Variability of the American Monsoon SystemsVariability of the American Monsoon Systems

A WCRP/CLIVAR program focused on the climate of the Americas

Chair’s ReportChair’s Report

VPM10Santiago, Chile2-5 April 2006

J. Marengo & W. Higgins

ImplementationImplementation

Science ComponentsScience Components

• North American Monsoon Experiment (NAME)

• Monsoon Experiment in South America (MESA)

• VAMOS Oceans-Clouds-Atmosphere-Land Study (VOCALS)

Dataset DevelopmentDataset Development

• VAMOS Data Information Server

Project SupportProject Support

• VAMOS Support Center

VAMOS Program Structure

VAMOSMODELING

GROUP

VAMOSMODELING

GROUP

VAMOS PROJECT OFFICE

VAMOS PROJECT OFFICE

VAMOS Support Center

http://www.eol.ucar.edu/projects/vamos/

VAMOS Data Information ServerVAMOS Data Information Server

http://www.eol.ucar.edu/projects/vamos/data/

Implementation HighlightsImplementation Highlights• NAMENAME

• NAME 2004 data archive completed

• NAME Value Added products completed

• NAME diagnostic and modeling studies in progress (Special Issue of Journal of Climate)

• MESA MESA

• SALLJEX data analysis in progress and SALLJEX Value Added Products completed

• MESA SWG organized and Science Plan drafted

• Planning of the Phase B of the GEF Project for the La Plata Basin completed

•LPB SISG organized and Implementation Plan Drafted

•VOCALSVOCALS

• Plans for VOCALS-REX in the eastern Pacific underway

NORTH AMERICAN MONSOON EXPERIMENT (NAME)NORTH AMERICAN MONSOON EXPERIMENT (NAME)

YEAR (2000+) 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08

Planning --------------|

Preparations ---------------|

Data Collection - - - - - - --------|

Principal Research ---------------------------------|

Data Management -----------------------------------------|

HYPOTHESIS:HYPOTHESIS:The NAMS provides a physical basis for determining the degreeof predictability of warm seasonprecipitation over the region.

OBJECTIVES:OBJECTIVES:Better understanding andsimulation of:

• warm season convective processes in complex terrain (TIER I);

• intraseasonal variability of the monsoon (TIER II);

• response to oceanic and continental boundary conditions (TIER III);

• monsoon evolution and variability (TIER I, II, III).

Low-level (925 mb) winds and observed precipitation

What was the NAME 2004 What was the NAME 2004 Field Campaign?Field Campaign?

The NAME 2004 Field Campaign was an unprecedented opportunity to gather extensive atmospheric, oceanic, and land-surface observations in the core region of the North American Monsoon over NW Mexico, SW United States, and adjacent oceanic areas.

NAME 2006 AccomplishmentsNAME 2006 Accomplishments

Field Program and DatasetsField Program and Datasets NAME 2004 Data Archive (284 datasets; 0.5 TB) & Field Catalog (0.5M files)

completed at NCAR/EOLData Access: http://www.eol.ucar.edu/projects/name/

NAME Value Added Products completed (e.g. precipitation and upper-air composite datasets; multi-sensor SST analyses and land surface datasets)

Modeling and Applications Studies Modeling and Applications Studies Analysis of NAME 2004 field observations. Impact of NAME 2004 data on NCEP operational analyses. Assessments of global & regional model simulations of the 2004 monsoon (NAMAP2). Relative influence of oceanic & land surface bc’s on seasonal prediction (CPT)

NAME 2006 AccomplishmentsNAME 2006 Accomplishments

Journal ArticlesJournal Articles Gutzler et al, 2005: The North American Monsoon Model Assessment Project (NAMAP). Bull. Amer. Met. Soc

(Oct 05)

Higgins et al. 2006: The NAME 2004 Field campaign and Modeling Strategy. Bull. Amer. Met. Soc (Jan 06)

Special Issue of Journal of Climate on NAMESpecial Issue of Journal of Climate on NAME 22 papers on NAME 04 & NAME diagnostic and modeling studies (mid 2007)

ReportsReports

SWG 7.5 Meeting Report (Dec 2005) SWG 8 Meeting Report (Oct 06) NAME Modeling and Data Assimilation White Paper - updated

MeetingsMeetings NAME Data Analysis and SWG-7 Meeting (Mexico City, MX, Mar 05) NAME SWG 7.5 Meeting (State College PA, Oct 05) NAME SWG 8 Meeting / CPPA PI Meeting (Tucson, AZ, Aug 06) NAME SWG 9 Meeting / AGU/UGM Joint meeting (Acapulco, MX, May 07).

Update on NAME MilestonesUpdate on NAME Milestones

FY04 – Implement NAME 2004 Field Experiment.(COMPLETED)

FY05 – Evaluate impact of data from NAME 2004 on operational analyses. (COMPLETED)

FY06 – Assess global and regional model simulations of the 2004 North American monsoon

(NAMAP -II). (IN PROGRESS)

FY07 – Evaluate impact of changes in model parameterization schemes (NAME CPT).

(IN PROGRESS)

FY08 – Quantify the relative influence of oceanic and land surface boundary conditions on

simulations of the NAME 2004 monsoon (NAME Tier 3) (IN PROGRESS)

FY08 – Measure improvements in model simulations of monsoon onset and variability.

FY09 – Implement recommended changes to operational climate prediction systems to improve

the skill of warm season precipitation forecasts.

Unresolved / Emerging IssuesUnresolved / Emerging Issues

• Improved quantification of the impact of NAME special observations, particularly precipitation, and their associated uncertainties on monsoon predictions.

• Improved understanding of the multi-scale linkages between local, regional and large scale forcing mechanisms.

• Better documentation and tracking of operational forecast skill for a range of models, timescales and spatial scales.

• Accelerated transfer of research into operations while improving the value of forecasts to regional stakeholders (NOAA Climate Test Bed)

• Continuation of operational soundings in Mexico.

SUMMARYSUMMARY

  NAME 2004 was a major field campaign during JJAS 2004

NAME 2004 data and field catalog are fully available:http://www.joss.ucar.edu/name/catalog/

NAME diagnostic and modeling studies will continue for the next several years and will help motivate needs for sustained observations and additional process studies.

NAME will deliver:

• Observing system design for monitoring and predicting the North American monsoon;

• More comprehensive understanding of North American summer climate variability and predictability;

• Strengthened scientific collaboration across Pan-America;• Measurably improved climate models that predict

North American summer precipitation months to seasons in advance.

 

YEAR (2001+) 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 …

SALLJEX Planning …-------|

SALLJEX Preparations -----------|

SALLJEX Data Collection -----------|

SALLJEX Post-field activities -------------|

PLATEX Planning ---------------------|

PLATEX Preparation ----------|

PLATEX Data Collection ?--------…

MESA Principal Research … ---------------------------------------------…

MESA Data Management --------------------------------------…

MONSOON EXPERIMENT SOUTH AMERICA (MESA)MONSOON EXPERIMENT SOUTH AMERICA (MESA)

HYPOTHESIS:The SAMS provides a physical basis fordetermining the degree of predictability on short- and long timescales over the region.

MESA PRIORITY RESEARCH AREAS (PRA):Better understanding andsimulation of:

• diurnal and mesoscale processes (PRA-I);

• intraseasonal variability (PRA-II)

• interannual and longer time variability (including ACC) (PRA-III)

• monsoon evolution and variability (PRAs-I, II, III).

MESA GOALS MESA GOALS  

The Monsoon Experiment in South America (MESA) an internationally coordinated joint CLIVAR-GEWEX program aimed at providing:

-a better understanding of the South American monsoon system and its variability,

-a better understanding of the role of that system in the global water cycle

-improved observational data sets, and

-improved simulation and prediction of the monsoon and regional water resources.

MESA OBJECTIVESMESA OBJECTIVESMESA is directed towards a better understanding and improved simulation of:

-Diurnal cycle and seasonal evolution of the SAMS-3-dimensional description of the low-circulation east of the Andes.-Mesoscale convective processes -Role of aerosols from biomass burning in SAMS -Dynamics of the SA see-saw pattern-ITCZ-SACZ interaction -Influence of MJO on SAMS-Relative roles of internal vs forced low-frequency variability -Land surface forcing – Impacts of land use change-Role of remote and local SST – South Atlantic-Global response to SAMS forcing -Sources and limits of predictability on SAMS region

MESA 2005 ACTIVITIES (1)MESA 2005 ACTIVITIES (1)

Field Programs and DatasetsField Programs and Datasets SALLJEX Data Base updated. SALLJEX Value Added Products (NCEP/NCAR reanalysis and CPTEC analyses enhanced

with SALLJEX data) Planning of the Phase B of the GEF Project for the La Plata Basin including:

Climate monitoring, field experiment PLATEX Development of climate change scenarios of regional climate and hydrology Diagnosis of impact of the land use change in the Basin

Diagnostic, Modeling and Applications Studies Diagnostic, Modeling and Applications Studies Synthesis of SALLJEX scientific results Diurnal cycle of precipitation Nature and predictability of intraseasonal oscillations in eastern South America. Improvement in model predictability in SAMS region using simple super-model ensemble Seasonal prediction model assessment in the SAMS region (joint activity with WGSIP) Assessment of the expected impact of climate change due to anthropogenic activities on the

functioning of the SAMS (Diagnostic studies using IPCC-AR4 simulations)

MESA 2005 ACTIVITIES (2)MESA 2005 ACTIVITIES (2)

Publications and ReportsPublications and Reports Vera, C.; J. Baez; M. Douglas; C. B. Emmanuel; J. Marengo; J. Meitin; M. Nicolini; J.

Nogues-Paegle; J. Paegle; O. Penalba; P. Salio; C. Saulo; M. A. Silva Dias; P. Silva Dias; and E. Zipser, 2005: The South American Low-Level Jet Experiment (SALLJEX), (BAMS, Jan 06)

Drafts of MESA Science Plan and La Plata Basin CSE Implementation Plan MESA SWG-1 Meeting Report Vera, C., W. Higgins, J. Amador, T. Ambrizzi, R. Garreaud, D. Gochis, D. Gutzler, D.

Lettenmaier, J. Marengo, C. R. Mechoso, J. Nogues-Paegle, P. L. Silva Dias, and C. Zhang, 2005: A Unified View of the American Monsoon Systems (Joint paper between NAME & MESA accepted for the special issue of the CLIVAR Conference in J. Climate).

MeetingsMeetings First LPB SISG Meeting (Guaratingueta, Brazil, September 2006) MESA SWG-1 Meeting (Mexico, DF, March 2005) SALLJEX special session at the Argentinean Meteorological Congress,

CONGREMET IX (Buenos Aires, October 2005) LPB GEF Project Preparation Meeting (Buenos Aires, May 2005) CLARIS-EU Project

MESA MILESTONESMESA MILESTONES

FY04: Quantitative information of the model errors in SALLJEX Evaluation of impact of SALLJEX data on analysis and forecasts Confirmation about the ability of the models to reproduce some of the

elements of the low-level circulation of the SAMS Preparation of GEF-PLATIN survey reports

FY05: SALLJEX Data Assimilation. Planning of LPB CSE monitoring activities. Assessment of the IPCC-AR4 simulations in the SAMS region. Preparation of the MESA Implementation Plan

MESA MILESTONESMESA MILESTONESFY06:

Completion of the MESA Implementation Plan Assessment of Seasonal prediction simulations in the SAMS region. Development of MESA climate indexes Seasonal simulation of SALLJEX season. Predictability of the SAMS associated with Atlantic SST simulations. Regional downscaling of IPCC-AR4 simulations (inc. climate change

projections) CLARIS0LPB

FY07: LPB monitoring implementation. Assessment of extreme event frequency changes in the regional climate

change scenarios for South America and their impact on agricultural activities.

FY08: Evaluate the impact of soil moisture in simulations and predictions. PLATEX implementation

…Ultimate goal: Integrated view of the American Monsoon Systems, related interhemispheric connection, monsoon predictability and prediction

MESA  deliverables include:

-More comprehensive understanding of South American climate variability and predictability and strengthened multinational scientific collaboration across South America;

-Strengthened multinational scientific collaboration across South America;

-Observing system design for monitoring and predicting the South American monsoon system;

-Measurably improved climate models that predict South American monsoon variability 

MESA DELIVERABLESMESA DELIVERABLES

MESA SUPPORTMESA SUPPORT

MESA has a strong international participation from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and USA (~70 principal scientists)

Funding for MESA activities provided by: NOAA/CPPA Program NSF National Funding Agencies of South America (Argentina, Brazil, Chile,

Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, ~$500K/y) European Commission (CLARIS, $200K/y) IAI (PROSUR, $200K/y) GEF (La Plata Basin, $3M/y, requested for observing system enhancement )

MONSOON EXPERIMENT IN SOUTH AMERICA (MESA) SCIENCE AND IMPLEMENTATION PLAN

Part 1: MESA Scientific ObjectivesPart 2: Scientific RationalePart 3: The MESA Program

3.1 PRAs Framework3.1.1 SAMS Life cycle 3.1.2 Diurnal and mesoscale variability3.1.3 Intraseasonal variability3.1.4 Interannual and interdecadal variability 3.1.5 Long-term climate variability and Climate Change

3.2 MESA Modeling and Data Assimilation 3.3 MESA and the South Atlantic 3.4 The MESA hydroclimatic component over La Plata Basin 3.5 Project structure and TimelinePart 4: MESA Field ComponentPart 5: Dataset development and Data managementPart 6: Programmatic Context

5.1 Project infrastructure 5.2 Education and Training5.3 Link with other programs

La Plata Basin (LPB) Program*La Plata Basin (LPB) Program*

• The LPB Science and Implementation Steering Group (SISG) was formed in April 2005

•LPB SISG: Co-chair for VAMOS/CLIVAR: Hugo Berbery, University of Maryland and Co-chair for GHP/GEWEX: M. Assuncao Silva Dias, CPTEC

• The first draft of the LPB Implementation Plan was completed in December 2005 and submitted to VAMOS and GHP for review.

• The first meeting of the LPB SISG was held in September 2006

* With CLIVAR and GEWEX endorsement

La Plata Basin (LPB) ProgramLa Plata Basin (LPB) Program

SISG Membership:

Argentina: 3Brazil: 7Paraguay: 1Uruguay: 2 ½US: 2 ½

Ex-officio: 2

Research Areas covered by the ISG:

Remote sensingRadar meteorologySurface processes/flux towersMesoscale ModelingMesoscale meteorologyHydrologic modelingClimate variabilityClimate change scenariosFlood risk and vulnerabilityWater resources management

La Plata Basin (LPB) main science questions:

What climatological and hydrological factors determine the frequency of occurrence and spatial extent of floods and droughts? 

How predictable is the regional weather and climate variability and its impact on hydrological, agricultural and social systems of the basin?

What are the impacts of global climate change and land use change on regional weather, climate, hydrology and agriculture? To what extent can their impacts be predicted?

La Plata Basin (LPB) science plan available at: www.atmos.umd.edu/~berbery/lpb

SST Anomalies(Atl & Pac)

SST Anomalies(Atl & Pac)

Land surface effects

Land surface effects

Climate changescenarios

Climate changescenarios

Extreme eventsExtreme events

Hydro-climatePrediction

Hydro-climatePrediction

La Plata Basin Priority areas

Variability and trends

Variability and trends

LPB Main research areas

* Improvement of hydrologic and climate models’ representation of land surface-atmosphere interactions

* Land surface contributions to hydroclimate predictive skill

* Development of coupled models at adequate resolutions for hydrologic purposes

* Better estimates of MCS precipitation

* Climate change scenarios (Vulnerability and adaptation)

* Impacts on the system’s hydrology

LPB Timeline (2005-2015)

2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

Build-up Phase

Monitoring

Field Experiment

Model calibrations, parameterizations

Predictability and Climate Change studies

Development of an integrated system

Implementation of LPB CSEImplementation of LPB CSE

•Data rescue efforts

•Hydro-climatic monitoring activities•A supersite•In situ soil moisture measurements•Flux Towers

•Field Experiment (PLATEX)•Doppler radar measurements•Aircraft soil moisture measurements•Flux towers

•Data management

•Modeling activities•Development of distributed hydrologic models•Coupled models•Data assimilation efforts

•Predictability and climate change assessments•Land cover/ Land use•Climate change scenarios and regional downscaling

http://www.eol.ucar.edu/projects/lpb

CLARIS A Europe-South America Network for Climate Change Assessment and Impact Studies

IAI Ecosystem, Biodiversity, Land Use and Cover, and Water Resources

CIC-GEFFramework Program for the sustainable management of the La Plata Basin water resources, In relation to climate variability and change

NCAR (NSF)Collaborations during Field Experiment

GEF-Supported Project for the La Plata Basin

Requesting Agency: United Nations Environment Program (UNEP)Local Exec Agency: Intergovernmental Coordinating Committee forLa Plata Basin (CIC), in co-operation with water agencies of Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay, and VAMOS/PLATINCurrent Status: The project was presented to GEF for final approval (tentatively by July 2006)Project Total Cost: GEF has placed $15M on Reserve; Countries andOther Sources may contribute 2:1 for a potential total of US $45M.

The LPB (former PLATIN) group had the responsibility of planning the Program component related with the prediction of hydrological impacts due climate variability and change. The plan includes (including development of climate and hydrologic scenarios for the Basin in the context of climate change, coordination, integration, and improvement of the operative systems for atmospheric and hydrological prediction (observing system improvement, conventional and remote sensing data assimilation, model transferability, etc.)

The participation of the CLIVAR-GEWEX Group in the GEF Program is unquestionably a great example of how WCRP science can be applied to solve societal needs, while at the same time it provides additional funding for climate monitoring, field campaigns, as well as regional database enhancement.

SWG: C. R. Mechoso (Chair), C. Bretherton, B. Huebert, J. McWilliams, O. R. Weller, H. Wijesekera,

S.P. Xie

Field Exp (US): C. Fairall, R. Wood Field Exp (Chile): J. Rutllant, O. Pizarro

VAMOS Project Office: J. Meitin

UCLA; U. Wash; U. Hawaii, U. Chile; U. Concepcion; IMARPE-Peru; GFDL; NCAR; NCEP; NOAA; WHOI

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Science objectives of VOCALS

• Improving the understanding and simulation of ocean budgets of heat, salinity, and nutrients in regions of strong upwelling, and of aerosol-cloud-drizzle interactions in the marine PBL.

• Elucidating the interactions between the SEP climate and remote climates.

• Characterizing and eliminating the systematic biases of coupled atmosphere-ocean GCMs.

VOCALSVOCALSGoal: Goal: to develop and promote scientific activities leading to

improved understanding, model simulations, and predictions of the southeastern Pacific (SEP) coupled ocean-atmosphere-land system, on diurnal to

interannual timescales.

Objectives:Objectives:• Improving the understanding and simulation of

aerosol-cloud-drizzle interactions in the marine PBL.

• Improving the understanding and simulation of the ocean budgets of heat, salinity, and nutrients in the SEP.

• Determining, and alleviating the systematic biases of atmosphere-ocean GCMs in the SEP.

• Elucidating and understanding interactions between SEP climate & remote climates.

VOCALS 2005 ACTIVITIESVOCALS 2005 ACTIVITIES• Apr 05 - Science and Implementation Plan revised; see

VOCALS website (www.joss.ucar.edu) (April 2005)

• Oct 05 - Ron Brown cruise to service WHOI buoy and collect data in SEP

• Oct 05 - Visit to Chilean Navy in Valparaiso (Chile) for logistical arrangements during VOCALS-REX in October 2007

• Dec 05 - Interagency Briefing on VOCALS at Washington DC, organized by US CLIVAR and with participation of NSF, NOAA, and NASA

• Jan 06 - VOCALS Session at AMS 2006 Annual Meeting

• Roberto Mechoso is current chair of VOCALS SWG

MODELING GROUP for VAMOS (MGV)MODELING GROUP for VAMOS (MGV)

OBJECTIVESOBJECTIVES• Develop VAMOS (Integrated) Modeling Implementation

Plan:– Assessment of Models (Integration NAME-MESA-

VOCALS) • Requires Collaboration / Integration between Research and

Operational Centers– Hypothesis Driven Numerical Experimentation– “Climate Process Team” Model

Development/Improvement Strategies

• Need Integration between Field Activities, Data Assimilation, Research Modeling and Operational Forecasting

VAMOS MODELING ISSUESVAMOS MODELING ISSUES

• The MGV requests guidance on how to vet and promote the VAMOS Modeling Plan (VMP) through international CLIVAR.

• VAMOS recognizes that the VMP, with respect to forecast verification, is relying heavily on WGSIP and COPES-TFSP activities and we want to make sure these activities are supported. This is a particular concern with respect to forecast data sharing.

• Some interaction with the IPCC community is emerging; however, SSG and JSC support of interactions with WGCM would be welcomed.

• SSG and JSC review of the modeling plan is welcomed.

MODELING ISSUESMODELING ISSUES• Basic “universal” problems relevant to NAMSBasic “universal” problems relevant to NAMS

– Poor simulation of warm season continental climates– Poor simulation of diurnal cycle (related to above)– Poor predictions of warm season precipitation

• Resolution issuesResolution issues– Need to resolve key phenomena– Application specific (e.g. regional impacts, extreme events)– Computational issues: need for long runs, large ensembles

• Physics issuesPhysics issues– Limitations of convection parameterizations, but intimately

linked to surface interactions, boundary layer, clouds, etc.– Schemes largely untested at high resolution

• Prediction issuesPrediction issues– Role of SSTs (especially other than ENSO)– Role of land surface feedbacks (strength, time scales)– Role of intraseasonal variability (e.g. MJO)– Seasonal differences in predictability– Current Level of Skill

VAMOS CROSS PANEL AND VAMOS CROSS PANEL AND WORKING GROUP LINKAGESWORKING GROUP LINKAGES

Atlantic Panel:Atlantic Panel: Limited progress, although there is some discussionregarding joint activities in the S. Atlantic (e.g. SW Atlantic convergence zone).

Pacific Panel: Pacific Panel: A Workshop on South Pacific Variability was held in Oct 2005 and VAMOS representative (Vera) participated. Joint model diagnostics

were discussed.

WGSIP:WGSIP: The interaction between both panels is strengthening and joint model output diagnostic activities are currently underway.

WGCM:WGCM: Although there has not been formal interaction, the VAMOS communityhas presented several diagnostic studies to the WGCM to evaluate

IPCC climate simulations.

CROSS WCRP/COPES LINKAGESCROSS WCRP/COPES LINKAGES

GEWEX:GEWEX: Strong relationship exists (NAME, LBA, and LPB) although it can be improved. Discussions with the GEWEX Project Office concerning VAMOS visibility in GEWEX are in progress.

THORPEX: THORPEX: Modeling experiments to improve forecast skills in the South America monsoon regions are being implemented with the participation of VAMOS scientists. Formal interactions between VAMOS and THORPEX are planned for the near future.

IAI:IAI: The links between VAMOS and IAI have increased and will be formalized in the near future. Several VAMOS scientists are members of the IAI/SAC, and the VAMOS scientific questions are now more explicitly described in the IAI scientific agenda

10th VAMOS PANEL MEETING2-5 April 2007, Santiago, Chile

OBJECTIVES:

Celebrate 10 years of VAMOS Progress

Advance the Science and Implementation plans for VOCALS VOCALS WorkshopVOCALS-REX field campaign in eastern tropical Pacific; methodologies for research; timeline of field program; relationships to other CLIVAR components.

Discuss MESA Restructuring and Progress MESA SWG; MESA Science and Implementation Plan; MESA Modeling; MESA

and the LPB CSE;

Discuss NAME Modeling Results Synthesis of Scientific Results from NAME 2004 Field Campaign; NAME Modeling and Data Assimilation Activities

Discuss New Directions for VAMOSMGV progress on VAMOS Integrated Modeling PlanIASCLIP Program

VAMOS STRATEGYVAMOS STRATEGY (C.. Roberto Mechoso, VAMOS Chair (1997-2004))

Five outstanding aspects:Five outstanding aspects:

1. Identification of a unifying science theme• American Monsoon Systems

2. Structure based on science programs of broad interest• Spectacular Examples: SALLJEX and NAME 04

• VAMOS Panel framed the climate context

3. Implementation based on individuals with vested interests• Activities carried out by International Teams

4. Panel membership based on strong, active people• Champions endowed with VAMOS Panel Support

5. Constant updating of the milestones for success

VAMOS LEGACYVAMOS LEGACY

1. A vibrant international community performing coordinated research on the climate and hydrology of the Americas, sensitive to the leading concerns of the international research community and to the needs of the weather, climate and hydrology regional prediction centers.

2. Guidelines for an improved climate monitoring network spanning the Americas and the tropical Oceans.

3. Enhanced scientific infrastructure in the region, particularly in the less advanced countries

4. A comprehensive, updated, and accessible database for the climate and hydrology in the Americas, available on the VAMOS data Information Server site: (www.joss.ucar.edu/vamos/data)