Guide to the Global Observing System 2010 edition Updated in 2017 WEATHER CLIMATE WATER CLIMATE WEATHER WMO-No. 488 Guide to the Global Observing System 2010 edition Updated in 2017 WMO-No. 488 EDITORIAL NOTE METEOTERM, the WMO terminology database, may be consulted at http://public.wmo.int/en/ resources/meteoterm. Readers who copy hyperlinks by selecting them in the text should be aware that additional spaces may appear immediately following http://, https://, ftp://, mailto:, and after slashes (/), dashes (-), periods (.) and unbroken sequences of characters (letters and numbers). These spaces should be removed from the pasted URL. The correct URL is displayed when hovering over the link or when clicking on the link and then copying it from the browser. WMO-No. 488 © World Meteorological Organization, 2010 The right of publication in print, electronic and any other form and in any language is reserved by WMO. Short extracts from WMO publications may be reproduced without authorization, provided that the complete source is clearly indicated. Editorial correspondence and requests to publish, reproduce or translate this publication in part or in whole should be addressed to: Chairperson, Publications Board World Meteorological Organization (WMO) 7 bis, avenue de la Paix Tel.: +41 (0) 22 730 84 03 P.O. Box 2300 Fax: +41 (0) 22 730 81 17 CH-1211 Geneva 2, Switzerland Email: [email protected] ISBN 978-92-63-10488-5 NOTE The designations employed in WMO publications and the presentation of material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of WMO concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. The mention of specific companies or products does not imply that they are endorsed or recommended by WMO in preference to others of a similar nature which are not mentioned or advertised. PUBLICATION REVISION TRACK RECORD Part/chapter/ Date Purpose of amendment Proposed by Approved by section July Part III, Modification to 3.2.1.2.6 – Station CBS-Ext. (06) Resolution 10 2012 section 3.2, identification, subparagraphs (b) and and EC-LIX (EC-LIX) 3.2.1.2.6 (c), to make consistent with the Manual on the Global Observing System (WMO- No. 544) following Recommendation 1 (CBS-Ext.(06)) and approval by the Executive Council at its fifty-ninth session. May Part III, Revised functional specifications for CBS-15 and Resolution 10 2013 Appendix III.1 automatic weather stations, following EC5 -6 (EC-65) Recommendation 2 (CBS-15) and approval by the Executive Council at its sixty-fifth session October Part III, Previous 3.2.1.3.3.2 and 3.2.1.3.3.3: President of CBS Resolution 3 2017 section 3.2, deleted (EC-69) 3.2.1.2.6, 3.2.1.3.3.1, Previous 3.2.1.3.4 is now 3.2.1.3.3.2 3.2.1.3.3.2, 3.2.1.3.3.3, Changes required to include new 3.2.1.3.4; guidance material in accordance with New section Recommendation 4 (CBS-16) 3.4; New Appendix III.4 CONTENTS Page INTRODUCTION . 1 PART I . PURPOSE, SCOPE, REQUIREMENTS AND ORGANIZATION OF THE GLOBAL OBSERVING SYSTEM . 4 1.1 Purpose and scope of the Global Observing System .............................. 4 1.2 Global Observing System requirements ......................................... 4 1.3 Organization and Implementation of the Global Observing System ................. 5 PART II . OBSERVATIONAL DATA REQUIREMENTS . 7 2.1. General .................................................................... 7 2.2 Assessment and formulation of observational data requirements ................... 8 2.2.1 Data sensitivity tests or observing system experiments ...................... 8 2.2.2 Observing system simulation experiments ................................ 8 2.2.3 Theoretical studies and simulations ....................................... 9 2.2.4 Laboratory assessments ................................................ 9 2.2.5 System design and analysis activities ..................................... 9 2.2.6 Field site assessments .................................................. 9 2.2.7 End-user application areas .............................................. 9 2.3 Evaluation of requirements against system capabilities ............................ 10 2.3.1 The Rolling Requirements Review process ................................. 10 2.3.2 User requirements and observing system capabilities database ............... 11 2.3.2.1 User requirements ............................................ 11 2.3.2.2 Observing system capabilities .................................. 12 2.3.3 The Critical Review. 12 2.3.4 Statements of Guidance ................................................ 13 2.4 Network design and national requirements ..................................... 13 2.5 Evolution of the Global Observing System ....................................... 13 References ................................................................. 14 APPENDIX II 1. EXTRACT FROM USER REQUIREMENTS AND OBSERVING SYSTEM CAPABILITIES DATABASE – EXAMPLE OF GLOBAL NUMERICAL WEATHER PREDICTION REQUIREMENTS FOR SOME VARIABLES . 15 APPENDIX II .2 . OUTCOME OF THE ROLLING REQUIREMENTS REVIEW PROCESS: EXAMPLES . 16 PART III . THE SURFACE-BASED SUBSYSTEM . 18 3.1 General .................................................................... 18 3.1.1 Design of observational networks ........................................ 18 3.1.2 Planning of networks and stations ........................................ 19 3.1.3 Management of manned station networks ................................ 21 3.1.3.1 General ..................................................... 21 3.1.3.2 Organization of the station network management unit ............. 21 3.1.3.3 Administrative arrangements. 22 3.1.3.4 Station network management unit staff .......................... 22 3.1.3.5 Station network management unit operational tasks ............... 22 3.1.3.6 Logistics and supplies. 23 3.1.3.7 Establishment of a new station ................................. 24 3.1.3.8 Regular inspections. 24 3.1.3.9 Other station network management unit activities ................. 25 3.1.3.10 Procurement of instruments and equipment ...................... 25 3.1.3.11 Instrument checks and maintenance ............................ 26 3.1.3.12 Coordination ................................................ 26 vi GUIDE TO THE GLOBAL OBSERVING SYSTEM Page 3.1.3.13 Planning and budgeting ...................................... 26 3.1.3.14 Network performance monitoring .............................. 26 3.1.4 Management of automatic surface land station networks .................... 27 3.1.4.1 General ..................................................... 27 3.1.4.2 Administrative arrangements. 27 3.1.4.3 Operational tasks of the automatic station network supervising unit .. 27 3.2 Surface synoptic stations ..................................................... 28 3.2.1 Organizational aspects ................................................. 28 3.2.1.1 General ..................................................... 28 3.2.1.2 Land stations ................................................ 29 3.2.1.3 Sea stations .................................................. 33 3.2.1.4 Automatic stations. 39 3.2.2 Observations/measurements ............................................ 53 3.2.2.1 General ..................................................... 53 3.2.2.2 Observations at land stations. 53 3.2.2.3 Observations at sea stations. 60 3.3 Upper-air stations ........................................................... 66 3.3.1 Organizational aspects ................................................. 66 3.3.1.1 Site selection ................................................ 66 3.3.1.2 Planning of facilities .......................................... 68 3.3.1.3 Organization of the upper-air unit .............................. 70 3.3.1.4 Archiving data and maintenance of records. 70 3.3.1.5 Communications. 70 3.3.1.6 Personnel ................................................... 71 3.3.1.7 Training ..................................................... 74 3.3.1.8 Quality standards ............................................ 74 3.3.2 Observations/measurements ............................................ 74 3.3.2.1 General ..................................................... 74 3.3.2.2 Pilot-balloon observations ..................................... 74 3.3.2.3 Radiosonde observations ...................................... 75 3.3.2.4 Radiowind observations. 75 3.3.2.5 Rawinsonde observations. 76 3.3.2.6 Combined radiosonde and radiowind observations. 76 3.3.2.7 Aerological soundings using automated shipboard or land- based upper-air systems. 76 3.3.2.8 Upper-air systems ............................................ 77 3.3.2.9 Observational requirements. 81 3.3.3 Special management considerations ...................................... 82 3.3.3.1 General ..................................................... 82 3.3.3.2 Procurement of instruments and equipment ...................... 82 3.3.3.3 Maintenance ................................................ 83 3.3.3.4 Budgetary requirements. 83 3.4 Aircraft meteorological stations ................................................ 84 3.5 Aeronautical meteorological stations ........................................... 84 3.5.1 General .............................................................. 84 3.5.2 Instrumentation ....................................................... 85 3.5.3 Location of meteorological stations and instruments .......................