Infrastructure Commission

Infrastructure Commission

The  Commission for Observation, Infrastructure and Information Systems (Infrastructure Commission) contributes to the development and implementation of globally coordinated systems for acquiring, processing, transmitting and disseminating Earth system observations, and related standards; coordination of the production and use of standardized analysis and model forecast fields; and development and implementation of sound data and information management practices for all WMO Programmes and their associated application and services areas.

President: Michel JEAN (Canada)

Co-Vice-Presidents:  Bruce FORGAN (Australia), Nadia PINARDI (Italy) and Silvano PECORA (Italy)

 

Visit the Community Platform for membership and activities of the Infrastructure Commission.

 

The Infrastructure Commission shall promote the development of integrated systems to cover all application areas wherever possible, and shall ensure that these systems:

  • Are user-driven and provide earth system observations, processed data and relevant services products and information to Members
  • Are applicable, accessible and with life-cycle management across the full range of WMO Members
  • Are built on a modular and scalable principle to the extent possible
  • Make full use of existing WMO and other relevant standards and regulations
  • Make use of and promote public-private engagement where advantageous
  • Incorporate state-of-art optimal and fit-for-purpose technology
  • Are based on user requirements developed in coordination with CSA and the Research Board
  • Are building upon existing partnerships and networks among communities of practice within the service areas, which are beneficial for WMO Members.

 

The work of the Infrastructure Commission, which encompass all approved WMO application areas, as listed in the Rolling Review of Requirements, as well as updated and emerging observing, information and infrastructure requirements, can be followed online on the WMO Community Plaftorm (here) .

Specific Terms of Reference

(a) Development and maintenance of WMO normative material related to integrated observing systems, data transmission and dissemination systems, data management systems, and data processing and forecast systems as specified in WMO Technical Regulations:

(i) Coordinate development of new systems and infrastructure-related regulatory material in application areas of its scope
(ii) Promote and pursue integration of existing regulatory material
(iii) Keep regulatory material up-to-date through regular amendments, as necessary
(iv) Ensure the consistency of the new and amended regulatory material across the application areas
(v) Consider relevant scientific and technological developments to ensure the currency of the regulatory material
(vi) Accompany recommendations for new and amended regulatory material with related impact, cost-benefit, and risk analysis

(b) Common infrastructure and systems attributes:

(i) Promote a culture of compliance with standards and relevant regulatory material among all Members
(ii) Further develop and promote the use of the Rolling Review of Requirements (RRR) for the assessment of user requirements, the assessment of available capabilities, and the development of gap mitigation strategies in order to further improve the overall systems capabilities of WMO
(iii) Develop and promote a unified approach to data management across all disciplines and WMO applications areas
(iv) Develop common methodologies for quality assurance of observations and other data products across all application areas
(v) Actively seek engagement of Earth system observational data providers from all relevant government entities, international organizations, private sector, and academia

(c) Assistance to Members to enhance systems capabilities and enable effective implementation and compliance:

(i) Consult with regional associations and Members to identify needs for improvements in observing, data transmission and data management capabilities services and develop the required implementation strategies
(ii) Consult with regional associations to identify experts who can participate in technical commission teams, to facilitate implementation and uptake of evolving technical systems, standards and regulations at national and regional levels
(iii) Facilitate the regional and national implementation of systems under its remit by developing guidance material aligned with new and amended regulatory material
(iv) In consultation with the regional associations, identify needs for assistance to Members to improve their capabilities and provide relevant guidance and capacity building, including training
(v) Propose pilot and demonstration projects as necessary
(vi) Facilitate transfer of knowledge by supporting relevant events and through communication and outreach activities
(vii) Providing standards and regulations for the basic measurement of variables characterising water quantity, quality and sediments; (pending CHy-Ext recommendations)
(viii) Support the technical aspects of the Hydrological Status and Outlook System and the state of the water report; (pending CHy-Ext recommendations)

(d) Cooperation and partnership:

(i) Establish close coordination and efficient working mechanisms with the Commission for Weather, Climate, Water and Related Environmental Services and Applications (CSA), relevant international organizations in the area of meteorological, hydrological, climatological and other environmental observations, information and infrastructure
(ii) Establish and maintain close collaboration and coordination with WMO co-sponsored system and programmes, and other major international observing programmes and initiatives
(iii) Establish in the collaboration with the Research Board consultative mechanisms with relevant scientific and operational user organizations to receive feedback and advice (e.g. ECMWF, EUMETSAT, EUMETNET, UNFCCC, FAO) on systems capabilities
(iv) Consider opportunities for leveraging resources through establishment of joint, including inter-agency, bodies and projects addressing common areas of system development

Composition

The composition of the Infrastructure Commission shall be in accordance with General Regulation 143.

Participation of leading technical experts in Earth system observations, information management and predictions in the fields of meteorology, hydrology, climatology, oceanography, atmospheric environment and other fields covered by the terms of reference shall be ensured by Members.

UN and international organizations partners, private partners of WMO may be invited to nominate technical experts in their areas of expertise to participate in the work of the Commission in accordance with General Regulation 143.

Working procedures

The Infrastructure Commission shall elect a president and vice-president(s) among the experts on the Commission.

The Infrastructure Commission shall establish effective and efficient working mechanisms and related necessary time-limited subsidiary bodies:

(a) Establish a work programme with concrete deliverables and timelines, aligned with the Organization-wide Strategic and Operating Plan and monitor progress on annual basis by reporting to the Executive Council and Congress

(b) Use effectively electronic forms of coordination and collaboration

(c) Establish effective coordination with other technical commissions, the Research Board, JCOM and other relevant bodies in particular through the Executive Council’s Technical Coordination Committee, as appropriate

(d) Organize communication and outreach to inform the WMO community of ongoing work, achievements and opportunities

(e) Apply a system for recognition of achievements, promotion of innovation and include young professionals

(f) Ensure regional and gender balance and inclusiveness in all its structures and work plans

(g) Ensure adequate representation and consultation with communities of practice among the service areas

Standing Committee on Earth Observing Systems and Monitoring Networks (SC-ON)

Purpose

Responding to the WMO Convention, article 2(a) (Basic Documents, No. 1 (WMO-No. 15)), which states that one of the primary purposes of the organization shall be “To facilitate worldwide cooperation in the establishment of networks of stations for the making of meteorological observations as well as hydrological and other geophysical observations related to meteorology ”, the Standing Committee will focus on the normative work and technical systems including the development of guidance and tools required to achieve Objective 2.1 of the WMO Strategic Plan: “{to} Optimize the acquisition of Earth system observation data through the WMO Integrated Global Observing System (WIGOS)”, with a focus on improving network design through a tiered approach and monitoring performance, and where appropriate taking into consideration existing Quality Management Framework guidance – Hydrology (QMF-H) material on hydrological services .

The activities of the Standing Committee will include the following:

  • With the regional associations, in collaboration with the other Standing Committees of the Infrastructure Commission, and in collaboration with the Services Commission, and Research Board, and with reference to the Rolling Review of Requirements (RRR) [Hong Kong, China], gather and review observational user requirements across all user programmes and disciplines
  • Assess and advise on gaps and solutions for meeting user needs in observations for all disciplines and WMO Application Areas, and make proposals on implementation, planning and operational management of global, regional, sub-regional [Hong Kong, China] and national observing networks, across Earth System domains
  • Evolve the WMO Application Areas within the Rolling Review of Requirements to reflect the needs of Earth system analysis, prediction, projection, and sector-specific applications
  • Develop and maintain WMO regulatory and guidance material related to Earth observing networks, as specified in the WMO Technical Regulations (WMO-No. 49), in particular in Volume I and III, and the Manual on the WMO Integrated Global Observing System (WMO-No. 1160)
  • Collect and specify requirements for, and guide the development, implementation, operation and maintenance of WIGOS tools (e.g. WIGOS Information Resource, the Observing Systems Capability Analysis and Review Tool (OSCAR), and the WIGOS Data Quality Monitoring System (WDQMS))
  • Assist and guide Members to initiate, [India] design, evolve, optimize, and implement integrated global, regional, sub-regional [Hong Kong, China], and national observing networks in collaboration with relevant groups and partner organizations, including satellite operators
  • In collaboration with the regional associations, provide technical guidance with regard to translating WMO standard practices and procedures into operational advice that is tailored to the needs of individual Member countries and territories
  • Provide necessary assessments or facilitate and guide Members for undertaking such assessments to help enhance their capabilities and overall data availability, and assure optimal compliance with established requirements for all WMO Application Areas
  • Provide performance monitoring of the observing networks; promote the establishment, quality and continued operation of all WIGOS observing networks
  • Establish appropriate coordination with the Services Commission and Research Board on strengthening and designing existing and new observational networks to enhance benefits to Members
  • Cooperate and partner with other organizations to ensure efficient support to Members, with a view to fostering a culture of compliance with regulatory material to build capacity [Iran, MG RA II] and increasing the overall availability of observations
  • Coordinate WMO requirements for radio frequency bands and assignment of radio frequencies to meteorological telecommunications, instruments, sensors, both for operational and research purposes, and liaise with specialist radio frequency management authorities, including the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), on frequency allocation matters
  • Engage with other WMO structures and programmes, co-sponsored programmes, and related international partner organizations in coordinating all relevant activities.
Expertise required

Expertise will be required in the following areas related to surface- and space-based observing networks across all main Earth system domains (weather, climate, atmospheric composition, oceans, hydrology and cryosphere):

  • Observing network design and evolution, including observational user requirements and impact of observations, and observations compliance with relevant WMO regulations/recommendations
  • Observing network implementation
  • Observing network monitoring
  • Allocation and protection of radio frequencies for observing networks.
Membership

Up to 25 technical experts, including Chair and vice-Chair(s), Leads and/or co-Leads of its subsidiary bodies, and other necessary experts selected from the Expert Network by the President of the Commission assisted by the management group and the Secretariat, covering the primary Earth System domains addressed by the WMO (weather, climate, atmospheric composition, oceans, hydrology and cryosphere) and the required types of expertise.

In addition to the core members, the following partners will also be invited to nominate experts based on the ToR of the Standing Committee:

  • The Coordination Group for Meteorological Satellites (CGMS) and the Committee on Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS) concerning space-based observing networks
  • The International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) concerning aircraft-based observations and observations in support of aviation
  • The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (IOC) and the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS) concerning ocean observing networks
  • The International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG), including the International Association of Hydrological Sciences (IAHS) and the International Association of Cryospheric Sciences (IACS), concerning Hydrology and Cryosphere observing and networks
  • The Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme (IHP) of UNESCO for Hydrology and Cryosphere
  • UN Environment, the Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution (LRTAP), Air Pollution regional networks, concerning atmospheric composition observing networks
  • One expert to represent the cross-cutting system for global climate observing systems, who will relate back to the GCOS expert panels
  • Volunteer observing networks like Voluntary Observing Ships (VOS) 
  • Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) water programmes including the FAO Water Platform and Aquastat
  • International Maritime Organization (IMO) [India]
  • Other partners as needed.
Modalities of work

One face-to-face meeting during the intersessional period (i.e. 2-year cycle), prior to the next technical commission session . Otherwise by electronic correspondence and tele/video conference.

Note: The 4-year budget allocated to the technical commissions is based on the assumption that the standing committees will meet once per 2-year period.

Regulatory and guidance material

Maintenance and updating of the following current WMO regulatory and non-regulatory material:

  • * Relevant parts of Technical Regulations Volume I-III (WMO-No. 49),
  • * Manual on the WMO Integrated Global Observing System (WMO-No. 1160),
  • * Manual on Stream Gauging Volumes I and II (WMO-No. 1044),
  • Guide to Climatological Practices (WMO-No. 100) (part relevant to climate observations, stations and networks, supporting Standing Committee on Climate Services ),
  • Guide to Hydrological Practices (WMO-No. 168), Vol. I,
  • Guide to the Global Observing System (WMO-No. 488),
  • Guide to the WMO Integrated Global Observing System (WMO-No. 1165),
  • Guide to Aircraft-based Observations (WMO-No. 1200),
  • Guide to Participation in Radio-frequency Coordination (WMO-No. 1159),
  • Handbook on Use of Radio Spectrum for Meteorology: Weather, Water and Climate Monitoring and Prediction (WMO-No. 1197),
  • Satellite Data Telecommunication Handbook (WMO-No. 1223),
  • Manual on High-Quality Global Data Management Framework for Climate (WMO-No. 1238),
  • Climate Data Management Systems Specifications (WMO-No. 1131).

Forthcoming Guidelines:

  • Guidance on the implementation of regional and national AMDAR programmes
  • Guidance on the regional coordination and implementation of WIGOS and distribution of roles among RWC nodes.[Singapore]
Expected outputs

Note: Deliverables aligned with the WMO Operating Plan 2020-2023 are listed in the Annex to draft Resolution 3/3 (INFCOM-1) as appropriate.

Standing Committee on Measurements, Instrumentation and Traceability (SC-MINT)

Purpose

Responding to the WMO Convention, article 2(c) (Basic Documents, No. 1 (WMO-No. 15)), which states that one of the primary purposes of the organization shall be “To promote standardization of meteorological and related observations and to ensure the uniform publication of observations and statistics”, the Standing Committee will focus on the normative work and technical systems required to achieve Objective 2.1 of the WMO Strategic Plan: “{to} Optimize the acquisition of Earth system observation data through the WMO Integrated Global Observing System (WIGOS)”, in particular as concerns the capture and publication of measurand quality as supported by measurements, instrumentation and traceability.

The activities of the Standing Committee will include the following:

  • With the Regional Associations, in collaboration with the other Standing Committees and Study Groups of the Infrastructure Commission and in collaboration with the Services Commission and Research Board , and with reference to the Rolling Review of Requirements, gather and review measurement requirements across all relevant technology streams, user programmes and disciplines, to update relevant documentation and provide guidance to support the new and changed requirements
  • In collaboration with the Research Board and manufacturers [India], promote innovation and the application of emerging technologies, techniques and integrated solutions in measurement, and where these are beneficial, to provide guidance for their implementation and integration within global, regional, sub-regional [Hong Kong, China] and national observing networks
  • Develop, provide and maintain effective standards, other regulatory and guidance material related to instrumentation and measurement practices, that facilitate creating data that is easily shared among stakeholders and support the deployment of sustainable, reliable, cost-effective and fit-for-purpose measurement systems meeting user requirements including those of relevant United Nations agreements , such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and the Sendai Framework
  • Develop, establish, publish, maintain and provide guidance on the application of suitable mechanisms to enable the traceability of measurement quality to international standards, also quantifying the uncertainties of the measurements
  • Coordinate and conduct intercomparisons, in cooperation with relevant networks [Germany] as appropriate , and develop a framework including the development of best practices, for characterizing the quality of measurements from traditional and non-traditional data sources
  • Develop, update and promote education and training material and recommend competency-based training events in the field of environmental measurements, instrumentation and traceability, in collaboration with Regional Training Centres, Regional Instrument Centres and Lead Centres and the Research Board: Conduct outreach activities, development of best practices, and support capacity development and community of practices especially for the transition from manual to automatic measurements
  • Develop mechanisms for the compliance assessment of WMO designated measurement-related centres against measurement regulations, and perform such assessments as appropriate
  • Engage with other WMO structures, WMO programmes, co-sponsored programmes and related international partner organizations when coordinating relevant activities.
Expertise required
  • Environmental measurement, science and engineering
  • Understanding of user requirements and fit-for-purpose solutions
  • Siting selection, maintenance and classification in terms of the criteria for measurement quality classification
  • Instrument and data collection system operation, maintenance, testing, verification and calibration
  • Comparison of the operation and performance of instruments and data collection systems
  • Traceability hierarchy and measurement quality assurance, along with national accreditation scheme in terms of ISO 17025 for the WMO RICs
  • Metrological practices for the provision, operation and maintenance of traceable references and working standards
  • Expertise about the ISO Guide to the expression of uncertainty in measurement (ISO/IEC Guide 98-4:2008 ) (identification of all uncertainty components, computation of uncertainty budget, etc.)
  • Quality assurance and management (in particular ISO/IEC 17025).

 

Membership

Up to 25 technical experts, including Chair and vice-Chair, Leads and/or co-Leads of its subsidiary bodies, and other necessary experts selected from the Expert Network by the President of the Commission assisted by the management group and the Secretariat, covering the primary Earth System domains addressed by the WMO (weather, climate, atmospheric composition, oceans, hydrology and cryosphere) and the required types of expertise.

In addition to the core members listed above, the following partners will also be invited to nominate experts based on the ToR of the Standing Committee, including to contribute to the work of the Standing Committee (they will be selected by the president of the commission, assisted by the management group and Secretariat):

  • International Committee for Weights and Measures (CIPM) / International Bureau for Weights and Measures (BIPM)
  • Association for Hydro-Meteorological Equipment Industry (HMEI)
  • International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
  • Global Space-based Intercalibration System (GSICS)
  • Other partners with relevant experts that are identified during the intersessional period by the president of the commission assisted by the management group and Secretariat.
Duration

Until the next ordinary session of the commission and can be re-established if necessary.

Modalities of work

One face-to-face meeting during the intersessional period (i.e. 2-year cycle), prior to the next technical commission session. Otherwise by electronic correspondence and tele/video conference.

Note: The 4-year budget allocated to the technical commissions is based on the assumption that the standing committees will meet once per 2-year period.

Regulatory and guidance material

New content and maintenance updates of the following current and proposed WMO regulatory and guidance material:

  • Guide to Instruments and Methods of Observation (WMO-No. 8)
  • Technical Regulations (WMO-No. 49)
  • International Cloud Atlas: Manual on the Observation of Clouds and Other Meteors (WMO-No. 407)
  • Manual on the WMO Integrated Global Observing System (WMO-No. 1160)
  • Guide to the WMO Integrated Global Observing System (WMO-No. 1165)
  • WIGOS Metadata Standard (WMO-No. 1192)
  • Contributions to WMO/GAW Aerosol Measurement Procedures, Guidelines and Recommendations (WMO-No. 1177), Guide to Hydrological Practices, Volume I (WMO-No. 168)
  • Manual on Stream Gauging, Volumes I and II (WMO-No. 1044)
  • Compendium of WMO Competency Frameworks (WMO-No. 1209),

Common WMO-ISO standards, as appropriate, including among others:

  • Wind profilers
  • Particle backscatter lidar
  • Doppler lidar
  • Ground-based weather radar
  • Reference rain gauge pit
  • Snow depth sensors
  • Guidance documentation on the transition to automation
  • Guidance on the replacement and disposal of mercury instruments
  • Guidance on estimation of precipitation using microwave links
  • Guidance on soil moisture measurements
  • Guidance on agricultural flux measurements
  • Guidance on innovations and emerging technologies
  • Instruments and Observing Methods reports.
Expected output

Note: Additional deliverables aligned with the WMO Operating Plan 2020-2023 are listed in the Annex to draft Resolution 3/3 (INFCOM-1) as appropriate.

Standing Committee on Information Management and Technology (SC-IMT)

Purpose

Responding to the WMO Convention, article 2(b) (Basic Documents, No. 1 (WMO-No. 15)), which states that one of the primary purposes of the organization shall be “to promote the establishment and maintenance of systems for the rapid exchange of meteorological and related information”, the Standing Committee will focus on the normative work and technical systems required to achieve Objective 2.2 of the WMO Strategic Plan: “[to] Improve and increase access to, exchange and management of current and past Earth system observation data and derived products through the WMO Information System”.

The activities of the Standing Committee will include the following:

  • With the Regional Associations, and in collaboration with the other Standing Committees of the Infrastructure Commission and in consultation with the Services Commission and Research Board , gather and review requirements across user programmes, assess and advise on gaps and solutions for meeting user needs in information and communication technologies for all disciplines and WMO application areas, and make proposals on implementation, planning and operational management of the WMO Information System (WIS)
  • Monitor and explore new technology that may contribute to the effective and secure operation of WIS
  • Lead the continuous development of WIS, including the implementation of WIS 2.0 in accordance with Resolution 57 (CG-18)
  • Support efficient and effective exchange of data and information among WMO Members and with other organizations including from the private sector; facilitate members to discover and get access to fit-for-purpose data in an effective way
  • Develop and update regulatory and guidance material relating to exchange of observations and other meteorological and related data and information, information life-cycle management, information and telecommunication technology, cybersecurity, operations management, data and metadata standards, data formats, working with Services Commission and its subsidiary bodies, national and international standard bodies and communities where appropriate
  • Develop and support Members in the implementation of unified practices for Earth system components [Russian Federation] data and information management and related use of technology across all disciplines and WMO application areas
  • Provide technical guidance on archiving, rescue and digitization of historical data and products derived from current and past observations, and on making these data discoverable and accessible through WIS
  • Develop, update and promote education and training material and recommend competency-based training events on telecommunications, information management, operations management, and cyber security;
  • With the Regional Associations, monitor and review the performance of WIS and use of globally exchanged data and coordinate the provision of technical support and interaction between WIS centres
  • Monitor compliance with international and WMO information management, cybersecurity and technology standards and practices in WIS and promote a culture of compliance with standards and relevant regulatory material among all Members
  • Contribute to the development and implementation planning of infrastructure of partner international organizations
  • Engage with other WMO structures and programmes, co-sponsored programmes and related international partner organizations in coordinating all relevant activities.
Expertise required

In addition to the general competencies defined in the Technical Regulations relevant to the subject matter, the following expertise is preferable:

  • Telecommunication technologies: mobile communication, satellite communication, Internet of things, messaging protocols
  • Cloud computing services, big data analytic, web services
  • Information system analysis, design, and project management
  • Information security
  • Operational system management: global coordination and monitoring of operation systems, incident resolution
  • Data and information representation technologies and standards for weather, climate, hydrology, marine meteorology: WMO standards, netCDF CF, OGC standards
  • WIS and WIGOS metadata
  • Data archiving, digitalization, rescue and cataloging; information life-cycle management
  • Compliance auditing
Membership

Up to 25 technical experts, including Chair and vice-Chair(s), Leads and/or co-Leads of its subsidiary bodies, and other necessary experts selected from the Expert Network by the President of the Commission assisted by the management group and the Secretariat, covering the primary Earth System domains addressed by the WMO (weather, climate, atmospheric composition, oceans, hydrology and cryosphere) and the required types of expertise.

Duration

Until the next ordinary session of the commission and can be re-established if necessary.

Modalities of work

One face-to-face meeting during the intersessional period (i.e. 2-year cycle), prior to the next technical commission Session. Otherwise by electronic correspondence and tele/video conference.

Note: The 4-year budget allocated to the technical commissions is based on the assumption that the standing committees will meet once per 2-year period.

Regulatory and guidance materials

Maintenance and updating of the following WMO Regulatory and guidance material:

  • Manual on the WMO Information System (WMO-No. 1060)
  • Guide to WMO Information System (WMO-No. 1061)
  • Guide on World Weather Watch Data Management (WMO-No. 788)
  • Manual on Codes (WMO-No. 306)
  • Manual on the Global Telecommunication System (WMO-No. 386)
  • Guide to Information Technology Security (WMO-No. 1115)
  • Guide to Virtual Private Networks (WMO-No. 1116)
  • Satellite Data Telecommunication Handbook (WMO-No. 1223)
  • Guide to Climatological Practices (WMO-No. 100), supporting Standing Committee on Climate Services
  • Manual on High-Quality Global Data Management Framework for Climate (WMO-No. 1238)
  • Climate Data Management Systems Specifications (WMO-No. 1131)
  • A report on the current activities of global centres for observing data on various components of the Earth system operating under the auspices of WMO, and proposals for improving the services to consumers of information. [Russian Federation]
Expected outputs

Note: Additional deliverables aligned with the WMO Operating Plan 2020-2023 are listed in the Annex to draft Resolution 3/3 (INFCOM-1) as appropriate.

Standing Committee on Data Processing for Applied Earth System Modelling and Prediction & Projection (SC-ESMP)

Purpose

Responding to the preamble of the WMO Convention “Recognizing the importance of an integrated international system for the observation, collection, processing and dissemination of meteorological, hydrological and related data and products” and its article 2(c) (Basic Documents, No. 1 (WMO-No. 15)), which states, among the purposes of the organization, “{…} to ensure the uniform publication of observations and statistics ”, the Standing Committee will focus on the normative work and technical systems required to achieve Objective 2.3 of the WMO Strategic Plan: “{to} Enable access to and use of numerical analysis and Earth system prediction and Projection [Singapore] products and applications at all temporal and spatial scales from the WMO seamless Global Data Processing and Forecasting System (GDPFS).

The activities of the Standing Committee will include the following:

With the regional associations, in collaboration with the other Standing Committees of the Infrastructure Commission, and in collaboration with the Services Commission and Research Board gather and review requirements across user programmes, assess and advise on gaps and solutions for meeting user needs in numerical analysis and Earth system prediction products for all disciplines

In collaboration with the Research Board and Services Commission, support the advancement and operationalization of probabilistic forecasting and Earth system modelling, prediction and projection [Singapore] (Strategic Objective (SO) 2.3/Focus in 2020-2023)

Develop relevant regulatory and guidance material (SO2.3/Focus in 2020-2023), in particular the Manual on the Global Data Processing and Forecasting System (WMO No. 485)

Responding to new and evolving WMO programme requirements, and in collaboration with the Research Board, Services Commission and other Constituent Bodies (Resolution 58, Cg-18), develop and support the implementation of the seamless GDPFS, including support to tropical cyclone forecast and severe weather forecast, taking into consideration related initiatives such as the Climate Services Information System (CSIS) and the Global Hydrological Status and Outlook System (HydroSOS)

Support and enhance the capabilities of all WMO Members to benefit from impact-based and probabilistic products, and historical data including analyses and reanalysis model output (SO2.3/Focus in 2020-2023)

Support for emergency response activities to Members and partner organizations (the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO), the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), etc.) (Basic Documents, 3. Agreements and working arrangements with other International Organizations – WMO-No. 60)

In collaboration with the regional associations , monitor and review the performance and application of the GDPFS and promote a culture of compliance with standards and relevant regulatory material among all Members

Any activities necessary to support the implementation of constituent body policy [Germany] decisions related to analysis, modelling, prediction and projection [Singapore] data, including the sharing of model outputs data

Engage with other WMO structures and programmes, co-sponsored programmes and related international partner organizations in coordinating all relevant activities

In collaboration with the regional associations and Regional Training Centre, develop, update and promote training material and recommend competency-based training events on Earth system modelling and applications in addition to building capacity among developing Members on the use and interpretation of model output, and the development of model analysis and forecast.

Expertise required

* Earth system modelling and prediction (ESMP) , analysis, reanalysis and projection across all time and spatial scales, both deterministic and probabilistic, scales for various disciplines, including: Seamless Earth system modelling for various components (i.e. ocean, hydrology, cryosphere, atmospheric composition) in a fully coupled manner and full value chain approach to serve all application areas (i.e., marine, aviation, water, climate, environment), Multi-Model Ensemble (MME) approaches, etc.;

* Calibration and downscaling of ESM products;

* Verification of ESM outputs;

Development of ensemble prediction and assimilation, and impact-based model products.

Atmospheric transport and dispersion modelling for nuclear and non-nuclear emergencies.

Space weather analysis and prediction.

Membership

Up to 25 technical experts, including Chair and vice-Chair(s), Leads and/or co-Leads of its subsidiary bodies, and other necessary experts selected from the Expert Network by the President of the Commission assisted by the management group and the Secretariat, covering the primary Earth System domains addressed by the WMO (weather, climate, atmospheric composition, oceans, hydrology and cryosphere) and the required types of expertise.

Selected experts will represent both government and research and development organizations within the following domains:

  • Earth System Modelling
  • Climate data-processing, monitoring, analysis, prediction and projection
  • Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP); Ocean modelling, Hydrological modelling, Atmospheric transport modelling, Agrometeorology, High mountain, Cryosphere, Air quality, Space weather, Nowcasting, Representatives of selected GPFS Centres [Japan, Secretariat].
Duration

Until the next ordinary session of the commission and can be re-established if necessary.

Modalities of work

One face-to-face meeting during the intersessional period (i.e. 2-year cycle) prior to next technical commission session. Otherwise by electronic correspondence and tele/video conference.

Note: The 4-year budget allocated to the technical commissions is based on the assumption that the standing committees will meet once per 2-year period.

Regulatory and guidance material

Current WMO Regulatory and non-regulatory material within the remit of the Standing Committee:

  • Manual on the Global Data-processing and Forecasting System (WMO-No. 485),
  • Guide on Global Data-processing System (WMO-No 305),
  • Guidelines on High Resolution Numerical Weather Prediction,
  • Guidelines on Ensemble Prediction System and Post Processing,
  • WMO Guidelines on Generating a Defined Set of National Climate Monitoring Products (WMO-No. 1204),
  • Guidance on Verification of Operational Seasonal Climate Forecasts (WMO -No. 1220),
  • Guidance on Operational Practices for Objective Seasonal Forecasting,
  • Guidance on regional climate change projections, [Singapore]
  • WMO Catalogue of Earth System Data,
  • Guidelines for Nowcasting Techniques (WMO-N0. 1198),
  • Future Seamless Global Data Processing and Forecasting System Implementation Plan.
Expected Outputs

Note: Additional deliverables aligned with the WMO Operating Plan 2020-2023 are listed in the Annex to draft Resolution 3/3 (INFCOM-1) as appropriate.