THE NORTH AMERICAN MONSOON EXPERIMENT (NAME)

•NAME Science and Implementation Plan: NAME Science and Implementation Plan: http://www.joss.ucar.edu/name/http://www.joss.ucar.edu/name/

Briefing for the CLIVAR SSC July 17, 2002

NAME Science Working Group

U.S. CLIVAR ISSUES FOR NAME

1. What is the relative balance of activities between CLIVAR and GEWEX?

2. How will NAME contribute to the improvement of global climate models?

3. How will advances in seasonal prediction be pursued?

4. Has NAME developed partnerships between observationalists and climate modelers to improve the representation of key processes in coupled climate models?

5. How will NAME address regional-scale (Tier 2) and continental-scale (Tier 3) warm-season precipitation variability and predictability?

OUTLINE1. OVERVIEW

– What is NAME?– Balance of Activities

• CLIVAR/PACS interests in NAME• GEWEX/GAPP interests in NAME

– Project Structure/Timeline

2. NAME MODELING AND DIAGNOSTIC STUDIES– Predictive Capabilities / Science Issues / Observational Needs

• Global Modeling – Observations Team• Regional Modeling – Observations Team

– Additional Issues and Opportunities• Satellite Precipitation Estimation (TRMM/GPM) and NAME

3. NAME FIELD CAMPAIGN– Observational Network– International Partnerships

WHAT IS NAME?

NAME is an internationally coordinated, joint CLIVAR – GEWEX process study aimed at determining the sources and limits of predictability of warm season precipitation over North America.

NORTH AMERICAN MONSOON EXPERIMENT (NAME)

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

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

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

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

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

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

HYPOTHESISThe NAMS provides a physical

basis for determining the degree ofpredictability of warm seasonprecipitation over the region.

Intraseasonal Variability

Boundary Forcing?

Topographic and Sea-Land Influence

OBJECTIVES:Better understanding andsimulation of:

• warm season convective processes in complex terrain (TIER I); • intraseasonal variability of the monsoon (TIER II);• response of warm season circulation and precipitation to slowly varying boundary conditions (SST, soil moisture) (TIER III);• monsoon evolution and variability (TIER I, II, III).

NAME IMPLEMENTATION

• Empirical and modeling studies that carry forward the joint PACS/GAPP Warm Season Precipitation Initiative (2000 onward), and initiate new elements.

• NAME Field Campaign (JJAS 2004) including build-up, field, analysis and modeling phases.

NAME STATUS

• NAME has been endorsed by the WCRP/CLIVAR Variability of the American Monsoons (VAMOS) Panel as the North American Implementation of VAMOS.

• The US CLIVAR Pan American Panel has formally recommended that US CLIVAR join with US GEWEX/GAPP and VAMOS to implement NAME as a warm season process study of the North American Monsoon.

• NAME is a part of the GEWEX/GAPP Science and Implementation plan, with emphasis on topographic influences on precipitation, hydrology and water resources, and land-surface memory processes.

CLIVAR / PACS NAMS Research

• Established enhanced PIBAL upper air sounding network in Mexico and Central America;

• Developed improved satellite and in-situ surface climate, precipitation, and upper air data sets;

• Implemented real time monsoon monitoring at CPC;

• Investigated monsoon climatology and SST-monsoon relationships.

PACS/GAPP North American Warm Season Precipitation Projects

• Examining the relative influence of ocean and land surface processes;

• Investigating the inverse relationship between precipitation in core monsoon region and over central US*;

• Studying antecedent winter influence on monsoon strength*;

• Evaluating influence of InterAmericas Seas warm pool variability;

• Establishing enhanced raingauge network in Mexico.

CLIVAR/PACS Interests in NAME

• To obtain a better understanding and more realistic simulation of the continental-scale NAM and its variability (emphasis on b.c’s);

• To demonstrate that observed connections between the leading patterns of climate variability (e.g. ENSO, MJO) and the monsoon are captured in climate models;

• To develop partnerships between NAME observationalists and model development experts to improve the representation of key processes in coupled climate models;

• To advance the development of the climate observing system in southwestern North America and Central America.

GEWEX / GAPP Components

Predictability in LandSurface Processes

Hydrometerology Orographic Systems

Predictability inMonsoonal Systems

Integration of Predictability IntoPrediction Systems

Testing of Models in Special Climate Regimes

CEOP: Data and Studies for Model Development

Use of Predictions forWater Resource

Management

GAPP-NAME GOAL

The GAPP-NAME goal is to determine the sources and limits of predictability of warm season precipitation over North America, with emphasis on the role of the land surface.

GAPP INTERESTS IN NAME

Fine resolution, gauge-only and satellite/gauge merged precipitation products (e.g. for LDAS, Regional Reanalysis and model validation studies);

The role of land in the onset and intensity of the monsoon;

The role of NAMS in the variability of the water budget components over the US and Mexico;

Improved understanding of summer orographic precipitation processes.

NAME PROJECT STRUCTURE

• 3-Pronged

– NAME Science Working Group (Science Focus)

– VAMOS / NAME Project Office (Field Implementation, Data Management, Logistics)

– NAME Program Management (Agencies that fund NAME)

NAME SCIENCE WORKING GROUP• NAME science is managed by a SWG that has been approved by

the CLIVAR/VAMOS and CLIVAR Pan American panels in consultation with U.S. GEWEX.

• The SWG Develops and leads research to achieve NAME objectives

• The NAME SWG members:

Jorge Amador, Univ. of Costa Rica Rene Lobato, IMTA, MexicoHugo Berbery, UMD José Meitín, NOAA/ NSSLRit Carbone, NCAR Chet Ropelewski, IRIMiguel Cortez, SMN,Mexico Jae Schemm, NOAA/CPCArt Douglas, Creighton Univ. Siegfried Schubert, NASAMichael Douglas, NOAA/NSSL Jim Shuttleworth, UAZDave Gutzler, UNM Dave Stensrud, NOAA/NSSLWayne Higgins, NOAA/CPC (Chair) Chidong Zhang, RSMAS

VAMOS / NAME PROJECT OFFICEVAMOS / NAME

PROJECT OFFICE

1. Program Planning and Field Implementation: Provide the infrastructure for effective design and implementation of the NAME Field Campaign, including management of field operations.

2. Scientific Data Management: Provide all facets of data collection and dissemination of information for the NAME Program.

3. Logistics: Provide specialized logistics support specifically for the effective implementation of the NAME Field Campaign, including administrative support, workshop coordination and outreach (e.g. webpage, logo)

(Leader: C. B. Emmanuel)(Leader: C. B. Emmanuel)

NAME TIMELINEPHASE 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08Planning -------------|Build-Up -------------|Data Collection - - - - ------------|Principal Research ------------------------------|Data Management -------------------------------------|

Workshop/Conf. Planning (25th CDPW) XSWG (26th CDPW) XSWG (VPM5) XSWG (27th CDPW) X * *Science Workshop XScience Conference X

NAME MODELING AND DIAGNOSTIC STUDIES

GOALS:

• Help specify a “ramp-up” strategy for the NAME Field Campaign.

• Provide guidance on needs and priorities for NAME field observations.

• Identify sustained observational requirements for climate models.

• Identify additional process studies necessary to reduce uncertainties in climate models.

NAME TEAMS

• The predictive capabilities, science issues and observational needs of the global and regional/hybrid modeling communities are different. [NEXT]

• In response to this, NAME has organized two teams that preserve the modeling-observations linkage for both communities.

• This is a strategy to integrate modeling needs for improved warm season precipitation prediction into the planning for NAME observational efforts.

• The teams consist of observationalists and modelers with vested interests in specific high-priority issues.

• These teams are flexible and can evolve with the CPT concept.

• The NAME teams are small and relatively focused. Currently setting goals tied to the 2004 NAME Field Campaign.

GENERAL CIRCULATION MODELS

PREDICTIVE CAPABILITIES: • Some descriptive / predictive ability has been demonstrated in the core monsoon region, but with significant shortcomings.

SCIENCE ISSUES:• To understand why some models give predictability in the core monsoon region.• To diagnose / correct weaknesses.

OBSERVATIONAL NEEDS:• Document basic climatology [esp. precipitation] at appropriate spatial / temporal scales (including the mean diurnal cycle).• Give guidance on weaknesses in convective / boundary layer parameterizations [radar / radiosondes / profilers].

NAME GCM-OBS TEAM

In response to these needs, NAME has organized a team (Siegfried Schubert, chair) In response to these needs, NAME has organized a team (Siegfried Schubert, chair) that links NAME observational efforts to that links NAME observational efforts to climate model development at climate model development at GFDL/NASA/NOAA. GFDL/NASA/NOAA.

This team preserves the modeling-observations linkage for NAME and forms the This team preserves the modeling-observations linkage for NAME and forms the core of a "Climate Process Team”.core of a "Climate Process Team”. Currently unfunded; proposal submitted.Currently unfunded; proposal submitted.

INITIAL FOCUS: Warm Season Diurnal Cycle over the US and Mexico in AGCM’s

PI’s Affiliation Key role------------------------- ---------- --------Siegfried Schubert (lead) NASA/GSFC lead and link to NAMEMax Suarez NASA/GSFC focus on NSIPP modelArun Kumar NOAA/CPC focus on NCEP modelIsaac Held NOAA/GFDL focus on GFDL model

NAME GCM-OBS TEAMSTRATEGY:

(1) Assess quality of diurnal cycle in several AGCMs; focus on convective / PBL parameterizations.

(2) Examine relationships between diurnal circulation and monsoon precipitation:* behavior of the parameterizations

(3) Assess the impact of resolution (from 2° lat/lon to about ¼° lat/lon).

(4) Carry out process-oriented sensitivity experiments * role of convection and PBL in shaping the diurnal cycle.

(5) Exploit observations from NAME as well as ARM and NASA Aqua (especially profile information) to validate parameterizations.

(6) Define new observational requirements for improving the parameterizations.

• Conclusion: global models have some worthwhile predictive capability in the core monsoon region, but we need to understand why.

• These models were driven with observed SST, so this is potential predictability given SST. It does not include any potential predictability one my gain from knowing the land surface boundary conditions.

Correlation between ensemble mean and observed precipitation anomalies (JJA 65-97)

NCEP-MRF9 GSFC-NSIPP CCM 3.2

ANALYZED AND SIMULATED (850-MB WIND AND 200-MB STREAMLINES)

EXPERIMENT: Ensembles of 10 / 6 month simulations (May-Oct 1979-2000) with climatological (left) and NCEP reanalysis II (right) soil moisture IC’s using NCEP/MRF; May IC’s.CONCLUSION:The location of the monsoon anticyclone is sensitive to initialized soil moisture.

Schemm, Zhou and Higgins (2002)

REGIONAL / HYBRID MODELS

PREDICTIVE CAPABILITIES: • Significant descriptive / predictive ability in “predictive” mode. • Substantial ability to document the NAM when operating in “analysis” mode.

SCIENCE ISSUES:• To improve the representation of convective precipitation, especially in complex terrain.

OBSERVATIONAL NEEDS:• Improved precipitation observations [gauge, remote sensing] that resolve the diurnal cycle, that sample the topographic influence and that are distributed and integrated.• Investigate topography-induced circulations [radar].• Document the low-level wind / moisture fields [radiosondes 4-6 times per day]

NAMAP is the basis for a second NAME team focused on theNAMAP is the basis for a second NAME team focused on the modeling-observations link for the regional / hybrid models. modeling-observations link for the regional / hybrid models.

NAME RMM-OBS TEAMSTRATEGY:

(2) Document ability of models to simulate the life cycle and intensity of the monsoon - NAMAP.

(3) Examine topographic influence on convective precipitation. * behavior of the parameterizations

(3) Compare existing parameterization schemes and models using NAME observations for validation.

(4) Improve physical parameterizations (e.g. convection/boundary layer) that influence precipitation, with a focus on defining the relationship of such

parameterizations to topography.

(5) Define new observational requirements for improving the parameterizations

NORTH AMERICAN MONSOON ASSESSMENT PROJECT (NAMAP)

STRATEGY:

• NAMAP Phase I (D. Gutzler, Chair)– Document ability of models to simulate the NAMS (JJAS 1990). – Protocols (domain, boundary conditions, output format, simulated variables) defined by

the modeling community during 2001.– Hosted by the NAME Project Office at UCAR/JOSS:

http://www.joss.ucar.edu/name/namap

• NAMAP is currently unfunded and voluntary. Current Participants:– Liang (MM5, WRF) Schemm (NCEP MRF)– Mo (RSM) Schubert (NASA NSIPP)– Mitchell / Yang (ETA) Liz Ritchie / Dave Gutzler (MM5)– Kanamitsu (ECPC/RSM) Peter Fawcett– Fox Rabinovitz (NASA Hybrid)– Hahmann (MM5)– Castro / Pielke (RAMS)

• Preliminary results will be presented at 27th Climate Diagnostics and Prediction Workshop, George Mason University.

• The GOC LLJ may often be located over the coastal plain, not over the GOC. However, the LLJ may be mixed with the sea-breeze circulation, so semantics may be involved.

• This may be a useful hypothesis to test with the NAME in situ sounding network

EDAS 925-hPa MOISTURE FLUX AND NASA 3-H PRECIPITATION (JAS 1998-2001)

Berbery et al. (2002)

Cumulative Rainfall-Runoff in SMO Basin

GRELL KAIN-FRITSCH

(MM5 simulations; July 1999; Chen and Dudhia land surface )

• Surface runoff is more correlated with individual precip events of sufficient intensity than monthly total precipitation.• This is a critical issue for those seeking to enhance monthly-to-seasonal predictability of water resources. NAME will investigate.

precip

runoff

precip

runoff

Gochis and Shuttleworth (2002)Gochis and Shuttleworth (2002)

KEY QUESTIONS FOR NAME TEAMS

• How well is the life cycle of the monsoon (onset, maintenance and demise) simulated and predicted?

• What are the links, if any, between the strength of the monsoon in SW North America and summertime precipitation over the central US?

• Can models reproduce the observed summertime precipitation in average years and years with ENSO influence?

• How is the evolution of the warm season precipitation regime related to the seasonal evolution of continental and oceanic boundary conditions?

CONTINENTAL-SCALE PRECIPITATION PATTERN

• The continental-scale precipitation pattern is characterized by

– an out-of-phase relationship between the U.S. Southwest and the U.S. Great Plains.

– an in-phase relationship between the U.S. Southwest and the U.S. Southeast.

• Phase reversals in this pattern are related to the onset and decay of the monsoon

ONSET OF THE SUMMER RAINS(July – June 1971-2000)

• Changes in the tropospheric circulation and divergence (mean vertical motion) are broadly consistent with changes in the continental-scale precipitation pattern:

– SW: enhanced DIV, VVEL and PRECIP– GP: suppressed DIV, VVEL and PRECIP

H

CHANGE IN OBSERVED PRECIPITATION [MM DAY-1] CHANGE IN 200 hPA WIND [MS-1] AND DIV[10-6 S-1]

Higgins et al. (1997)

INTERANNUAL VARIABILITY(OBSERVATIONS)

• Simultaneous– The continental-scale precipitation pattern is a continental-

scale pattern of interannual variability. Anomalously wet (dry) summers in the Southwest U.S. tend to be accompanied by dry (wet) summers in the U.S. Great Plains.

• Antecedent– Wet (dry) summers in the Southwest U.S. often follow

winters characterized by dry (wet) conditions in the Southwest U.S. and wet (dry) conditions in the Northwest U.S.

COMPOSITE MEAN PRECIPITATION OVER AZ AND NM FOR WET, DRY AND ALL MONSOONS (1963-2000)

ONSET

Note: No signal

WINTER SPRING SUMMER

Higgins e t al. (1998)

Higgins et al. (1998)

COMPOSITE SUMMER (JJAS) 200-MB WIND, 200-MB

STREAMFUNCTION AND PRECIPITATION ANOMALIES*

El Niño features:upper-level easterly wind anomalies southward shifted ITCZupper-level anticyclonic couplet enhanced local Hadley circulation lower-level westerly wind anomalies dry conditions over Mexico

* Shading indicates anomalies greater than 0.25 mm day-1 10

Higgins et al. (1999)

ADDITIONAL ISSUES / OPPORTUNITIES

POTENTIAL ROLE OF NAME IN TRMM/GPM POTENTIAL ROLE OF NAME IN TRMM/GPM

ISSUE:• Satellite estimates of precipitation in complex terrain are often inaccurate.

OPPORTUNITIES:• NAME will collect new precipitation data [gauge, radar], so it is a “campaign of opportunity” for TRMM and GPM validation of satellite estimates of precipitation in complex terrain.

• TRMM/GPM can leverage NAME observations for algorithm development.

OBSERVATIONAL NEEDS:• Orographic influences on precipitation [gauge, radar].• Radar estimates of precipitation over the Gulf of California and nearby areas of the Pacific.

NAME FIELD CAMPAIGN

Radar/Profiling/Radiosondes

Enhanced Precipitation

Gauge NetworkR.V. Ron Brown

Radiosondes/PIBALS

BUILD-UP PHASE

(1) Establish VAMOS / NAME Project Office for design and implementation of the NAME Field Campaign, data management, and logistics support.

(2) Establish NAME cooperative teams for global model-observations and regional model – observations linkages.

(3) Plan, integrate and implement NAME networks and conduct site surveys.

“Ramp-up” activities in the region.

(4) Build National and International NAME Partnerships.

(5) Develop an effective education and training program in the region (US

activities, International activities).

NAME ENHANCED OBSERVATION PERIOD (JJAS 2004)

(1) Conduct EOP for a period of 4 summer months (JJAS) to coincide with the peak monsoon season and maximum diurnal variability.

(2) Conduct Intensive Observing Period (IOP) of up to one month (mid-July to mid-August) within the EOP during which time all networks are operational.

• 90 new event logging gauges, indicated by red and blue dots, in SW-NE transects to sample gradients in rainfall from the GOC to the SMO.

Shuttleworth, Watts, Garatuza-Payan, Gochis (2001)

RAINGAUGE NETWORK

NAME RAINGAUGE NETWORK DESIGN(OBJECTIVES)

(1) To improve estimates of the diurnal cycle and topographic variation of precipitation in the core region of the NAM.

(2) To facilitate hydrologically relevant diagnostic studies, including

- intensity-duration-frequency analyses

- rainfall accumulation spatial structure

- spatial structure of mean rainfall

(3) To facilitate modeling studies that use the new data to investigate, validate and improve the parameterization of precipitation processes in models.

(1) The amplitude of the diurnal cycle in the core monsoon region is larger than the amplitude of the annual cycle.

(2) There are large-scale shifts in the regions of deep convection during the day from over land to over water.

(3) There is large intraseasonal and interannual variability of the diurnal cycle, but it is not well understood.

(4) Improved monitoring and modeling of the diurnal cycle will go a long way towards improved warm season precipitation forecasts not just for Tier 1, but for Tiers 2 and 3.

DIURNAL VARIABILITY

NAME SIMPLE RAINGAUGE NETWORK

Lobato et al. (2002)

Current site in CPC real-time daily Precipitation analysis

Transects of simple raingauges

• NW-SE transects are needed to help resolve Gulf surge / precipitation relationships

Approximate regions for network enhancements

CURRENT SOUNDING NETWORK

SMN Contribution to NAMEOperate all once-daily observation sites at 12 UTC (2003-04) Operate twice-daily observations (May-Nov) in 8 sites (2003-04)Add 2 sites (Altamira and Tapachula) (2003)Maintenance of the upper-air sounding network (2003-04)Observer training (2003-04)

NAME RADIOSONDE / PIBAL NETWORK

Douglas et al. (2002)

• Estimates of the moisture budget of the IAS region are in progress using this network, which is routinely available (2x daily) during the NH warm season.

• These estimates will be combined with new estimates over the core (and peripheral) monsoon regions (based on a new network of in situ soundings) to quantify the Q flux-precipitation relationship over the entire region (inc. U.S.).

Radiosonde

NCDC Buoys

PACS SONET

Zhang et al 2001

MOISTURE BUDGET OF THE INTRA AMERICAS SEAMOISTURE BUDGET OF THE INTRA AMERICAS SEA

PROPOSED RADAR-PROFILING-SOUNDING NETWORKPROPOSED RADAR-PROFILING-SOUNDING NETWORK

Carbone et al. 2002

NAME RADAR-PROFILING-SOUNDING(OBJECTIVES)

• To describe the daily evolution of “ordinary”convective rainfall over the SMO, the GOC coastal plain and the southern Gulf region.

• To describe the principal mechanisms that force organized mesoscale rainfall systems within the diurnal cycle (organization to larger scales).

• To clarify relationships between convection over the SMO and Q-flux from the GOC and the GOM.

• To observe moisture surges and associated LLJ’s in the GOC in the broader regional context of tropical easterly waves and mid-latitude westerly trough passages.

• To clarify relationships between GOC moisture surges and precipitation.

Proposed Use of the R/V Ronald H. Brown During NAMESteve Rutledge, Walt Petersen, and Rob Cifelli

Department of Atmospheric Science, Colorado State University

Instruments

•Radar (Scanning C-band Doppler; Vertically pointing Ka-band

Doppler)

•Rawinsonde

•915 MHz wind profiler

•DIAL/Mini-MOPA LIDAR

•Multi-spectral radiometers

•Air-sea flux system

•Meteorological observation (T,RH, P), rain gauges and ceilometer

•Oceanographic measurements including SST, CTD and ADCP

Figures adapted from Fuller and Stensrud (MWR, 2000) and Brenner (MWR, 1974)

Proposed Location of the R/V Ron Brown During NAME IOP

Addressing NAME Tier-1 Science

• Surge origins

• Sources of moisture and transports

• Precipitation statistics including diurnal cycle

• Structure of southern end of GC LLJ

• Surge coupling to easterly waves

• Surface fluxes/Ocean coupling

RESEARCH AIRCRAFT OPERATIONS(OBJECTIVES)

(1) To measure horizontal gradients associated with low-level circulation features.

(2) To measure along-flow and cross-flow variations of mesoscale diurnal variations.

(3) To provide over-ocean depiction of the synoptic-scale conditions associated with moisture surge generation.

(4) To sample orographic modulation of precipitation.

(Douglas et al.; Smull et al.)

INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS

(1) Mexican Weather Service • Meteorological Infrastructure

79 synoptic stations 16 radiosonde sites 60 automated weather stations (15 more in 2003) 12 radars (4 in northwestern Mexico)

• Historical and real-time data• Working group during NAME (meteorologists,technicians)• Joint Forecast Center

(2) Universities and Institutions in NW Mexico (Univ. of Vera Cruz, Univ. of Guadalajara, UNAM, IMTA, CICESE)

• Equipment, personnel, transportation, data collection, research

(3) Central American Collaborative Interests• Costa Rica-USA (CRUSA) Foundation supports bilateral projects

JOINT MEXICO-US FORECAST CENTER

(1) Longevity?• Short term focus: briefings for NAME Field Campaign as needed• Long term focus: joint US-Mexico products

(2) Where?• NW Mexico• Collocated with existing radar (e.g. Obregon?)

(3) Products?• Forecasts (e.g. North American monthly, seasonal)• Monitoring (e.g. North American drought monitor)• Assessments (e.g. hazards)

(4) Other functions of Center• Training for Meteorologists• Personnel exchange

(5) Affiliation?• CNA/SMN• CICESE• UNAM• Polytechnic Institute• Center SEP – CONACYT (Federal Government)

NAME EDUCATION / TRAINING

(1) Exchange Program between U.S. NWS and Mexican SMN• Central / South American desk at NCEP

(2) Central American Training Course (M. Douglas)• Training on climate, weather forecasting and observations• Designing regional meteorological / climate services• Workshop held in July 2001 attracted participants from 12 countries

(3) NWS COMET Course on Climate Variability (W. Higgins)• Available to Mexican / Central American participants in NAME

(4) Central American Collaborative Interests (J. Amador)• Costa Rica-USA (CRUSA) Foundation supports bilateral projects

(5) Linkages to human dimensions / applications (A. Ray)

NAME DELIVERABLES

• Coupled climate models capable of predicting North American monsoon variability – diurnal variability – short-term goal– monthly to seasonal variability – long-term goal

• Infrastructure to observe and monitor the North American monsoon system;

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

• Contributions to the assessment of climate variability and long-term climate change in the North American monsoon region;

• Strengthened multinational scientific collaboration across the Americas.

NAME PERFORMANCE MEASURES (1) Summer Precipitation Forecasts

• Diurnal cycle / daily mean (monsoon onset) Performance Measure: area mean precipitation in AZNM, NWMEX, SWMEX Performance Goal: improved comparisons/validation against observations

• Seasonal (monsoon intensity) Performance Measure: Heidke skill score for US precipitation – used at CPC Performance Goal: keep the skill score on an upward trend

(2) New Products

• Forecasts (e.g. North American monthly, seasonal P and T)• Monitoring (e.g. North American drought monitor)• Assessments (e.g. hazards)

Performance Goal: address societally relevant needs