On the integrity of the observational networks:

1. 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)

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”. 2013 COORDINATION MEETING OF DISASTER RISK REDUCTION

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4. 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 2013 COORDINATION MEETING OF DISASTER RISK REDUCTION

5. 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) 2013 COORDINATION MEETING OF DISASTER RISK REDUCTION

6. 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 2013 COORDINATION MEETING OF DISASTER RISK REDUCTION

7. 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 2013 COORDINATION MEETING OF DISASTER RISK REDUCTION

8. 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 2013 COORDINATION MEETING OF DISASTER RISK REDUCTION

9. 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 2013 COORDINATION MEETING OF DISASTER RISK REDUCTION

10. 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 2013 COORDINATION MEETING OF DISASTER RISK REDUCTION

11. 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) 2013 COORDINATION MEETING OF DISASTER RISK REDUCTION

12. 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) 2013 COORDINATION MEETING OF DISASTER RISK REDUCTION

13. 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 2013 COORDINATION MEETING OF DISASTER RISK REDUCTION

14. 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. 2013 COORDINATION MEETING OF DISASTER RISK REDUCTION

15. Possible CIMO Contributions, 2006, .. 2013 COORDINATION MEETING OF DISASTER RISK REDUCTION

16. Proposed CIMO Inter-Commission and WMO program Collaborations 2013 COORDINATION MEETING OF DISASTER RISK REDUCTION

17. In summary • 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 • Network design is not a CIMO matter, but observational data should be supplied by redundant composite observing systems 2013 COORDINATION MEETING OF DISASTER RISK REDUCTION

18. In summary (cont.) • 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. • No observation technologies are developed specific for DRR activities. It is supposed that the current WIGOS strategy will fulfill the requirements 2013 COORDINATION MEETING OF DISASTER RISK REDUCTION

19. Requested key issues for discussions: • 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 2013 COORDINATION MEETING OF DISASTER RISK REDUCTION

20. Requested key issues for discussions: 2) What are the relevant activities of your Technical Commissions work plan to development of guidelines, manuals and standards 2013 COORDINATION MEETING OF DISASTER RISK REDUCTION [CB1]Yes we may argue on ceilometer – lidar emasurements, I am pushing for an intercomaprison nof ceilometer to take place for the next intersession CIMO [CB2]Volcanic ash should as well be mentioned, and here again a CIMO ceilometer “perspective” is in the pipeline

21. Requested key issues for discussions: 3) Definition on hazards developed by the Technical Commissions • Not a CIMO issue 4) 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 activities 5) 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 Members 6) 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 Cg 7) 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 2013 COORDINATION MEETING OF DISASTER RISK REDUCTION

22. Thank you, Suggestions are welcome 2013 COORDINATION MEETING OF DISASTER RISK REDUCTION