The Global Ocean Data Assimilation Experiment The History

1. The Global Ocean Data Assimilation ExperimentThe History Neville SMITH Bureau of Meteorology, Australia Michel LEFEBVRE Villeneuve, France

2. The seeds … • Michel and La Chapelle-Aubareil 1995 • Practical experience • Knowing what is useful • TOGA, WOCE • Development of an ocean observing system • GONOW or GODAE? • Concept agreed early 1997 GODAE Final Symposium

3. The Foundations … The First GARP Global Experiment Ocean prediction Understand, predictclimate Ocean models Ocean predictability Ocean assimilation The observing system • The goals of GARP were effectively: • deterministic weather forecasting; • understanding climate • FGGE Goals (circa 1978) • Development of more realistic models for extended range forecasting, general circulation studies, and climate. • To assess the ultimate limit of predictability of weather systems. • To develop more powerful methods for assimilation of meteorological observations and, in particular, for using non-synchronous data... • To design an optimum composite meteorological observing system for routine numerical weather prediction... GODAE Final Symposium

4. Why a Global Ocean Data Assimilation Experiment ? • Opportunity • development and maturity of remote sensing and in-situ observing systems, making global real-time observation feasible • steady advances in scientific knowledge (e.g. TOGA, WOCE) and our ability to model the global ocean and assimilate ocean data • Need • user demand for (global) ocean products for a variety of applications including scientific research • the future sustained, well supported ocean observing system requires a convincing demonstration of its utility • Timing • Now (1997) for 10 years GODAE Final Symposium

5. Where was the science? GODAE Final Symposium • Practical prediction

6. Organising GODAE • “Aloof” and self determining • Partners (PIs) • Patrons • The GODAE Common • A beginning, and an end GODAE Final Symposium

7. On the importance of data • Altimetry and satellite data • The support of the CEOS Strategic Implementation Team 1997 • The OSTST – GODAE alliance • Argo 1998 • OceanObs 1999 • GHRSST 2000/2001 • GODAE provided a unifying force GODAE Final Symposium

8. GODAE: The System Build GODAE Final Symposium

9. Lessons learned … • Successes, we have had a few … • But not all things have followed to plan • The Symposium will reveal • Operating prediction systems • Advances in knowledge • Advances in the observing system • A powerful legacy GODAE Final Symposium

10. GODAE Final Symposium

11. And so … some last thoughts • Good people • My enduring memory will be of the people that have worked to make GODAE a reality • GODAE: • OK, we are now at the end. We lay before you our achievements and ask you to judge whether we have succeeded or not. • It is humbling to see the progress made, and the plans for the future, and to look back at the basis from which this was made. • Success begets responsibility GODAE Final Symposium