IPWGs Update to the CEOS Precipitation Constellation (PC)

International PrecipitationWorking GroupRalph FerraroNOAA/NESDISCollege Park, MD USA

Chris KiddThe University of Birmingham Birmingham, United Kingdom Presented by Phil ArkinCICS/Univ. of Maryland, College Park, MD USA

OutlinePast year accomplishmentsMembershipSpecialty workshopsIPWG#4 statusIPWG toolsIPWG activities that can support CEOS PCSummary

Recent Accomplishments Measuring Precipitation from Space published in 2007 (Levizzani and Turk, editors)Maintain and update web page (Levizzani)Membership update, promotion, and expansionSpecialty meetingsPEHRPPIWSSMPresentations at scientific forumsAMS/Eumetsat Satellite ConferenceEGUAMS Annual MeetingSeminars at academic institutionsPreparation for IPWG-4

IPWG Membership UpdateAnyone can participate!Original focus was operational agenciesMost recent workshop, about 50% research communityNearly 30 nations are involved!North America USA, Canada, MexicoCentral America Costa RicaEurope Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Poland, Spain, Sweden, U.K.Asia China, Japan, S. Korea, TaiwanSouth America Argentina, Brazil, PeruAfrica S. AfricaAustraliaInterest recently received from Egypt, India, Nepal, Mozambique, Russia, Turkey

IPWG Specialty WorkshopsThese are held based on recommendations from the bi-annual IPWG workshopsProgram for the Evaluation of High Resolution Precipitation Products (PEHRPP)December 2007, Geneva, SwitzerlandInternational Workshop on Space-based Snowfall Measurement (IWSSM)1st October 2005, Madison, WI2nd April 2008, Steamboat Springs, CO

1st Workshop on the Program for the Evaluation of High Resolution Precipitation Products (PEHRPP) 3-5 December 2007, WMO, Geneva 40 attendees from 12 countries Presentations and working group reports on applications, validation and error metrics

1st PEHRPP WorkshopRecommendations to the International Precipitation Working Group (IPWG) included:Establish an Evaluation Science TeamConduct a formal inter-comparison HRPPs through the IPWGEstablish an error metrics working groupEncourage HRPP developers to further develop error metrics

Workshop report submitted to Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society

2nd International Workshop on Space-based Snowfall Measurement (IWSSM)Hosted by DRI Storm Peak Lab in Steamboat Springs, CO, April 1-4, 2008Approximately 50 scientists from 8 nations in attendanceRevisit status of the remote sensing and modeling of snowfall since 1st workshop (10/05)Topical areas Global estimation, Applications, New technology, Modeling (RTM and CRM), and Validation Unique format for WGsSeveral good recommendations generatedOutcome to be documented in BAMS, EOS, etc.

Bi-Annual IPWG WorkshopsIPWG-1: September 2002, INM, Madrid, SpainIPWG-2: October 2004, NRL, Monterey, USIPWG-3: October 2006, Bureau of Meteorology, AustraliaIPWG-4: October 2008 (National Satellite Meteorological Center, Beijing, China)Program being developedMore time being considered for WGs than previous workshops2nd Circular anticipated in June

IPWG Developed ToolsSatellite algorithmsInventorySimple Software packagesIR basedMW basedRadiative Transfer modelValidationSoftware Package24-hr regional verificationUseful links and information

IPWGs Potential Role in CEOS PC (1/2)Facilitate activities related to CEOS PC that have gained broader IPWG supportStandardization of MW radiometer calibration and inter-calibration measurementsCommunity radiative transfer modelsCommunity cloud resolving model data setsCommon retrieval algorithmsCommon validation methodologies and data sets

Promote necessary actions required from space agencies via CGMS to improve satellite precipitation retrievalsL0 sensor information and historyFree and open data exchangesFuture mission plans; can we help with precipitation requirements?

IPWGs Potential Role in CEOS PC (2/2)Provide cordial forum to improve precipitation retrievals, their validation and applicationsAlgorithm intercomparisons (e.g., PEHRPP)Standard validation template, expansion of routinely available data, and open participation to algorithm providersPromote application needs and applicationsParticipation with JCSDA

Develop training for and encourage new advances for current and emerging space agenciesIPWG web page for algorithms, data set information, etc.Sponsor workshops (as per IPWG recommendations) and training activities (at bi-annual IPWG)Participate at as many relevant meetingsEncourage broader international participationDefine logical linkages between IPWG and CEOS

SummaryThe IPWG strongly endorses the activities of the CEOS PC and concur with philosophy as expressed in:CEOS Precipitation Constellation (PC) 2008 Work PlanCEOS PC 10-year Implementation Plan

IPWG can help out in many areas to further enhance the success of the PC