ams2009scm-01-Carbone
- 1. Observing Weather and ClimateFROM THE GROUND UPA Nationwide Network of NetworksR. E. Carbone10 August 2009AMS Summer Community MeetingWeather and Climate Enterprise Commission1
- 2. Committee on Developing Mesoscale Meteorological Observational Capabilities to Meet Multiple National Needs.Sponsors: NOAA, NASA, EPA, DOT, DHS, OFCMRICHARD E. (RIT) CARBONE (Chair) NCAR, Boulder, CO JAMES BLOCK DTN/Meteorlogix, Minneapolis, MNS. EDWARD BOSELLY Weather Solutions Group, Olympia, WAGREGORY R. CARMICHAEL University of Iowa, Iowa CityFREDERICK H. CARR University of Oklahoma, NormanV. (CHANDRA) CHANDRASEKAR Colorado State University, Fort CollinsEVE GRUNTFESTNCAR, Boulder, CO Liaison:Walter F. DabberdtBoard of Atmospheric Sciences and ClimateNRC Staff:CURTIS MARSHALL Senior Program OfficerROB GREENWAY, Senior Program AssistantRAYMOND M. HOFF University of Maryland Baltimore Co.WITOLD F. KRAJEWSKIUniversity of Iowa, Iowa CityMARGARET A. LEMONENCAR, Boulder, COJAMES F.W. PURDOMColorado State University, Fort CollinsTHOMAS W. SCHLATTERUniversity of Colorado, BoulderEUGENE S. TAKLEIowa State University, AmesJAY TITLOWWeatherflow, Inc., Poquoson, VA2
- 3. Study Tasks, Goals, FociDevelop an “overarching vision” for an integrated, flexible, adaptive, and multi-purpose networkWe did not engage in network design.Focus on requirements for the United States and adjacent coastal zonesEmphasize the planetary boundary layer (~2 meters below the surface to 2-3 km above)Identify steps to develop a network that meets “multiple national needs” in a cost-effective manner.3
- 4. Multiple National NeedsWe framed the whole study around major applications.Health and SafetyTransportationFood and WaterEnergy Security4
- 5. How should we define mesoscale observations?*Those that resolvemesoscale structure and detect events?Those that enable dynamical prediction?Non-meteorologicalobs having influence on weather?Environmental conditionsinfluenced by weather?All of the above.Which raises the bar considerably*In the context of satellites and the global obs system
- 6. Diverse Playersenergetic and chaoticComplexWidely vestedDriven by local market forcesCountless Users and UsesThousands of providers17 Federal AgenciesMultiple Agencies in all StatesMunicipalitiesWater DistrictsVarious Local AuthoritiesAgricultural ProducersFortune 500 CorporationsCountless small businessesUniversities, Research LabsK-12 SchoolsEnthusiasts and hobbyists6
- 7. Current Statusenergetic and chaoticWeaknessesMostly locally drivenLacking a national strategyDisparate systemsSingle applicationUnknown exposuresUnknown standards Various comms protocolsA condition of “false sparsity”Spatial gaps and sensor gaps Soil moistureOklahoma, “gold Standard” or “lunatic fringe” ??Strengthsdense surface networksresponsive to local needsgrass roots participationnear population centersregional collectives Few vertical profilesIncreased coordination is indicated.
- 8. What’s needed to improve functionality and increase benefits to the nation?Provide an organizational framework for coordination, integration and interoperabilityMake far better use of what we have to satisfy multiple national applicationsAugment current observations in the strategic gaps identified8
- 9. A ChallengeTo preserve and enhance the rich diversity of investment (mainly motivated by unique local interests) While also introducing sufficient coordinationTo realize increased benefits for multiple national needs.9
- 10. What Observations are Needed?And what enhancements do these infer?Basic Infrastructure to Monitor and Predict Mesoscale WeatherEnergy SecurityPublic Health and SafetyTransportation Water Resources and Food ProductionWe looked for “common threads” among these.We also discussed the benefits to be derived for and from research.
- 11. A Phenomenological Approach was used for core weather monitoring and prediction components
- 12. Common ThreadsXimportant gaps may exist; so inadequate that no network can be said to exist.
- 13. Inferred Priorities from Common Threads MOST NEEDED:Profile Data Height and structure of the PBL
- 14. Soil moisture and temperature profiles
- 15. High resolution vertical profiles of humidity
- 16. ABOVE THE SURFACE LAYER: carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, ozone, and particulate matter NEEDED:Direct and diffuse radiation
- 17. High vertical resolution profiles of wind and temperature
- 18. Sub-surface temperature profiles (e.g., under pavement)
- 19. Icing near the surface
- 20. Surface turbulence parametersUrban, Coastal and Mountainous Regions have added complexity, increased societal impact, and are especially in need of augmentation. 13
- 21. The VisionTo create the network of our dreams…A Network of Networks (NoN), serving multiple applications, jointly provided and used by government, industry, academia and the public.NoN could be enabled to dynamically configure customized networks….. As specified by the users themselves.Albeit at different levels of effectiveness, this can be implemented with or without additional observing systems.
- 22. Steps to Ensure Progress 15
- 23. Key Attributes of an Idealized NoNStability and ContinuityIncentives to Participate Metadata, Metadata, MetadataAccess to More and Better Data Establish and protect data/IP rightsRolling review of societal needs, gaps, requirementsFlexibility to evolve and adapt to new conditions across sectorsA local presence for regular contact with providers and stakeholders16
- 24. Essential Core ServicesWe recommend 13 enabling services: Expert assistance and monetary incentives to maintain standardsKnowledge of data available and suitable to one’s own applicationEase of access to custom-configured sets of observations/analyses Archival of data commensurate with useful lifetimes Economy of access to products and services from other providersThe importance of extensive metadata is absolutely critical to the effectiveness of an NoN. 17 categories of metadata are defined
- 25. Organizational Model OptionsPublicly Chartered, Private Non-Profit Corporation
- 26. Privately Chartered Non-Profit Corporation (501c3 – e.g., ESIP)
- 27. Confederation of Federal Agencies
- 28. Seeded Viral NoNx Lead Federal AgencyX Multi-level Government Confederation x Government-Industry Confederationx Private For-Profit Corporation We have assumed it is necessary and desirable to engage the full breadth of the mesoscale observations enterprise.18
- 29. We highlighted this option A hybrid“Corporation for Environmental Monitoring”To provide 13 “essential core services”Does not own or operate individual networks. An enabling entity that comes into play only insofar as is necessary to realize the added utility and functionality of an NoN.A minimum degree of centralization for coordination and interoperability.Able to receive and transfer funds from all entities, including Congress.A relatively small but vital fraction of the public-private enterprise. 19
- 30. Convene the Stakeholders Stakeholders, including all levels of government, various private sector interests, and academia should collectively develop and implement a plan for achieving and sustaining a mesoscale observing system to meet multiple national needs.a summit to achieve “buy-in”, followed by numerous professional/technical forums…..20
- 31. End User Assessment The stakeholders should commission an independent team of social and physical scientists to conduct end user assessments for selected sectors. current use and value in decision-making; anticipated added value associated with proposed new observations periodic assessments of the societal impact and its valueThis is envisioned as an ongoing and recurring activity.21
- 32. A Multi-faceted Relationship to ResearchAs users for the conduct of research leverages a national backbone, lower cost, better experiments everywhereAs providers of data to the broader NoN improved analyses, “testbeds” to assess the utility of added observations As developers of advanced technologies opportunity to investigate and demonstrate their potential use and valueThe opportunities may be especially ripe for biosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere interactions (e.g. CASA, NEON, CUASHI).22
- 33. Take Home Message We have a dream: A NoN that is dynamically user-configurable and interoperable.Participating organizations serve only their own mission, while their contributions are enabled to serve multiple national needs.The organization should mirror the stakeholders themselves, being similarly adept and responsive to large agencies, academia, major corporations, local districts, small businesses and volunteers.The most formidable challenge before us is to assemble this grand alliance!23
- 34. Questions? Comments?Committee on Developing Mesoscale Meteorological Observational Capabilities to Meet Multiple National Needs. Irvine, CA, February 2008. Photo courtesy of Peggy LeMone.