4 th WCRP Observations and Assimilation Panel Meeting Hamburg, Germany, March 29-31, 2010 1 Workshop on Ensuring Access and Trustworthiness of Climate

4th WCRP Observations and Assimilation Panel MeetingHamburg, Germany, March 29-31, 2010

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Workshop on Ensuring Access and

Trustworthiness of Climate Observations

and Models for SocietyMarch 9-10, 2010

National Climatic Data CenterAsheville, NC


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• CMIP a success for access to model output

• Something needed for observational data sets

Motivation


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• Convene scientists with experience in– Modeling– Observations– Access

• Invite those involved with societal impacts

• Include about 30 participants• Coordinate with GEO, WOAP, etc.

Scope


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• Process for facilitating access to observational data sets

• Technical enhancements to standards for discovery, exchange, and use

• Identification of needs for societal impact studies

Expected Outcomes


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Linkages


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• Improved access and documentation of observational data sets for the CMIP5 and the next IPCC

Topic 1


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• Recognition of the need for more formal documentation of observational data sets

• Improvements as an iterative process between data set producers and users

• Identify pathfinder data sets that map to CMIP5

Topic 1: Discussion


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• Waliser example (JPL)• “Provide the community of researchers

that will access and evaluate the CMIP5 model results access to analogous sets of observational data.”– Periods, variables, temporal/spatial frequency– Coordinated with WOAP– Directly engage the observational science teams

Topic 1: Approach


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• Main tasks– Work with modeling/observational communities to

identify data sets– Work with observational teams to produce 2-3 page

technical documents (e.g., dos/don’ts, uncertainties)– Organize data sets and provide access in a fashion

that parallels the model archive– Advertise the availability of the observations for use

in CMIP5 analysis

Topic 1: Approach


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• Action 1 (Bates, Easterling, …)– Identify potential data sets– Convert to standard grids (if possible)– Convert to standard CF compliant NetCDF for ESG– Provide documentation

• Action 2 (Vose and Taylor)– Report results to WOAP– Seek feedback

Topic 1: Actions


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• Adoption of common metrics for model and observational data sets

Topic 2


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Proposed CMIP5 Model Runs

Core, tier 1, tier 2 Details on core, tier 1


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• Rigorous metrics for the evaluation of observational data exist (e.g., maturity index)

• Provide mechanism for the development of common metrics for models and observations

Topic 2: Approach


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• Action 3 (Taylor)– Establish connection with CMIP5 Model Metrics Group

to establish a feedback loop with the observation leads from Action 1

– Report in summer 2010

Topic 2: Actions


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• Societal impacts studies to establish linkages with the climate observation and modeling communities

Topic 3


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• Summary of recent meetings on regional assessments, next U.S. assessment

• Discussion about use of CMIP5 in societal impact studies

• Agreement that CMIP5 resolution too coarse, standardized downscaling approaches needed

Topic 3: Discussion


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• “Waple” guidelines– Identification of relevant data– Transparency and credibility of data– Accessibility for multiple users– Tutorials and education for appropriate use– Layer of physical, socioeconomic, biological data, etc.– Visualization for assessments

Topic 3: Approach


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• Action 4 (Waple, Bates, Easterling)– Identify select set of impacts use cases (Summer

2010)– Follow each end-to-end– Establish feedback between use cases and data

providers– Publish results to serve as templates for the future

Topic 3: Actions


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• Emerging technology to support a National Climate Services Infrastructure

Topic 4


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• Recognition of reliance upon IT infrastructure from Unidata (NetCDF, CF) and DOE ESG

• No need to transition to an operational agency

• Some useful recommendations in order• GCOS guidelines helpful in observations

metadata

Topic 4: Discussion


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• Satellite– Build on NCDC’s contribution to the CF effort

(hopefully becomes part of CF 1.5)• Models/reanalyses/gridded observations

– Should be brought into ESG framework• In situ

– Recognition that mature, adequate standards/protocols do not yet exist

Topic 4: Approach


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• No actions at this time

Topic 4: Actions

Documents

4 th WCRP Observations and Assimilation Panel Meeting Hamburg, Germany, March 29-31, 2010 1 Workshop on Ensuring Access and Trustworthiness of Climate