THORPEXTHORPEXA Global Atmospheric Research A Global Atmospheric Research

ProgramProgram

Pai-Yei WhungPai-Yei Whung

Acting Director Acting Director

THORPEX International Program OfficeTHORPEX International Program Office

NWS/NCEP, August 5 2003NWS/NCEP, August 5 2003

It builds upon ongoing advances within

the basic-research and operational-

forecasting communities

It will make progress by enhancing

international collaboration between

these communities and with users of

forecast products

THORPEX-A Global Atmospheric Research THORPEX-A Global Atmospheric Research ProgramProgram

An international research programme to accelerate improvements in the accuracy of 1 to 14-day forecasts of high impact weather for the benefit of society and the economy

Four Interrelated and Coordinated Four Interrelated and Coordinated THORPEX Sub-programmesTHORPEX Sub-programmes

Predictability and Dynamical ProcessesPredictability and Dynamical Processes Observing SystemsObserving Systems Data Assimilation and Observing StrategiesData Assimilation and Observing Strategies Societal and Economic ImpactsSocietal and Economic Impacts. .

THORPEX Program StructureTHORPEX Program Structure

International Core Steering Committee (ICSC)International Core Steering Committee (ICSC) PR appointed representatives from 11 Member NationsPR appointed representatives from 11 Member Nations

International Science Steering Committee (ISSC)International Science Steering Committee (ISSC) WWRP/AREPWWRP/AREP Report to ICSCReport to ICSC

THORPEX International Program Office (IPO)THORPEX International Program Office (IPO) Report to ICSC and support THORPEX international Report to ICSC and support THORPEX international

communitycommunity Regional Science Steering CommitteeRegional Science Steering Committee

Asia, North America, Europe and Southern Hemisphere, Europe and Southern Hemisphere

International Core Steering International Core Steering CommitteeCommittee

Established by the Commission for Atmospheric Sciences Established by the Commission for Atmospheric Sciences (CAS) in 2002(CAS) in 2002

MembersMembers Canada (Chair, Dr. Michel Beland), China, US, UK, South Africa, Canada (Chair, Dr. Michel Beland), China, US, UK, South Africa,

Australia, Japan, Korea, India, Russian Federation, France and Australia, Japan, Korea, India, Russian Federation, France and GermanyGermany

Function Function Delivery of THORPEX to CASDelivery of THORPEX to CAS Sets research priorities, approves science plan by ISSCSets research priorities, approves science plan by ISSC Provides guidance to NMHSs on transition of THORPEX research and Provides guidance to NMHSs on transition of THORPEX research and

development to operations,development to operations, Identify and mobilise national and international resources to support Identify and mobilise national and international resources to support

THORPEX activitiesTHORPEX activities MeetingsMeetings

October 2002, April 2003 and December 2003October 2002, April 2003 and December 2003

International Science Steering International Science Steering CommitteeCommittee

Established in 2002 by CASEstablished in 2002 by CAS MembershipMembership

Australia, Canada, China, Japan, Russia, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, China, Japan, Russia, United Kingdom, United States, France, Norway, Iceland, Finland and SwedenUnited States, France, Norway, Iceland, Finland and Sweden

FunctionFunction Develops scientific plan Develops scientific plan Guides the implementation of the programmeGuides the implementation of the programme Provides recommendations to ICSC.Provides recommendations to ICSC.  

Co-chairsCo-chairs Prof. Alan Thorpe and Dr Melvin ShapiroProf. Alan Thorpe and Dr Melvin Shapiro

Progress on the International Progress on the International ProgrammeProgramme

Version 1 of the Science Plan is completeVersion 1 of the Science Plan is complete

WMO approval granted, new WMO web siteWMO approval granted, new WMO web site

Two post-doctoral fellowships awarded under the Two post-doctoral fellowships awarded under the Vaisala THORPEX Fellowship ProgramVaisala THORPEX Fellowship Program

Regional committees formed in NA and AsiaRegional committees formed in NA and Asia

Chair to soon be named for the EU committeeChair to soon be named for the EU committee

Framework for the upcoming Atlantic experimentFramework for the upcoming Atlantic experiment

North American Science Steering North American Science Steering CommitteeCommittee

USUS (Co-chair) David Parsons, (Co-chair) David Parsons,

NCARNCAR

Zoltan Toth, OAA/NCEP/EMCZoltan Toth, OAA/NCEP/EMC Tim Miller, Tim Miller,

NSSTC/GHCC/MSFC - NASA NSSTC/GHCC/MSFC - NASA Team LeaderTeam Leader

Bob Atlas, NASA/GSFC/DAO Bob Atlas, NASA/GSFC/DAO John Murray,NASA/LaRCJohn Murray,NASA/LaRC Carolyn Reynolds, ONR Carolyn Reynolds, ONR Joe Tribbia, NCAR/CGDJoe Tribbia, NCAR/CGD Eugenia Kalnay -- U of Eugenia Kalnay -- U of

MarylandMaryland Berrien Moore -- U of New Berrien Moore -- U of New

HampshireHampshire Dan Keyser- State U NY at Dan Keyser- State U NY at

AlbanyAlbany Rebecca Morss, NCAR – Rebecca Morss, NCAR –

Temp appt.Temp appt.

CanadaCanada (Co-chair) Pierre Gauthier, (Co-chair) Pierre Gauthier,

Met Service Canada (MSC)Met Service Canada (MSC)

Jim Abraham, MSCJim Abraham, MSC Mark Buehner, MSCMark Buehner, MSC John Gyakum, McGill John Gyakum, McGill

UniversityUniversity Laurie Neil, MSC/MarineLaurie Neil, MSC/Marine Canadian Societal Impacts Canadian Societal Impacts

Rep – TBDRep – TBD

THORPEX Observing System Test (TOST) for North AtlanticTHORPEX Observing System Test (TOST) for North Atlantic

Two efforts: Start in Oct on Extratropical (ET) transition of tropical cyclones Begin shift to winter cyclones in Nov, ops to mid-Dec. 2nd planning meeting to be held on September 8-9

Description: Scheduled for mid Oct / mid Dec 2003 EUCOS and other European/NA observational assets will be targeted on sensitive areas Analysis complete by the end of 2004

Observing Systems: 600+ European AMDAR aircraft 16 European ASAP ships Additional radiosonde ascents (Canada, US, Europe) Research aircraft - dropsondes and other measurements (Germany, US and Canada) Additional drifting buoys (Western and Eastern Atlantic areas) Driftsonde flights from US East coast Meteosat 6 - rapid scan winds

TOST Primary Science GoalsTOST Primary Science Goals

Test ability to select appropriate cases for data targetingTest ability to select appropriate cases for data targeting

Test ability to predict sensitive areasTest ability to predict sensitive areas

Test ability to target these areas with additional observationsTest ability to target these areas with additional observations

Test of new instruments potentially useful for targeting and/or future Test of new instruments potentially useful for targeting and/or future operations (e.g. driftsonde, wind lidar, etc.)operations (e.g. driftsonde, wind lidar, etc.)

Tests, design and validation studies of proposed experimental Tests, design and validation studies of proposed experimental satellite techniquessatellite techniques

Conduct in real-time with operational centersConduct in real-time with operational centers

Contribution to the Atlantic TOST from Contribution to the Atlantic TOST from Operational CentersOperational Centers

Multiple targeting inputs (ECMWF, UK Met Office, Multiple targeting inputs (ECMWF, UK Met Office, METEO France, NRL, NCEP)METEO France, NRL, NCEP)

Decision by “targeting czar”Decision by “targeting czar”

Impact studies using ECMWF, UK Met, METEO France, Impact studies using ECMWF, UK Met, METEO France, Swiss, Danish, Italian, and German Met. Services, NRL Swiss, Danish, Italian, and German Met. Services, NRL (for ET Storms), NCEP(for ET Storms), NCEP

Additional NA ActivitiesAdditional NA Activities

North American Science Steering Committee Meeting to North American Science Steering Committee Meeting to be held on 14-15 August at the U of Marylandbe held on 14-15 August at the U of Maryland

Communication established with WMO, Intl Committees, Communication established with WMO, Intl Committees, US Core Committee reps, USWRP THORPEX subgroup US Core Committee reps, USWRP THORPEX subgroup and IPO, web page planand IPO, web page plan

US members contributed to Intl PlanUS members contributed to Intl Plan

Served on the Panel for Vaisala THORPEX Fellowship Served on the Panel for Vaisala THORPEX Fellowship SelectionSelection

Draft of North American plan set for 1 November 2003Draft of North American plan set for 1 November 2003

International Program OfficeInternational Program Office 1414thth WMO Congress (3.3.3. World Weather Research Programme) WMO Congress (3.3.3. World Weather Research Programme)

endorse the establishment of the THORPEX International Program endorse the establishment of the THORPEX International Program Office (IPO)Office (IPO)

Term of Reference for IPO was established during the 14Term of Reference for IPO was established during the 14 thth WMO WMO CongressCongress

Acting Director was appointed by Chair of ICSC with the Acting Director was appointed by Chair of ICSC with the concurrence of US PR (temp location: US NCEP)concurrence of US PR (temp location: US NCEP)

Structure of IPOStructure of IPO Director and Officers are seconded by Member NationsDirector and Officers are seconded by Member Nations Trust fund (US$200K annual, Canada $30K)Trust fund (US$200K annual, Canada $30K)

The role of the IPO is to coordinate THORPEX on behalf of the The role of the IPO is to coordinate THORPEX on behalf of the members such that the overall THORPEX Programme goals are members such that the overall THORPEX Programme goals are achievedachieved

The IPO will execute the ICSC priorities in THORPEXThe IPO will execute the ICSC priorities in THORPEX

Planned IPO ActivitiesPlanned IPO Activities

Organize ICSC December 2003 meetingOrganize ICSC December 2003 meeting

Potential sponsor TOST workshop in Spring 2004Potential sponsor TOST workshop in Spring 2004

Establish interactive website jointly with WMOEstablish interactive website jointly with WMO

Bi-monthly newsletterBi-monthly newsletter

Strengthen Southern Hemisphere membershipStrengthen Southern Hemisphere membership

Coordinate with CBS, CAS and WCRPCoordinate with CBS, CAS and WCRP