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Program Management
The Atmospheric Observation Panel for Climate (AOPC) was established to define the requirements for meteorological observations for GCOS. AOPC is responsible for the planning and implementation of the GSN in cooperation with the World Weather Watch of the WMO.
Data Collection and Management
The data collected by the network of GSN stations is transmitted on the GTS in the form CLIMAT reports. The CLIMAT messages are sent monthly and contain averages of observed variables for the previous month.
Most climate related products produced by operational centers are based on the CLIMAT reports. The individual observations from the GSN stations are available for further detailed study and for later more rigorous quality control of the CLIMAT data. Meta data supporting the CLIMAT data are not transmitted on the GTS, but are made available to the final archives at a later date by the national collecting centers.
Selection of the GSN Stations
The initial selection of a GCOS surface network of approximately 800 stations from the existing 10,000 or so station is described in a study by Thomas Peterson, Harald Daan, and Philip Jones. Further work by the AOPC has produced a final list of stations. See the page on GSN observing requirements for further information. |
Users
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climate research, in particular climate change detection and attribution,
process studies and modeling,
weather and climate forecasting,
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policymaking and regulation of various weather and climate sensitive operations.
In particular, GCOS and its surface component serve to support the work of Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), and the implementation of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (FCCC).
Contact Information
Deutscher Wetterdienst
Udo Schneider
E-mail: Udo.Schneider@dwd.de
Japan Meteorological Agency
Hidehiko Isobe
GSN Monitoring Center & CBS Lead Center for GCOS Data
Climate Prediction Division
Global Environment and Marine Department
Japan Meteorological Agency
E-mail: climatemonitor@met.kishou.go.jp |
