and almost one third of identify the most protected areas suitable all inhabitants suffered losses. Oli is among for maintaining priority aviation activities The weather station locations the strongest tropical storms having affected when the “reference runway” wind exceeds on the Géoportail French Polynesia over the last 30 years. regulatory values. The weather station locations are now accessible on the Géoportail (a portal Allenvi: an alliance of research key players Tropical cyclone Tomas on Wallis and Futuna for territories and citizens) of the Creation of the National Alliance for On 15 March, Tomas, a category 4 tropical National Geographic Institute (IGN), at Environmental Research (ALLENVI) aimed at cyclone, strikes the north and east of Fiji www.geoportail.fr/visu2D.do?ter=metropole, organising a better synergy among the French Islands, in the South Pacifi c, and the Wallis under the tab “Atmospheric Conditions” research stakeholders on scientifi c issues and Futuna archipelago. It was accompanied and “Weather Stations”. related to food, water, climate and environ- by winds with an average speed of 175 km/h. ment. Météo-France is one of the 12 founder Tomas claimed ten victims: the damage was Exceptional precipitations organizations. signifi cant, especially on Futuna, where 70 to in the Var Département 80% of all food crops were destroyed. On 14 and 15 June, exceptional precipitations Inauguration of a new Weather fell over the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur exhibition centre region, and more particularly on the Var A new Weather exhibition Centre is inau- APRIL Département, which was placed on orange gurated as part of the renewed permanent vigilance. Locally, close to Draguignan, the exhibitions of the “Cité de l’Espace” in Highly disrupted air traffi c over Europe precipitation accumulations exceeded 350 Toulouse. It comprises a terrace on which On 14 April, on the Icelandic southern coast, mm. The catastrophic fl oods were caused meteorological instruments are exhibited, volcano Eyjafjöll began an eruption. During by runoff and overfl ows of the Nartuby and entertainment, interactive workshops, and an the day, ashes rose to 9,000 m and drifted Argens rivers. animation island presenting: the forecaster’s south-east. This was the beginning of a

83 11 APPENDICES

JULY Antarctica, within the scope of the internatio- war years and having left France in 1940. nal Concordiasi programme. With a total of 18 NOVEMBER Four scientists selected to contribute releases, the experiment objective is to ob- the 5th Report of the IPCC tain a better understanding of the Antarctica 2010 Cyclonex Exercise in French Polynesia Four Météo-France scientists were appointed climate and of the mechanisms causing The 2010 Cyclonex exercise, organised by by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate atmospheric ozone destruction. the High Commission for French Polynesia, Changes (IPCC) to participate in the drafting is intended to validate the future specialised of its fi fth report (AR5). Publication is planned Planet Solar: Around the world in a solar ship tropical cyclone emergency plan that will in several stages, between 2013 and 2014. Equipped with 537 m2 of photovoltaic solar become operational at the beginning of the panels and powered by solar energy, cata- 2011tropical cyclone season. A new site devoted to climate maran Planet Solar put out from the port of On its portal, Météo-France reinforces the Monaco for its fi rst round the world voyage. COP 16 in Cancùn visibility of climate related topics by creating The ship is routed by a team of Météo-France Participation of Météo-France in the 16th a new site, http://climat.meteofrance.com/, forecasters. A piece of software was specially Conference of the United Nations Framework which now includes: adapted to optimise the course depending on Agreement on Climate Change (COP 16) held – Climate statements and reports; the amount of sunlight available. in Cancún, Mexico, with the objective of – Annual and seasonal climate summaries; adopting measures regarding, in particular, – Educational packages on climate change 2010 Sustainable Development Trophy reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, pro- and future climates Météo-France received the 2010 tection of forests, and adaptation to climate Environmental Partnership prize for its change consequences. collaboration with Novea (express couriers AUGUST and freight). The institute was rewarded both for the quality of its forecasting integrated in DECEMBER Intense precipitations the Novea information system and for having over north-eastern France used bicycle couriers as a concern to eco- New Single Sky Certifi cate On 15 and 16 August, a perturbation as- responsibility. Météo-France’s Single Sky certifi cation was sociated with depression Yvette produced renewed on 1 December for a period of six exceptional precipitations over north-eas- years. tern France. A large number of records were OCTOBER broken. The consequences were limited, but Exceptional cold and snow many interventions were required from the Doc-Météo After a brief warm spell around 7 December, a emergency services, in particular in the Nord Implementation of a portal cold spell concerned most of mainland France and Aisne Départements. (http://doc-meteo.meteo.fr/) in order to for approximately 10 days, with temperatu- grant access to the Doc-Météo document res falling to -15 °C to -16 °C in some of the Earl and Fiona pass through the Antilles base, which comprises more than 200,000 regions. Three cold episodes accompanied On 29 August, Saint-Martin and Saint- articles and works in the fi elds of by frequent and sometimes abundant snow Barthélemy islands in the French Antilles meteorology, climatology and related precipitations characterised the last month of were placed on maximum (violet) hurricane sciences. It also contains, in their the year. In many regions, such snow condi- vigilance in expectation of the passage of unabridged version, a number of study tions had not been observed in December hurricane Earl. Strong swells and fl oods were reports, technical notes, articles and theses since at least 30 years, in particular in the recorded. After Earl, hurricane Fiona, of a produced by Météo-France divisions. Île-de-France region around Paris. lesser amplitude, fortunately showed less signifi cant impacts. «Public Data» portal Inauguration, on the site www.meteofrance.com, of a «Public Data» SEPTEMBER portal to give public access to information that is produced by Météo-France by Exceptional rain episode virtue of its public service mission. over south-east France In the night of 6 to 7 September, strong preci- Towards a second weather radar pitations ranged from the Gard Département on Reunion Island to the western Provence region, and The cornerstone was laid for the building that generated signifi cant accumulations: more will house the Piton Villers weather radar on than 300 mm in seven hours in Conqueyrac Reunion Island, a hydrological watch compo- (Gard) and more than 200 mm in four hours nent that is necessary to improve forecasting in Cavaillon (Vaucluse). On 7 September, the of strong rains and to better anticipate fl ood rains shifted towards the Cévennes and the occurrence, in particular on the southern part Ardèche Départements. The district of Cardet of the island. recorded 354.8 mm, almost half of its annual average rainfall. Observation books from the inter-war years A symbolic gesture characterised the Franco- Concordiasi: First balloon release, a success! German bilateral meeting: the DWD Chairman On 8 September, a fi rst stratospheric balloon delivered to the Météo-France Chairman and was released from the McMurdo base in CEO observation books dating from the inter-

84 www.meteofrance.com +33 177947111 Fax: Phone: +33 17794 France 94160 Saint-Mandé 73 avenue deParis After november 2011: +33 145 56 7111 Fax: Phone: +33 145 56 71 France 75340 Paris Cedex 7 1, quaiBranly Météo-France Frank Perry, P. Allard, Météo-France Credit for thephotographs onthecover Philippe Dos, Météo-France Design 2112-5511 ISSN: Copyright April2011 © Météo-France 2011 by Bureau Veritas Certiﬁcation Météo-France iscertiﬁ 9001 ed toISO labelled Imprim’vert®. by Météo-France D2C/IMP, Printed onecological paper, Annual Report 2010

Annual Report 2010 Rainage Rainage