GIFS/TIGGE WG 6th MEETING ACTION ITEMS
Updated Sep 26 08
Actions from Mar 08 meeting
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Information on generation procedures for TIGGE global ensemble
metadata:a)Agree on information content - Z. T. coordinates with Ken Mylne,
circulate to WG members before it is finalized (K.Mylne, Z.Toth, Apr.
15,)
b)Study WIS-compliance aspects and related costs, study xml; set up
xml template if appropriate, recommend other format otherwise (B.
Ebert, W. Almeida, possibly with some help from ECMWF, Apr 30)
c)
Producing centers prepare info sheet in table format (marked with
implementation date), post this on their web site, send url info to
TIGGE webmaster(s) (All producing centers, May 31,)d)
TIGGE web master(s) create links to producing center url’s (TIGGE
webmaster(s), June 30)
e)Producing centers add new table every time their system is changed;
old tables are to be kept on web for reference (All producing centers,
ongoing)f)
Finish by mid Oct , send to 3 archive centers web link with file
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TIGGE-LAM subgroup to strengthen links with THORPEX Regional
Committees (Sep 2008, T. Paccagnella).
Contact made, no specific feedback
TIGGE-LAM group to conduct a precise survey of LAM-EPS groupsinterested in IC/BC in pressure levels in real-time (T.Paccagnella, Sep 2008)
Efforts made, not all contacts respond; full resolution preferred for BC
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Regarding EC0-1 from THORPEX EC Febr. 7, 2008 meeting: TIGGE /GIFS WG finds the representation of THORPEX WGs and Regional
Committees insufficient with only one co-chair from all WGs and RCs
on the EC. This may not allow efficient information exchange between
ICSC meeting. A co-chair from each WG and RC would provide muchbetter representation. Note that most EC business could possibly bedone via e-mail (co-chairs of TIGGE/GIFS WG will report on this to
ICSC, Nov 2008)4
Barbara Brown and Tom Hamill to be moved to SERA & DAOS WGs
as recommended by March 2007 TIGGE / GIFS WG meeting (cochairs report to ICSC, Nov 2008). L. Wilson to represent TIGGE at
SERA meetings (co-chairs, IPO)
other WGs to be formally notified by THORPEX IPO
5Even though SERA WG assumed wider role, we request that for
proper collaboration with THORPEX WG, their activities, membership,
etc be listed as before under THORPEX in reports etc (ZT report to
IPO, Mar. 2008)6

Collect information on usage of TIGGE Phase-1 archive from the threearchive centers, share info with WG members (Steve Worley, Sep
2008) Not done, delayed until NCAR phase 1 was complete and now
need some more time to see if usages increase. CMA was notcontacted. Expect ECMWF represents a majority of usage at thispoint. Carry over objective into ’09.
Asking for end of Oct if possible
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Advertise TIGGE web forum accessible from NCAR archive site, add
links to the forum from other TIGGE access sites (Steve Worley, May
2008)
Done – WG was cc’d and reinvited to join the TUG. We placed
several NCAR announcements there. Not much activity- very few
threads of communication.
WG needs to start this going
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Invite a WIS expert to next TIGGE / GIFS WG meeting (co-chairs, IPO,
Sep 2008)
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Consider addition of new records into TIGGE Phase-1 dataexchange/archive (in format similar to existing variables) depending on
more concrete requests from TIGGE-LAM subgroup and PDP WG. For
example NWP experiments need more complete information on IC (oncontinual basis; JMA request, MUMMA-type research) and BC (forpreselected periods, ~30 days per year, TIGGE-LAM support)
facilitating ensemble experiments (Y. Takeuchi / C. Bishop consult with
PDP WGDr Sato pursue this, T. Paccagnella consult with TIGGE-LAM subgroup to develop list of added
variables – May 31; producing centers / archive centers consider including
additional variables, not to exceed a total of 10% increase in data volume per
year – Nov 2008).
Tiggelam discussion deferred
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GRIB2 precip encoding/decoding problem noted by JMA; detailed
description of problem to be sent to archive centers (Y. Takeuchi, Apr
2008)
No problem
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ECMWF web page expanded with list of TIGGE-related publications(P. Bougeault, May 31)
done
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Explore what observational data readily accessible through NCAR,
NCDC/NOAA and possibly other web sites may be relevant for TIGGE
verification efforts; add useful information to TIGGE-related web sites(Laurie Wilson, June 2008)
Work though this will Laurie, did we include NCDC enough.
Possibly refine the list by asking for review and additions fromNCDC?
Research done, need to discuss & put on web

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JMA to continue and expand its WMO-sponsored verification activities
following recommendations by Ensemble Expert Team. Finalverification of selected upper level grids against each center’s own
analysis to be provided by each producing center to JMA (Allproducing centers, ongoing); missing statistics to be computed andposted by JMA (Y. Takeuchi, Jul 2008). JMA to consider verification of
a combined, 10-center TIGGE ensemble (Y. Takeuchi, Oct 08)(verifying analysis to be selected after consultation with experts).
Verifying analysis for, and verification of precipitation ensembles to beconsidered later
Only ecmwf sent and cptec, kma ready
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Encourage THORPEX Regional Committees & RSMCs in use anduser specific verification of TIGGE data against observations or otherrelevant data (co-chairs, L. Wilson, & IPO, May 2008)
keep
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Prepare draft letter to be sent by WWRP to JMA Intl Affairs Office& KMA (and possibly other producing centers if needed) with request
to provide TC data in CXML format on ftp site for research applications
during TPARC. Access can be limited to registered users. Request
consideration of continued access to data after T-PARC, underconditions defined by data providers (Z. Toth and IPO, April 2008)16
Contact colleagues at CMA (Shanghai) engaged with TC forecasting to
explore their interest and willingness to contribute to CXML TC dataexchange (J. Gong, May 2008)
check
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Proposed CXML format and content for real time exchange of TC (andlater ETC) accepted by WG with minor changes. CMA, JMA, KMA,
ECMWF, CMC (through NCEP), UKMETOFFICE, and NCEP
expressed an interest and readiness to make files with TC info in cxml
format available through their individual ftp sites in real time by July
2008 for TPARC (Aug-Sep 08, Jan-Mar 09), and with 48-hr delay if
desired by any producing center, beyond TPARC Tracking algorithms /software voluntarily shared among centers (7 contributing centers, July2008).. BOM & METEOFRANCE to explore possibility to contributelater.
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Producing centers to provide ftp site and access info to B. Ebert forinclusion on CXML T-PARC & TIGGE web sites (Contributing centers,
June 2008)
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CXML proposal to be augmented by content & name of files to bemade available by producing centers (Proposal by B. Ebert, 31 March,
final version after consultation with all producing and archive
centers,15 April)Name convention was not adopted across all center.
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CPTEC expressed an interest in tracking subtropical and extratropicallows, explores use of cxml format, report on experience to cxml team,

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and in its ensemble to be processed by other parties for TC tracks (P.
Silva Dias, B. Ebert, Sep 08)
NCAR, and possibly ECMWF could create cxml archive, contingent on
appropriate file naming and data transmission protocols. Access /interrogation methods to archived data unclear until further
specifications are given. Archiving of TC information to be explored,
either at phase-1 archive center(s), and/or in distributed phase-2
framework, in conjunction with focal group addressing phase-2
archiving issues (B. Ebert, Sep 2008)
Simple archive was established and is running now, contains all TC
that have been produced. It is also backed up on the NCAR MSS.
Ask Philippe about real time access from ecmwf
Sera asks about extratropical cyclones

WG discussed Phase-2 / GIFS draft plan, including concept of realtime data exchange (Phase-2) and product generation (GIFS) as newelements in TIGGE / GIFS, and agreed with general structure of plan.
Content needs to be revised; revisions based on specificrecommendations (eg, NCAR conditions to link their archive with futurecommon user web interface; interactivity) to be included before
document is presented to IPO & ICSC. Archiving to be discussed
further at Sep 08 meeting. (Revised plan circulated to WG – Apr 30;
WG feedback, May 31; Final version, June 30)
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WG identified archiving of ensemble data and derived products during
Phase-2 and GIFS as an area that will need further consideration anddiscussion. Options to consider include:
For ensemble forecast data:a) Continue Phase-1 archive system (3 central locations, with identicalcopies of data. NCAR & ECMWF expressed a willingness andinterest to continue with current archive systemb) Distributed archiving
i)
Data archived by 3 centers partitioned, avoiding duplication (eg,each center collects and holds data from 3-4 different producing
centers)ii)
Data archived by producing centers (Some expressed interest)iii)
Combination of (i) & (ii), ie, some centers archive their own data,
while others send their data to central archives
For derived products – first assess what needs to be archived, then:a)Archive at producing centersb)Archive at RSMCs who use the datac)Archive at data distribution centers (GISC)
d)Archive at TIGGE Phase-1 archive centerse)Combination of above, ie, find most suitable solution for each type ofdata
Prepare for discussion of archiving issues for duration of Phase-2 &GIFS at next WG meeting (Phase-2 / GIFS Planning sub-group to

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prepare discussion material for Sept WG meeting, Zoltan Toth & subgroup members, Sept 2008; WG members to report about theircenter’s archiving interest/willingness, Sept 2008)
Continue current archiving practices at 3 centers until new
arrangements are developed and accepted for data archiving,. (Repsfrom archiving centers, ongoing)
For detailed planning, start two focus groups for initial Phase-2 & GIFS
planning with volunteers from WG members, technical experts fromproducing & archive centers, and invited experts on WIS etc (cochairs, Apr 30):a) Real time data exchange, product generation, web interface,archiving issuesb) Tool box (shared development and use of algorithms/software –Mohan Ramamurthy)
Focus groups report to full WG (Sep 08 WG meeting, focus groupleaders)
Start exploring real time exchange of gridded precipitation data as
prototype for Phase-2 real time data exchange and GIFS productgeneration; coordinate with real time data exchange focal group (L.
Wilson, P. Dias, Sep 2008)
After discussion, WG found YOTC data request lacks some details.
Also, it is not clear how wide the potential user base of the new data
would be. Further, it was not clear if for the studies foreseen, whether
ensemble data would be needed or data from a single high resol;ution
integration may be best. Also, since the generation of the data may
require significant resources, it may be preferable to derive the datafrom special off-line integrations, as opposed to operational forecasts.
Overall, the WG felt the request may be better addressed by WGNE,
and suggest YOTC contact the WGNE group. (Z. Toth, March 08)
The WG briefly discussed the issue of timeliness of data access fromTIGGE Phase-1 archives during demonstration projects like T-PARC. It
was noted that though the normal 2-day delay for data access iswaived for such periods, there is an unavoidable delay of around 36
hrs due to the transmission procedures used to transfer large amountsof data on a regular basis from the 10 producing centers to the 3archive centers. The WG encouraged interested T-PARC participants
to take advantage of the TC track/intensity information that the
producing centers plan to make available in real time during T-PARC.
Once Phase-2 of TIGGE is developed, real time access to ensemble
data will be feasible (Z. Toth, info item for IPO, March 2008)
WG agrees to organize TIGGE workshop (or TIGGE sessions) as partof Science Symposium in March 2009. Request IPO to position TIGGE
sessions in middle of meeting. Example: Tue pm: TIGGE research
results (jointly organized with PDP); Wedn morning: overview of
TIGGE Phase 1 (~1 hr), followed by tutorial on 3 archive centers (inposter area with 3 PCs, 1 hr), then user feedback on phase-1 (3 hrs);

3132Phase-2 & GIFS plan overview, followed by discussions (3 hrs inafternoon); Thurs am: Sera applications (R. Swinbank, Y. Takeuchi,
Laurie Wilson volunteered as members of organizing group, along with
K. Mylne from Ensemble ET CB from PDP - ongoing; JMA appointed
Mio Matsueda as member of the organizing group shortly after the
meeting. The co-chairs will appoint a leader for the organizing group)
Short PR paper on TIGGE Phase-1 to be published in EOS, after
NCAR upgrades to its archive in ~June (P. Bougeault, July 08)
Published Sept. 2, took longer than expectedLonger paper with some science results to be published in BAMS (P.
Bougeault, Dec 08)

check
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Presentations at meetings on TIGGE; encourage science results (PDP,
SERA, etc):a) AMS Annual meeting Feb. 08, New Orleans (Y. Zhu)b) EGU, Vienna, Apr 08, Z. Tothc) AGU, Fort Laudardale, May 08, Glenn Rutledged) EMS, Oct 08, P. Bougeault
checke) Asian TIGGE / THORPEX science workshop J. Gong, Oct 08
checkf) AMS 09, S. Worley
Paper subimittedg) Brazil, Apr 09, control theory / TIGGE. P. Dias
checkh) IAMAS, summer 09 R. Swinbank
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Suggest to other groups the addition of links on their web pages to
TIGGE archive sites (B. Ebert, June 08)
check
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TIGGE / GIFS WG wishes to participate at Geneva, Sept 22- meeting,request at least 1-2 day separate meeting (co-chairs & IPO, Mar 08)
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TIGGE-LAM sub-group meeting to be organized for Geneva Sep 22week, 1-2 days, with opportunity for sub-group to join some of TIGGE /GIFS WG discussions (T. Paccagnella, co-chairs, IPO, Mar 08)
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Invite GEO user committees to co-organize and attend THORPEX
Symposium and TIGGE workshop/sessions (L. Wilson, IPO, Apr 08,
after time/location finalized)
New Actions Geneva Sep 22-26 2008
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Peter Chen suggested GIFS focus on practical products, week-2
extension of forecasts, precip, temp, and consider feedback,verification, evaluation
Minor revisions to GIFS plan following WIS presentation (R. Swinbank& Z. Toth, Sept 2008)

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WG benefitted from attendance of experts from other WGs & RCs,
including comments on GIFS plan
Prepare review of existing extratropical cyclone tracking methods (UKMet Office, NCEP (Mike Charles), KMA; R. Swinbank leads, consultswith others – Dec 08)
CXML data archived at NCAR – 12 users already without
advertisement; include CXML in all future TIGGE presentations (all –continuing)
CXML used in real time at KMA, BOM, NCEP, UKMO; what is summer
T-PARC use, how will winter T-PARC use it? (z. Toth, Oct 08)
CXML track combination & verification – collect info form scientists(Beth Ebert – Dec 08)
CXML user outreach to operational centers using data (Neil Gordon –May 2009)
Web interface issue not resolved, include in Focus groups 1-2
discussion items (Co-chairs, Oct 08)
CXML to be covered in BAMS TIGGE paper (P. Bougeault, Dec 08)
CXML notes included in next THORPEX newsletter (Beth Ebert, Sept08)
No decision on introduction of gml into cxml; Beth to explore issue
further (Feb 2009)
BOM may contribute cxml by 2010 (Beth Ebert); MeteoFrance by ?
(Jean Nicolau)
Share all cxml-related software, please, using CXML web page (all,continuing)
CMC CXML data missing (check NCE#P processing, Z. Toth, Sept 08)
CXML availability from ECMWF is late, compared with others? (Y.
Park, P. Bougeault, Oct 08)
ECMWF CXML goes out to 5 days only, consider requesting
extension? (P. Bougeault)
All centers to include track for hires unperturbed forecast (all, Dec 08)
Phase-2, distributed archive for TIGGE out
Draft GIFS Plan reviewed in details. Several useful suggestions made.
Plan accepted by WG subject to suggested changes are made by R.
Swinbank & Z. Toth (Sept 08)
Co-chairs to distribute and request feedback from other THORPEX &WWRP WGs (comments by 25 Oct 08)
GIFS Planning sub-group & co-chairs incorporates comments into final
version, Nov 10 08)
GIFS Plan to be presented to ICSC for their approval (Nov 08, cochairs)
TIGGE-LAM planned Jan meeting in Bologna, Italy welcomed by WG;
T. Pacagnella to prepare detailed outline and contact IPO with cc to
GIFS-TIGGE co-chairs by Sep 30

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TIGGE-LAM developments include coordination with SRNWPInteroperability Project of European nations; Meeting on European
TIGGE-LAM archive specifications (Sept 4 2008)
No decisions yet on specifics of TIGGE LAM boundary and initialcondition perturbations (model level / grid / variable vs. standard
pressure / lat/lon grid
Precip as next pilot project accepted.
Need for real time exchange of info to involve forecasters anddevelopers at global and regional. Global centers requested toconsider making their global precip data available in real time to GIFS
product developing centers; data / derived products not to be further
distributed without permission of contributing data provider centers (allproducing centers inform co-chairs about their ability to contribute, Dec
2008, centers may turn on data distribution as their technical abilities
permit)Suggestion to work on products initially for 4 regions in parallel: thecurrent and planned CBS SWFDPs of Southern Africa, South America,
Southern Pacific, and the disaster prone regions of Southern Asia;
design / develop products derived from the combination of ensembles
for high impact events specific for each region, eg PQPF for highamounts of precipitation, in collaboration with SERA & RCs, as the
distribution of such derived products may have fewer restrictions
Consider statistical correction of precipitation using regionally available
observational data; consider influence on precip of other factors suchas MJO
Centers noted expected upcoming changes in next 1-2 yrs:
MeteoFrance
30-40 members, nonlinearly evolved SVs (computedfor 4 regions of globe), 2/day out to 108 hrs
KMA
MOGREPS ensemble by end of 2010 – question asked
about overlap with UKMET & BOM (reduced membership at higher
resolution?)
BOM
MOGREPS ensemble in 2-3 yrs
NCEP
T126 => T190, stochastic perturbations, 8th order diffusion
lead to increased spread (Dec 2008); enhancements in statisticalcorrection methods also in 2009 (precip, US in 2009-10 based on radar& gage estimates, extrapolar globe in 2010-11 based on combined
satellite/gage estimates, “RMORPH”)
JMA
Reduced Gaussian grid – no other change in next 3 yrs
UKMET Physics changes soon, 90 => 60 km resolution, 38 => 70
levels in summer 2009
CMC
no major changes (4/day shorter range hires unperturbed
integration)
ECMWF pls provide intput (P. Bougeault)
CMA
pls provide input (J. Gong)
R. Swinbank reported about draft outline for TIGGE User Workshop(May 2009, part of Science Symposium, Monterey, CA). WG asked R.

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S. to closely liason with I. Szunyogh and J. Hansen and request 2
timeblocks (half day) for TIGGE Intro talk by P. Bougeault, followed by
TIGGE science talks (invite T. Hamill & B. Ebert); Another time block ofscience talks (depending on # of contributions), ending with joint talk(~45 mins) by 3 archive centers (one intro, other 2 shorter descriptionsof all 3 archives); this is followed immediately by user tutorials during
poster session; last segment of 2 time blocks (half day) opened by
GIFS plan talk by Z. Toth, followed by SWFDP SA talk (invite E.
Poolman), SERA TIGGE/GIFS application type talks, ending with talk
introducing charge for 2 focus groups. This session ends with 1-hour
discussion on GIFS, applications, focus groups. R. Swinbank to
prepare updated outline, present to Symposium organizers (Oct 7);
contact J. Hansen (or other colleagues in local organizing group) about
internet access requirements (30 Sept)
WG discussed links with other THORPEX & WWRP WGs:
Mesoscale WG – TIGGE-LAM subgroup to cultivate link (T.
Paccagnella, continuing)
Verification WG – 2 GIFS-TIGGE members on Verificaiton WG act asliasons, Verification WG Chair also invited to attend GIFS-TIGGE WG
meetings; B. Brown also emphasized need for comprehensive
evalution of TIGGE data
SERA WG – Measuring value added by GIFS – for forecasters andothers; S. Worley to assist B. Mills on accessing and making TIGGE
data distributed within SERA community (S. Worley, Nov. 2008); L.
Wilson to continue acting as liason to SERA (L. Wilson, continuing)
PDP – no representatives present; Following workshop, I. Szunyogh,co-chair of PDP WG suggested to hold a joint PDP – GIFS-TIGGE WG
session focusing on ensemble forecasting related research issues one
evening at the Monterey Science Symposium; R. Swinbank to insert 2hour evening joint WG session into Symposium program (Oct 2008);
Encourage PDP to promote use of TIGGE archive (co-chairs consult
with co-chairs of PDP, Dec 2008)
RCs – Three RCs represented (NA, Africa, SH) – very useful for GIFSTIGGE WG discussions; Suggestion for different RCs hosting GIFSTIGGE WG meetings (next either South America or SH, co-chairs
discuss with IPO, Dec 2008); Africa RC co-chairs express interest
working with GIFS-TIGGE WG on product development; they also
noted critical role of NCEP Africa Desk in outreach efforts; SH RC
representative offered help with outreach in South Pacific GIFS
Prototype TC outreach; NA co-chair noted need for NA region outreachto Central America and Caribbean
TFSP – Need for discussing linkages between GIFS and seasonalensemble forecasting. WG noted the lack of report on subject from P.
DaSilva, asked Z. Toth to pursue matter with successor of TFSP(CHFP?) (Dec 2008)

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ET-EPS – suggested they focus on GIFS-related training; critical tokeep that group abreast of GIFS product developments for early
engagement