Expressions of Intent for IPY 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Atmospheric Data Assimilation and Targeting in Polar Regions at ECMWF  (ECMWF)

Outline
The European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) is a leading international organization supported by 25 Member and Cooperating States. Its missions are to develop models and data assimilation for the Earth system and to issue regular numerical forecasts for various lead times: 10 days, one month, six months. ECMWF is very much interested to use any significant set of special atmospheric observations performed in the frame of the IPY to improve its analyses of the atmospheric state (pressure, temperature, moisture, wind, and atmospheric composition). ECMWF can provide real time analyses and forecasts in support to all operations of IPY. ECMWF would welcome coordination of its activities in support of IPY under a THORPEX frame if so decided by the IPY/JC The most relevant areas of activities are currently deemed to be the following: - Research on assimilation of satellite data over sea-ice and snow surfaces. The emmissivity of these surfaces need to be parametrized accurately in order to extract information from satellite data. It is expected that special in situ atmospheric observations performed by other institutes during IPY may serve to improve existing parametrization. We will join efforts of other partners to assimilate satellite data with the help of in situ observations, such as radio-soundings in polar regions. - Research on meteorological observation targeting in polar regions. In recent years, ECMWF has developed a targeting system to determine in real time the location and nature of additional observations that offer the greatest potential to influence the forecast. We will offer to contribute sensible area predictions to projects on the atmosphere dynamics under IPY. - research on the chemistry of ozone in polar regions. We can contribute analyses and forecasts of the 3D ozone field and would be interested to use in situ validation data. - Workshop: we would be interested to organize a workshop on the meteorolgy of polar regions in the 2007-2008 time frame

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
Better knowledge of the atmosphere in polar regions (atmospheric composition, pressure, temperature, humidity, clouds, wind)

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
The participation of ECMWF should be coordinated through the THORPEX international project, involving a large number of countries, and having its own structure of committees.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Polar regions in a large sense, with preferences for snow and sea-ice surfaces

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: all periods            
Antarctic: all periods            

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
We do not request special facilities but will try to take advantage of any special measurements taken by partners

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
improvements to our data assimilation system and to our observations targeting system will probably be reached during the course of this work. These improvement will remain as a legacy of the project and would allow better use of routine data without the support of the additional data of IPY. On the other hand, any infrastructure legacy of IPY could be used on a permanent basis in our centre

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?

N/A

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
Participation of ECMWF has been agreed in principle

PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND STRUCTURE

Is the project a short-term expansion (over the IPY 2007-2008 timeframe) of an existing plan, programme or initiative or is it a new autonomous proposal?
Exp

How will the project be organised and managed?
will be discussed with THORPEX component

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
plans to organize a workshop on meteorology in polar areas in the 2007-2008 frame

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document)?
data management issues should follow WMO resolution 40

How is it proposed to fund the project?
internal funding

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr Philippe Bougeault
ECMWF
Shinfield Park
Reading
RG2 9AX
UK

Tel: 44 118 9499 005
Mobile:
Fax:
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation

Other Information