# Presentation: 027751

## A Briefing to NOAA Science Advisory BoardMarch 19, 2003 Regarding:

**NOAA Council on Long-Term ****Climate Monitoring (CLTCM)****Ninth Meeting, Crystal City, VA, January 15-16, 2003****The Council identified two strategic issues for consideration by the SAB:**

- Terms of Reference (TOR) of the CLTCM relative to the TOR of the NOAA Climate and Global Change (C&GC) Panel
- Developing and implementing an optimal observing system
**             ****Request SAB to review and endorse our****         recommendations**

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** **_**	**__**Issue**_**: **
**The respective TORs assign duplicative responsibilities to the two groups for observing systems and data management**
** **_**	**__**Recommendation**_**: **
**CLTCM to focus on the observing system and related data management and stewardship requirements**
**C&GC Panel to focus on climate research, services, and assessments**

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** **_**	**__**Issue**_**: **
**The lack of an overall strategy for an optimal observing system**
_**Recommendation**_**: **
**Evaluate all new observing system components and improvements in an integrated manner.  **
**New system components should not be evaluated on a component-by-component basis.  **
**CLTCM has defined an initial set of criteria to be considered.**

## Other Issues Identified by the Council

- _NWS radiosonde replacement system/data continuity_
- The Council was asked to review a strategic document addressing the radiosonde transition from a climate perspective
- The Council supported recommendations for dual sonde flights,  further recommended the design of a “reference radiosonde”, and identified the need for routine and accurate temperature/humidity profiles globally
- _Microwave occultation on ESA ACE+ mission for profiles of _
- _water vapor, clouds, etc._
- The Council endorsed this unique opportunity to test an instrument that may fill gaps in the current atmospheric profile record

## Other Issues Identified by the Council

- _Linkage between Climate Reference Network (CRN) and _
- _Cooperative Observer (COOP) Stations_
- The colocation of some CRN and COOP stations will have mutual benefits: accuracy of COOP stations enhanced and local variability captured by the denser COOP stations
- The Council recommended completion of the CRN network
- _Change in GUAN (Global Upper Air Network) stations_
- Given new information on the quality of some stations, the Council agreed that the initial choices should be re-examined

## Other Issues Identified by the Council

- _NPOESS implementation_
- The overlap strategy for critical parameters needs to be formalized
- _GCOS support for international observing under the CCRI_
- NOAA should ensure that international activities related to these sustained observations are coordinated through the official GCOS Coordinator
- _Surface/tropospheric temperature trend differences_
- Other satellite data (e.g., AVHRR) could be used as an independent check and reanalysis of the Christy and Wentz analyses by a third, independent group should be considered

## Other Issues Identified by the Council

- _Scientific data stewardship_
- The Council endorsed the Comprehensive Large-Arrray Stewardship System (CLASS) but questioned the adequacy of the budget and asked for a function-oriented presentation at the next CLTCM meeting
- The Council recommended more coordination with NASA and interaction with NPOESS to delineate responsibility for research-quality data sets
- _Transition of TAO array_
- As the transition plan evolves, the Council emphasized that technology infusion and a connecton to research needs must be maintained

## Other Issues Identified by the Council

- _Increase of standard levels in NWP models_
- The need for higher vertical resolution in NWP models requires that the number of reporting levels for radiosondes be increased, i.e., in the future archives of pressure data should contain higher vertical resolution
- _Earth Observation Summit_
- The Summit should provide an opportunity to revisit persistent issues like the free and open exchange of

## Next meeting of the CLTCM

_**New Members:**_
- Robert Murphy - NASA/NPP (Satellite Observations)
- Joyce Penner - U. of Michigan (Aerosol expert)
_**NOAA Membership on the CLTCM:**_
- Benefits of NOAA members becoming Associate Members
- Requires a non-NOAA Chair
_**Next Meeting Agenda and timing:**_
- Presentation on CLASS
- Other Issues TBD
- September, 2003 (approx. six weeks prior to November 4-6 SAB mtg.)