Potential role of WMO

in Space Weather

Jerome LAFEUILLE

WMO Space Programme OfficeWorld Meteorological Organization

Geneva

25th European Space Weather Week, Brussels, 17 -21 November 2008

Outline

1. WMO in brief

2. Relevance of Space Weather for WMO

3. Council decision to involve WMO in Space Weather activities

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World Meteorological Organization in brief

• Specialized organization of the United Nations for Weather, Water and related Climate issues

• 188 Members (states or territories) grouped in 6 Regions• Secretariat in Geneva

Governing bodies• Congress, Executive Council, Regional Associations• Technical Commissions

– Commission for Basic Systems (CBS)

– Commissions for Instruments and Methods of Observation (CIMO)

– for Atmospheric Sciences (CAS), Climatology (CCl), Hydrology (CHy)

– for Aeronautical Meteorology (CAeM), Agricultural Meteorology (CAgM)

– Joint Commission for Oceanography & Marine Meteorology (JCOMM)

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Core activity of WMO

• Coordination of observation, data exchange, modelling, warning and forecasting services

– WMO Integrated Global Observing Systems (WIGOS)

– WMO Information Systems ( WIS)

• Cooperation and capacity building

• Applications

Routine weather forecasting

Hydro-meteorological disasters or severe weather warning

Meteorological support to aviation, marine, agriculture, energy

Climate monitoring and forecasting

Water resource management and flood forecasting

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Space Weather: a new domain for WMO

• Effects of solar eruptive events on the near-Earth environment

• Solar radiation storms, high-energy particles (protons)

• Ionospheric and geomagnetic storms

• Radio black-outs by X-Ray photons

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Relevance to WMO activities

• Impacts on satellites and radio communications, major operational meteorological infrastructure Increasing need to monitor and manage this risk

(RUSSIAN FEDERATION)

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Relevance to WMO activities

• Impacts on satellites and radio communications, major operational meteorological infrastructure Increasing need to monitor and manage this risk

• Emerging capability to issue operational Space Weather warnings avoiding losses to aviation, telecom, satellite-based positioning, energy distribution

Opportunity for an active role of WMO in synergy with delivery of meteorological services

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Institutional aspects

• No United Nations Organization is specifically in charge of Space Weather operational coordination

• Space Weather community (ISES) asked for support from WMO

• Several National Meteorological Services have responsibility in Space Weather

• WMO has strong interaction with partners such as ITU and ICAO

WMO could play a useful role to support international coordination in Space Weather

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• In response to WMO Congress and “Consultative Meeting” on space policy

• Drafted in cooperation with ISES (April 2008)

• Describes economic impact

• Potential scope, cost and benefit of WMO coordination

• Analysis suggests high benefit / cost

Preliminary report Potential role of WMO in Space Weather

www.wmo.int/pages/prog/sat/Refdocuments.html#SpaceWeather

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60th Council (June 2008) (1/2)

Endorsed the principle of WMO activities in support of international coordination in Space Weather

Space Weather beyond core business of WMO, shall be funded by external resources

Opportunity to strengthen link between National Meteorological Services and Space Weather services (when different)

Work plans to be developed by Commission for Basic Systems (CBS) and Commission for Aeronautical Meteorology (CAeM)

Cooperation with ISES, UN-COPUOS, ICAO, ITU, IMO

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60th Council (June 2008) (2/2)

• Agreed that WMO should focus on:

• Harmonization of observation within the WIGOS

• Definition of products in interaction with major users

• Data exchange and product delivery through the WIS

• Issuance of warnings in a multi-hazard approach

• Encouraging dialogue between research and operational communities.

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Immediate Steps

• Mobilize WMO Members, primarily where Space Weather is addressed by the NMHS

• Identify extra-budgetary resources with ISES Member countries for Secretariat activities

– Financial,

– Secondment of staff (NOAA made an offer)

• Inform international partners and establish p.o.c.

– COPUOS, ICAO, ITU, IMO

• Establish joint Commission (CAeM and CBS) to develop work plan in consultation with relevant organisations (primarily ISES)

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Thank you !