ASPB and CIMSS Weekly Report [ Archive ]

IN THE PRESS:

ITEMS FOR THE ADMINISTRATOR:

ITEMS FOR THE ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATOR:

Integrated Global Observing Strategy Cryosphere Theme Report Published: The Integrated Global Observing Strategy (IGOS) Cryosphere Theme Report was published by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) this week. The report proposes an integrated observational strategy for snow, sea ice, freshwater ice, permafrost and seasonally frozen land, glaciers, ice sheets, ice caps, and solid precipitation using satellites, airborne, and in situ measurements. The report was compiled based on input from cryospheric scientists in 17 countries and through workshops held in Canada, Japan, and the Netherlands over the last three years. An electronic version of the report is available at http://igos-cryosphere.org; printed copies will be available on request in mid-December. (J. Key, E/RA2, 608-263-2605, jeff.key@noaa.gov)

Significance: The Group on Earth Observations (GEO) Framework Document, 2004, states that the design approach for the Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS) builds on existing systems and data, as well as existing documentation describing observational needs in these areas. The IGOS Theme Reports play a primary role in this regard, as indicated in the GEO 2005 10-Year GEOSS implementation plan: "An integrated observation strategy (i.e. one that is coordinated, co-designed and shares data) is both more effective and more efficient than stand-alone strategies. This principle is exemplified by the work of the Integrated Global Observing Strategy Partnership (IGOS-P)". The IGOS Cryosphere Theme will help define an integrated, coordinated, global observing strategy for the cryosphere. The GEOSS implementation plan reference document further recommends to "Support implementation of actions called for in GCOS Implementation Plan and the relevant IGOS-P Theme Reports". IGOS is now in the process of transitioning its themes to the GEO/GEOSS framework. Vice Admiral (Ret.) Lautenbacher is a GEO co-chair.

NOAA Mission Goals: Understand Climate Variability and Change; Serve Society's Needs for Weather and Water Information; Support the Nation's Commerce

NOAA Cross-Cutting Priorities: Sound, Reliable State-of-the-Art Research; Integrating Global Environmental Observations and Data Management 

ITEMS FOR THE OFFICE DIRECTOR, STAR:

VISITview Software Funding from EUMETSAT: The European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT) has agreed to fund development of extensions to the VISITview teletraining software that has been developed by the Virtual Institute for Satellite Integration Training (VISIT) program at the Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS). This grant will be used to enable internationalization of labels and choices, and to provide better usability in other countries to better support of EUMETSAT and World Meteorological Organization (WMO) activities in the future. Under the agreement, these extensions will also be made available to all users of the VISITview package, including the National Weather Service (NWS). The grant period is until September, 2008. (T. Whittaker, CIMSS, 608-262-2759)

Paper Published on State and Fate of the Cryosphere: A paper titled "State and fate of the polar cryosphere, including variability of the Arctic hydrological cycle" was published in the World Meteorological Organization Bulletin (v56(4), 284-292, October 2007). The paper discusses the observing systems for the cryosphere and the legacy of the International Polar Year. (J. Key, E/RA2, 608-263-2605, jkey@ssec.wisc.edu)

ITEMS FOR THE DIVISION CHIEF, CoRP:

Other Meetings and Telecons:

None.

VISITORS:

NEXT WEEK:

Remote Sensing Workshop in Brazil: Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS) and NESDIS scientists (T. Schmit and G. Wade) will participate in the GEOSS Americas/Caribbean Remote Sensing Workshop in Cachoeira Paulista, São Paulo, Brazil. Presentations to be given by Wade and Schmit during the week-long workshop include topics such as: Fundamental of Remote Sensing, a overview of NOAA Geo Program, an Introduction to Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES)-10 (Instruments, Products and eXtended GOES High-Inclination (XGOHI)), GOES-10 Sounder II and Future GOES Systems. In addition to these lectures, there will be two hands-on laboratory exercises that include weighting functions, brightness temperature transects and a case study on the GOES-10 Sounder. Participates hail from Argentina, Brazil, Bolívia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Equador, México, Paraguai, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela. (T. Schmit, E/RA2, 608-263-0291, tim.j.schmit@noaa.gov, G.S. Wade, E/RA2, 608-263-4743, gary.s.wade@noaa.gov)

IGOS and GEO Meetings in Cape Town: J. Key will attend the 14th business meeting of the Integrated Global Observing Strategy (IGOS) Partners, the Group on Earth Observations (GEO) User Interface Committee meeting, and the GEO Plenary meeting in Cape Town, South Africa November 27-30, 2007. Key will represent the IGOS Cryosphere Theme. (J. Key, E/RA2, 608-263-2605, jkey@ssec.wisc.edu)

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