on the integrity of the observational networks:

Mandates and Relevant Activities of the Commission on Instruments and Methods of Observation for

Development of Guidelines, Manuals and Standards for Monitoring, Detection, Development of Databases,

Metadata and Hazard Analysis to Support Risk Assessment

2013 COORDINATION MEETING OF DISASTER RISK REDUCTION FOCAL POINTS OF TECHNICAL

COMMISSIONS AND PROGRAMMES(Jitze van der Meulen, CIMO MG)

2013 COORDINATION MEETING OF DISASTER RISK REDUCTION 2013-10-14 2

On the integrity of the observational networks:

“Every day, at any hour of the day, it monitors hazards and disseminates relevant information.Up-to-the-minute satellite images and coordinated scientific assessments alert the public at risk as well as leaders in the public and private sectors to imminent hazards, whether they are floods or droughts, blasting sand storms or creeping temperature. WMO will work with its partners to ensure that the contents and formats of its hazard monitoring datasets optimally match those needed in risk assessment modeling”.


Availability of observations: “////// or 9999 or 93,4 m/s?”

• To support forecasts, warnings for expected Hazards

• To continue during and after a Hazard

Availability to be guaranteed, also after a hazard

• Necessary for nowcasting the weather to help rescue teams

• So not only for adequate forecasting hazardous events


Availability of observations: “////// or 9999 or 2345?”

Typical constraints and requirements:• stable, reliable instruments and systems• designed to withstands the extreme

environmental impacts to be expected• well maintained, inspected and managed• integrated in a network, with sufficient

redundancy and back-up

how? See CIMO Guide (WMO-No. 8)


Availability of observations: “////// or 9999 or 2345?”

Apart from well designed, sited and maintained instruments and systems, it requires• well defined and designed communication• sustainable communication, to be redundant• alternative communication lines, for back-up

Note: observational networks and ICT communication are not a typical CIMO responsibility


Sustainability of measurements and reports(land and ocean)

(impact of hazards on hydro-meteo measurements)

• high wind impacts: storms, hurricanes, tornados• high precipitation impacts: flooding, water resistant • lightning impact• dust storm impact: build up of dusk and sand to stop

moving parts• icing, hail and severe snowfall impact: destruction,

blocking moving parts, unreliable measurements • manned stations: unavailability of observers and data

managers during hazards


Structure of CIMOInstruments and Methods of Observation Programme

• OPAG Standardization and Intercomparisons- in-situ (surface and upper-air): developments, standardization, guidance

• OPAG Remote-Sensing and New Technologies- ground based remote sensing: developments, standardization, guidance

• OPAG Capacity Building - surface and space based: capacity building (training), technology transfer (TECO), documentation


Role of CIMOInstruments and Methods of Observation Programme

• CIMO will provide guidance and recommended practices (standards) on instruments an methods of observation, to be used by all other WMO Programmes

• CIMO will not state the specific requirements on data quality, but inform on the state of the art and what is feasible based on requirements defined by the other TCs

• CIMO is pro-active and helpful to define requirements


Position of CIMO (1)• to serve all other programmes (or TCs), not only WWW,

with guidance• will not state requirements on the quality of observations

(the user should do)• will promote and guide recommended methods for reliable

measuring techniques• will produce standards on observation and measurements

techniques • will advice of the feasibility of merriments in reply to users’

requirements• stimulates the establishment of regional instrument centres

to support national services• will organize international instrument intercomparisons to

demonstrate the feasibility of specific instruments, the techniques involved


Position of CIMO (2)• will inform on the current state of measurement technology

and indicate performance improvement• stimulates technology knowledge transfer by frequently

organized Technical Conferences (TECO) and workshops to train instrumentalists

• publication for hydro-meteo services and the general public of IOM reports and CIMO Guide.

• co-operates with industry (HMEI) on further improvements.• Stimulates Members’ awareness to improve the quality of

observations• Co-operates with other standardization organizations to

develop standards (e.g. ISO on Hydrometry, Air Quality, Radiation)


Items, from the past

• Coastal zone natural hazards (tsunamis): evaluating sensors for early warning systems

Ray Canterford (Australia): “This has assisted in promoting the CIMO role in Deep Ocean and sea level instrumentation and the CBS role in the GTS. We in WMO need to establish effective tsunami early warning systems within a multi-hazard framework, particularly related to national multi-hazards alert and response mechanisms.”

• flooding: precipitation intensities measuring devices for high RI (2000 mm/hr)

• droughts: ground humidity, measuring very low concentrations is still a challenge (but satellite data is very useful)


Some history, CIMO-2002 session

Focus on coastal zone natural hazards• CIMO agreed the process of risk assessment and mitigation

required the development of:• An efficient and robust early warning system• A fast and reliable data and information dissemination system• A study of pre-disaster hazards, vulnerability and risk

assessment inventories• An efficient post-disaster management and recovery strategy• A high level of public awareness

Focal points:• Integration of in-situ (land and ocean), satellite data and NWP• Development and use of appropriate GIS system


Some history, CIMO-2006 session

Critical role of CIMO in the WMO DPM Programme through the provision of: • Instrument and observing system specifications to meet requirements for

the accurate and traceable measurement of meteorological, related geophysical and environmental variables, taking into account both experience and new developments for hazard monitoring and detection;

• Support of the CIMO Coordinator for DPM in identifying how surface-based technologies can support natural hazard monitoring activities;

• Encouragement to the instrument manufacturers to develop more robust instruments with greater resilience to extreme weather condition and with increased measuring range;

• Guidance on use of instruments in harsh atmospheric conditions.

Develop a joint plan for:• Development of guidelines detailing the TOR of expert missions to the

NMHSs to assist with the development of modernization plans for observing systems;

• Development of training modules for these experts on how to undertake these missions.


Possible CIMO Contributions, 2006, ..

Enhancement and utilisation of NMHSs products and services indecision-making processes through cooperation with other agencies

CIMO OPAGs

CIMO ContributionsProject areas of DPM

AllCIMO supports public outreach by assisting NMHSs in providing greater public understanding of how instruments and systems perform in monitoring of hazards

Public outreach programmes and materials

AllOur primary stakeholders are NMHSs and we provide training and prepare guidelines for maintaining optimum instrument performance

Education and training programmes with stakeholders (risk management authorities, emergency operators, media)

AllIdentify, develop, and certify sustainable instruments based on user identified needs and requirements

Meteorological services for pre- and post-disaster response and relief operations

All• Develop guidelines for the operation and calibration of instruments used in monitoring and detection hazards.

• Work with Industry in developing robust instruments able to sustain severe natural hazard events and harsh environments.

Operational hazard early detection and warnings (next hour to longer climate timeframes)

AllContribute to hazard monitoring by insuring performance of instruments through proper maintenance and calibration. Data quality is paramount to a quality historical data base

Hazard monitoring, databases and analysis => Risk Identification (historical and forward looking analysis of trends)

AllProviding guidance needed to insure sustainable and high performing monitoring instruments & networks

Mainstreaming NMHS services in national disaster risk management plans

Enhancement and utilisation of NMHSs products and services indecision-making processes through cooperation with other agencies

CIMO OPAGs

CIMO ContributionsProject areas of DPM

AllCIMO supports public outreach by assisting NMHSs in providing greater public understanding of how instruments and systems perform in monitoring of hazards

Public outreach programmes and materials

AllOur primary stakeholders are NMHSs and we provide training and prepare guidelines for maintaining optimum instrument performance

Education and training programmes with stakeholders (risk management authorities, emergency operators, media)

AllIdentify, develop, and certify sustainable instruments based on user identified needs and requirements

Meteorological services for pre- and post-disaster response and relief operations

All• Develop guidelines for the operation and calibration of instruments used in monitoring and detection hazards.

• Work with Industry in developing robust instruments able to sustain severe natural hazard events and harsh environments.

Operational hazard early detection and warnings (next hour to longer climate timeframes)

AllContribute to hazard monitoring by insuring performance of instruments through proper maintenance and calibration. Data quality is paramount to a quality historical data base

Hazard monitoring, databases and analysis => Risk Identification (historical and forward looking analysis of trends)

AllProviding guidance needed to insure sustainable and high performing monitoring instruments & networks

Mainstreaming NMHS services in national disaster risk management plans


Proposed CIMO Inter-Commission and WMO program Collaborations

WWW-CBS • Develop guidelines for future observing instruments & systems • Enhancement of Regional Instrument Centers• Support Evolution of the Global Observing System• Identify & validate performance of interoperable instruments & systems• Standardization of instruments and platforms where feasible• Standardization of Codes• Assist NMHSs in optimizing their hazards monitoring capabilities

CCl, CAgM, CHy, CAgM, and JCOMM

• Assist in eliminating the gaps between manual and automatic monitoring systems • Validate Performance of Next Generation of Instruments• Develop Guidelines for Future Observing Systems • Validate Performance of the Next Generation of Instruments

CAS • Assist in developing guidelines and procedures for taking atmospheric composition measurements; monitoring UV Radiation, ozone and other gases and particulates

GCOS • Assist in preparing guidelines for the development of the future Global Reference Upper-air Network (GRUAN)

• Involving Regional Instrument Centers in assisting the GUAN and GSN networks in maintenance and calibration activities


In summary

1. Guidelines are available on design, use, siting, maintenance of instruments in general, inclusive advices for obsevations in severe environments

– the most weakest chains are: (1) maintenance and inspection(2) functional specs not covered

2. Network design is not a CIMO matter, but observational data should be supplied by redundant composite observing systems


In summary (cont.)

3. Guidelines on Observations and Measurements are developed in line with defined and accepted ranges, i.e. not typically for very extreme events, outside these ranges.

4. No observation technologies are developed specific for DRR activities. It is supposed that the current WIGOS strategy will fulfill the requirements


1) Mandate of Technical Commission related to the priority hazards (listed in the questionnaire for the TCs), development of definition, guidelines, manuals and standards for observing networks, historical and real-time data management systems (data, metadata, quality assurance practices), statistical analysis, now–casting and forecasting and projections in context of climate scenarios for hazards (short weatherto long-term climate time lead times)?

• Guidance, also for measurements in harsh environments• Training, stimulating awareness on maintenance (active in

capacity building)• Instrument intercomparisons to demonstrate capabilities

Requested key issues for discussions:



2) What are the relevant activities of your Technical Commissions work plan to development of guidelines, manuals and standards

HAZARD

Drought NO

Flash and river floods NO

Strong winds YES

Tornado (rotational high winds)

NO

Hailstorm YES

Thunderstorm or lightning YES

Heavy snow YES

Freezing rain YES

Dense fog YES

Tropical cyclone NO

Storm surge NO

Coastal flooding NO*

HAZARD

Heat/Cold wave: period of abnormally temperatures NO*

River flooding NO

Marine hazards (storm, sea ice, icebergs, etc.) YES

Sand and dust storms NO*

Landslide or mudslide NO

Airborne hazardous substances NO*

Waterborne hazards NO

Desert locust swarm NO

Hydrometeorological hazards to aviation (turb.,icing) YES

Avalanche NO

Forest or wild land fire NO

Smoke, Dust or Haze NO*

Tsunami YES

Rapid melting of glaciers NO


3) Definition on hazards developed by the Technical Commissions • Not a CIMO issue4) Are there a list of existing guidelines, manuals and standards relevant to the

objectives of this initiative developed in your commission, for what specific application (research, forecasting)?

• Guidance for measurements in harsh environmental conditions • Most material is implicitly related to weather extremes• No observations technologies explicitly developed for DRR activities5) Through what process you identify needs and requirements of new users (in this case

the risk assessment and risk analysis community) to guide development of guidelines, manuals and standards in your commission?

• Via DRR or own CIMO Members6) What are the intra- and inter-commission mechanisms for development of guidelines,

manuals and standards that are relevant to the objectives of this initiative? • Most input from CIMO Members• From IPT, DRR, EC and Cg7) Are the experts with hand-on experience in disaster risk assessment and risk analysis

engaged in your Technical Commissions? To what extend you have already, or can engage new representatives from the user community (in this case experts from risk community) in the process of identification of requirements?

• Experts on observations in extreme environments



Thank you,Suggestions are welcome

on the integrity of the observational networks:

Documents