Dr Alexander Karpov Chief, Observing Systems Division WWW Department

1. World Meteorological Organization Weather – Climate - Water Dr Alexander KarpovChief, Observing Systems DivisionWWW Department RA III Regional Training Seminar on CLIMAT & CLIMAT TEMP Reporting Buenos Aires, Argentina25-27 October 2006 Overview of theWorld Weather WatchOperations

2. April 1963 - the Fourth Meteorological Congress enthusiastically adopted the idea of the World Weather Watch (WWW). A fundamental principle was that the World Weather Watch, - would be implemented and operated by Members themselves - to the extent that their resources permitted, and - in accordance with the agreed Plan

3. Implementation of WWW facilities outside national territories would be based on voluntary participation of countries providing equipment and services from their resources. To assist States less able to contribute and to benefit from the global system, a Voluntary Assistance Programme(now Voluntary Cooperation Programme) was established.

4. GARP became a synegeric research element for the development and planning of the WWW • The WWW still has three readily identifiable interconnected (integrated) components (also known as Basic Systems): • Global Observing System (GOS) • Global Telecommunication System(GTS) • Global Data-processing and Forecasting System (GDPFS)

5. Adopted in 1967, the WWW Plan and Implementation Programme has been reviewed and revised on several occasions,taking into account: • The evolving needs of Members • The possibilities offered by scientific & technological developments

6. In particular, Member’s Agreement on the integration of Obs, Telecoms and Processing had foreseen that: • Each partner owes & operates its own system; • Each partner agrees to use standards and conventions such that other partners can use his observations; • Each partner agrees to interface specifications that his observations can be transmitted over the GTS and downloaded to be used by other partners; • Each partner agrees to a specific level of data quality .

7. It soon became obvious that, WWW Basic systems could also serve the needs of Members in other areas, e.g. • GCOS • GTOS • GOOS/JCOMM • WHyCOS • GAW/WWRP, etc.

8. To predict the weather, modern meteorology depends upon near instantaneous exchange of weather information across the entire globe.

9. The World Weather Watch (WWW), • the core of the WMO Programmes, • combines observing systems, • telecommunication facilities, and • data-processing and • forecasting centres • operated by Members – • to make available • meteorological and related • geophysical information needed • to provide efficient services • in all countries.

10. The WWW is a unique achievement in international cooperation: in few other fields of human endeavour, and particularly in science and technology, is there - or has there ever been - such a truly world-wide operational system to which virtually every country in the world contributes, every day of every year, for the common benefit of mankind.

11. Through the WWW Programme WMO Members coordinate and implement standardization of measuring methods and techniques, common telecommunication procedures, and the presentation of observed data and processed information in a manner which is understood by all, regardless of language. 

12. These arrangements, as well as the operation of the WWW facilities, are coordinated and monitored by WMO with a view to ensuring that every country has available all of the information it needs to provide weather services on a day-to-day basis as well as for long-term planning and research. 

13. An increasingly important part of the WWW Programme provides support for developing international programmes related to global climate and other environmental issues, and to sustainable development.

14. WMO Programme Structure World Weather Watch Programme Atmospheric Research and Environment Programme Hydrology and Water Resources Programme Applications of Meteorology Programme World Climate Programme Education and Training Programme Technical Co-operation Programme WMO/OMM

15. COMMISSION FOR BASIC SYSTEMS • Open Programme Area Groups (OPAGs): • OPAG on Integrated Observing Systems (IOS) • OPAG on Integrated System and Services (ISS) • OPAG of Global Data-Processing and Forecasting Systems (DPFS) • OPAG on Public Weather Services (PWS)

16. COMMISSION FOR BASIC SYSTEMS

19. WMO/OMM FLOW OF INFORMATION DATA COLLECTION Global Observing System GOS DATA AND PRODUCT TRANSPORT Global Telecommunication System GTS PRODUCT GENERATION Global Data Processing and Forecasting System GDPFS DATA MANAGEMENT DATAAND PRODUCT USERS

20. Global Observing System: • Provides observations for all other WMO programmes (including aviation, climate, agriculture, environment, disaster prevention and mitigation) • Operated by National Meteorological Services • Data requirements evolve with technology .

21. The Global Observing System of the WWW comprises surface and space-based subsystems; data obtained are transmitted via the Global Tele-communication System to the Global Data-Processing & Forecasting System, where required information and products are produced and sent to the users.

22. Typical daily coverage of surface observations from land (red) and VOS (blue) stations At present over 11 000 manned and automatic weather stations on land and about 7 000 voluntary observing ships (VOS) at sea provide measurements and observations

36. Global Data-Processing and Forecasting System: • World Meteorological Centres • Regional Specialized Meteorological Centressuch as for example: • Tropical Cyclone Forecasting • Environmental Emergency Response • National Meteorological Centres .

37. GDPS Centres running models GLOBAL DATA PROCESSING AND FORECASTING SYSTEM

38. Muchas Gracias !