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This report covers various items from CIMO-XV considered of particular interest to the HMEI Membership and is not intended to be definitive.
Please see full details in the WMO Final Report of CIMO-XV when it is available at: http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/www/CIMO/cimo-teco-meteorex.html

Attendees
The final full participants list will be available in the WMO Final Report when it becomes available. Currently see the Draft Participants list here.

The HMEI Executive Secretary, Bruce Sumner, and Administrator, Christine Charstone, attended CIMO-XV and made the following report.

OPENING
The CIMO Session was opened at 10am Thursday 2 September 2010. A Welcome Address on behalf of the Government of Finland was given by the Permanent Secretary of Finland Mr Harri Pursiainen. The Opening Addresses were given by Mr Michel Jarraud, WMO Secretary-General and Prof. Petteri Taalas, Director General of the Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI).

Doc. 3 - REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE COMMISSION - Dr John Nash CIMO President (See Document here)
The CIMO President's report was the first report following the Opening of the session and the organizational items for CIMO-XV.

The Report notified attendees that the WMO Secretariat was restructured with a newly created WMO Observing Systems Division, its mandate including responsibility for marine and aircraft observations; also the new collaborations with the WMO Space Programme and GCOS.

The report noted that the CIMO president was requested to chair the Subgroup on WIGOS of the EC Working Group on WIGOS and WIS, recognizing the CIMO role in WIGOS development and implementation. The heavy involvement of CIMO with WIS and WIGOS was outlined.

The report stated that it was be clear that CIMO needs to bridge the gaps between research and operational observations. Therefore, the president has also been involved in the activities of European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) and its European Ground-based observations of essential variables for CLImate and operational METeorology (EG-CLIMET) COST Action.

The Report also lists the extensive meetings that the CIMO President has been involved with.

Doc. 4 - INSTRUMENTS AND METHODS OF OBSERVATION FOR SURFACE MEASUREMENTS - (See document here)

SURFACE OBSERVATION TECHNOLOGY (OPAG-SURFACE) - Dr J van der Meulen, Netherlands
Co-operation with industry via working with HMEI was noted as essential for CIMO and it was noted had worked particularly well with the Expert Team (ET) on Surface Measurement Techniques.

This ET is investigating particularly:

• Standardization;

• Automation;

• Measurement in Harsh Environments;

• Uncertainty Requirements.

The CIMO attendees were informed of the useful information that can be found on the HMEI website. It was noted that this included reporting on the various work the HMEI was doing with WMO.

The report announced CIMO will discontinue the Instrument Development Inquiry; rather, CIMO has requested that HMEI put all new information on new products from its members on the HMEI website/Catalogue.

SURFACE-BASED INSTRUMENT INTERCOMPARISONS AND CALIBRATION METHODS - Mr Michel Leroy, France
Mr Leroy noted the work of the Expert Team on Surface-Based Instrument Intercomparisons and Calibration Methods and the Intercomparisons which have been recently achieved:

• The WMO Field Intercomparison of Rainfall Intensity Gauges in Italy.

• The WMO Combined Intercomparison of Thermometer Screens/Shields in conjunction with Humidity-Measuring Instruments in Algeria.

He noted the excellence of the work that had been done in these Intercomparisons and particularly the quality of the Italian Rainfall Measurement Intercomparison which has been recognized by its being Awarded the Vaisala Prize as has been noted in HMEI's TECO report.

TECO had presented a brief preliminary report of this, but the final WMO Report on the Intercomparison of Thermometer Screens/Shields in conjunction with Humidity-Measuring Instruments will be release in 2-3 months.

CIMO was informed that Canada would not be able to host the Intercomparison of Thermometer Screens/Shields in Conjunction with Humidity-Measuring Instruments in an Arctic environment due to capacity and priority considerations.

CIMO noted the offer of Italy to host a future Combined Radiation Intercomparison of pyranometers and sunshine duration instruments, possibly in conjunction with UV sensors.

Mr Leyroy also presented some proposed new Intercomparisons for WMO. Subsequent the following is the provisional programme for the next intersession period: to discussions.

Provisional Programme of CIMO Surface-based Instrument Intercomparisons (2011-2014)

1. WMO Intercomparison on Solid Precipitation including Snowfall and Snow Depth Measurements in various regions of the world (multi-site experiment) at Automatic Stations;

2. WMO Regional Pyrheliometer Comparisons;

3. WMO Combined Intercomparison of Thermometer Screens/Shields in conjunction with Humidity-Measuring Instruments in the Arctic Region;

4. WMO Intercomparison of Present Weather Sensors in Tropical Conditions;

5. WMO Pilot Intercomparison of Sea-level and Tsunami Monitoring Instruments;

6. WMO Intercomparison of Hydrological Gauges to cover both normal conditions and extreme events;

7. WMO Intercomparison of Ceilometers in support of the ET on Upper-Air Systems Intercomparisons;

8. WMO Combined Intercomparison of pyranometers, sunshine duration instruments, possibly in conjunction with UV sensors.

CLASSIFICATIONS FOR SURFACE OBSERVING STATIONS ON LAND 
Mr Leyroy also presented a Report on Siting Classification for Weather Stations/Sensors. This essential work on Siting was recommended for adoption by CIMO and to be published in the CIMO Guide  and subsequently to becoming an ISO standard.

METEOROLOGICAL RADIATION AND ATMOSPHERIC COMPOSITION MEASUREMENTS - Dr Bruce Forgan, Australia
Dr Bruce Forgan (Australia), the chair of the Expert Team (ET) on Meteorological Radiation and Atmospheric Composition Measurements, presented this part of Document 4.

Dr Forgan noted that the World Radiation Reference for these measurements was now very stable. However the instruments for the World Radiation reference are now 40 years old. There is a decline of manufactures of these types of instruments, currently there are two manufacturers, but this may soon reduce to one. This was seen as a worrying development, which would present potential problems for the future.

Items in the current work plan for this ET are:

• Infrared Standard Measurements;

• National Radiation network Survey;

• Standards Documentation;

• CIMO Guide

The WMO Eleventh International Pyrheliometer Intercomparison (IPC-XI), 27 September to 15 October 2010, to be held in Davos, Switzerland  will include: a pre- IPC-XI survey on national network traceability; a tailored radiation training course to be conducted during IPC-XI for Regional Radiation Centre (RRC) participants; and two co-incident comparisons: one on sun photometry and the other on pyrgeometers.

The World Infrared Standard is also very stable. The Physikalisch-Meteorologisches Observatorium Davos/World Radiation Centre (PMOD/WRC) is developing a Cryogenic Solar Absolute Radiometer (called IRIS) and reference standards to support the maintenance of the World Infrared Standard Group.

CIMO requested that World Radiation Data Centre (WRDC) at the Voeikov Main Geophysical Observatory, report regularly to CIMO indicating the status of radiation data quality in the archive, and to publish the QA/QC algorithms it uses so that Members can perform their own data quality check prior to submitting data to World Radiation Data Centre (WRDC).

Intercomparisons held recently were:

• Regional Pyrheliometer Intercomparison (RPC) in Tsukuba, Japan, (Regional Association (RA) II), 2007

• Sub-regional Pyranometer Intercomparison, in Croatia in 2007

• USA Regional Radiation Intercomparison in 2009

• Italy/France Regional Radiation Intercomparison in 2009/10

The CIMO is concerned that RPCs were not regularly organized in the other Regions and recommended that this should change to ensure the appropriate traceability of solar radiation measurements. CIMO emphasizes the requirements for the traceability of measurements to the International System of Units (SI) standards and expressed its appreciation for continuous cooperation with the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM) on this matter.

Improvements to the chapters in the CIMO Guide related to radiation, sunshine and atmospheric composition measurements were also recommended, with the Global Atmospheric Watch Programme (GAW) be invited to update the parts related to UV, ozone and atmospheric composition measurements.

Comments from the Floor
It was requested that Chapter 17 of the CIMO Guide, on Atmospheric Composition be revised as it is significantly out of date.

Several countries expressed there support and wish to work on the Solid Precipitation Intercomparion planned. Canada will be a main host the Intercomparison asked for assistance with the event; Switzerland, Finland and New Zealand offered assistance and some of these will offered the use of their testbeds, which will distribute the Intercomparison internationally.

Japan had problems with the Siting Classification proposal and suggested that this was only one good set of criteria for siting and that there were other possibilities and that the Siting Classification should be under regular review by CIMO. Also Japan suggested that the siting classification be included in the metadata.

Doc. 5 - INSTRUMENTS AND METHODS OF OBSERVATION FOR UPPER-AIR MEASUREMENTS AND REMOTE SENSING (See document here)
From the document presented the following was decided:

In response to the concerns expressed at EC-LVIII, June 2006, CIMO noted that extensive information on the use of hydrogen and safety precautions is included in the Seventh edition of the Guide to Meteorological Instruments and Methods of Observation (CIMO Guide). Furthermore, CIMO training workshops on upper-air observations were expanded to include safety operation of hydrogen systems as well as other chemical generators. It requested the respective expert team to place a high priority on the need for preparing an updated set of safety guidelines for the operation of hydrogen generators used in support of upper-air operations, including the possible replacement of generators by hydrogen cylinders; updated guidelines should then be translated in WMO languages. The Commission also requested that CIMO Guide be updated accordingly.

CIMO noted that currently used Radiosondes may have negative impact on the environment and requested the respective expert team to collaborate with HMEI and Members in designing environment-friendly Radiosonde, for example by avoiding the use of any potentially hazardous material and reducing their weight and size.
5.11 The Commission noted proposals for future Intercomparisons, including a plan of the Danish Meteorological Institute to carry out a three year trial of automatic Radiosonde launching systems in Tasiilaq/Kulusuuk situated on the eastern coast of Greenland in a harsh cold environment and a plan of India Meteorological Department to host Regional Intercomparison of Radiosonde systems in India. The Commission, recognizing the need for further instrument Intercomparisons and tests, agreed on the provisional programme of future WMO upper-air Intercomparisons as contained in the provisional programme below.

Provisional Programme of WMO Upper-air and Remote-sensing Instrument Intercomparisons (2011-2014)

1. WMO High Quality Radiosonde Regional Intercomparison, Region II, China (completion of the analysis).

2. Weather Radar Workshops to Examine Differences on Signal and Data Processing Using Common Signal Data Set.

3. WMO International Evaluation of AMDAR Water Vapour Sensor.

4. WMO Evaluation of Wind Profiler Wind Measurement Quality and Quality Control Procedures.

5. International Test-bed Experiments and Pilot Studies for Integrated In-situ and Remote Sensing Upper-air Networks (including tropical and subtropical tests).

6. Intercomparison of automatic Radiosonde launching systems to be hosted and organized by Denmark in Greenland.

7. Regional Radiosonde Intercomparison to be hosted and organized by India.

Doc. 6 - EDUCATION AND TRAINING, CAPACITY BUILDING (See document 6(1) here)

Regional Instrument Centers (RICs), Calibration and Traceability - Mr Mario Jorge Garcia, Argentina
Mr Garcia is the co-chairperson of the ET on Regional Instrument Centers, Quality Management Systems and Commercial Instruments Initiative. He noted the CIMO concern with the lack of tractability of measurements to SI (Standards International) in many NMHS. This was revealed in the Survey on Calibration and Maintenance. t was recommended that steps be taken by the respective CIMO teams to assist WMO Members in improving this situation and to make NMHSs aware of the need for regular calibration, also to provide training and capacity building material.

The report noted with appreciation the participation of members of HMEI in several of the training workshops that had been organized by Regional Training Centers and expressed the wish that they continue their participation in this way.

The need was expressed for strengthening instrument calibration procedures and for estimating the uncertainties of the calibrations performed. the Expert Team on Regional Instrument Centers (ET-RIC) was requested to develop a new approach to support RICs to develop quality procedures for instrument calibration.

Regional Associations were asked to identify specific needs so that training workshops and courses can be planned on instruments and methods of observations, including on calibration and maintenance of instruments, and new technologies that may arise in the transition to a new AWS system,

Recommendations:

• RICs need to develop websites to assist with regional communications.

• RICs need to develop training and capacity building materials and events.

• RICs need to make regular use of the Evaluation Scheme for RICs developed by CIMO.

• RICs need to organize regular regional Intercomparisons.

Comments from the floor
In response to the item in 6.8 which recalled the need for new simple  and inexpensive instruments and calibration facilities to replace hazardous (mercury) instruments and obsolete instrumentation still in use in some NMHSs in developing countries, Canada suggested that HMEI assist in developing such low cost instrumentation.

Doc.5 - INSTRUMENTS AND METHODS OF OBSERVATION FOR UPPER-AIR MEASUREMENTS AND REMOTE SENSING - Prof. Dr Calpini, Switzerland

Upgrading the Global Upper-air Networks
Priority items noted were:

• Development of a fully functional GUAN with enhanced AMDAR humidity measurement

• Preparing an updated set of safety guidelines for the operation of hydrogen generators.

• Because wind profilers are affected by wind turbines , guidelines need to be developed similar to those being prepared currently in regard to the effects of wind turbines on radars.

Upper-air Intercomparisons
The Intercomparisons that have recently taken place were reported on, being :

• LUAMI Intercomparison in Lindenberg, Germany,

• 8th WMO Intercomparison of Radiosonde Systems in Yangjiang, China, from 12 to 31 July 2010

It was requested that results from these Intercomparisons be published.

The financial and technical involvement of HMEI members in 8th WMO Intercomparison of Radiosonde Systems in Yangjiang, China, was noted with the acknowledgment that without this this very important Intercomparison would not have happened. Dr Nash stated that the friendliness of all participants and willingness to share and cooperate was very much appreciated.

It was requested that the CIMO-Management Group (CIMO-MG) to facilitate inclusion of the relevant conclusions and recommendations in the WMO Guide to Meteorological Instruments and Methods of Observation (WMO-No. 8), (CIMO Guide) and to advise GCOS on the most suitable Radiosonde system to be used by GRUAN stations.

Remote Sensing Upper-air Technology and Techniques
The guidance on weather radar and wind turbine siting, presented in the Annex to this paragraph, developed by ET on Remote Sensing Upper-air Technology and Techniques (ET-RSUAT&T) was endorsed and it was requested that CIMO-MG arrange for this to be included it in the CIMO Guide.

Due to yet ongoing threats to weather equipment used (including C-Band Radars) frequency bands, particularly here the threat posed by widely used Radio Local Area Networks (RLANs) and Dynamic Frequency Detection (DFDs) devices it was recommended, in order that a global solution to be found, the draft of the Guidance Statement on Weather Radar/Radio Frequency Shared Spectrum that has been prepared be considered at the Commission for Basic Systems (CBS) session in Namibia in November 2010. It was also requested that the OPAG-UPPER AIR facilitate cooperation between weather radar manufacturers and the telecommunication industry.

There is a requirement to exchange weather radar “raw” data (likely in the form of radar reflectivity and radial winds) over the GTS/WIS, the Commission requested OPAG-UPPER-AIR to work towards a clear definition of required “raw” data to ensure a consistent level of national processing before data exchange is done. Also the OPAG-UPPER-AIR is prepare comprehensive descriptions or documentation of radar decoding software, metadata and measurement uncertainty, for publication in the CIMO Guide.

The OPAG-UPPR-AIR was asked to to intercompare weather radar algorithms with a view to identifying the best quality control algorithms and to specify the quality of the radar products, such as Quantitative Precipitation Estimation (QPE). Several Intercomparison Workshops would be needed for this, thus The first workshop should address the first two steps of the process - ground clutter removal and calibrating the reflectivity values. An International Organizing Committee should be established to prepare and conduct this Intercomparison. The first workshop will be in UK later this year, Mr Paul Joe from Canada will be working with manufacturer to organize this.

Following on a survey conducted by the Turkish Meteorological Service (TMS) amongst WMO Members of weather radars in use, it was requested that a comprehensive web-based weather radar database be created, which the OPAG-UPPER-AIR will work with TMS to develop and TMS will host the database. This will be a significant contribution to WIGOS.

It was recommended that OPAG-UPPER-AIR consider holding a workshop (in collaboration with the Satellite and GRUAN communities) to evaluate which remote sensing tools and techniques are likely to have success in tying upper-air observations to SI standards.

There was a survey on lightning detection systems conducted  to evaluate the current operations of lightning detection systems looking at the strengths and weaknesses of existing systems, including coverage, accuracy, reliability and cost effectiveness. It requested OPAG-UPPER-AIR to publish the results of this survey in the IOM Report series. Following the survey there should be an Intercomparison of lightning detection systems.

CIMO expressed it appreciation of the work of the ET-RSUT&T on developing a potential ISO standard on LIDARs, (with which HMEI members have been very significantly involved, (namely Laurent Sauvage from Leosphere and Holger Wille from Jenoptik). It is now for the CIMO Secretariat to follow up to work towards a joint ISO/WMO standard on LIDARs,

Comments from the Floor:

• UK expressed the desire that there be developed a European LIDAR network to measure and monitor volcanic ash.

• There was discussion from Indonesia and the chair of the future possibility to cease chemical generation of hydrogen due to several fatalities in the meteorological use of this method of generating hydrogen. Russia proposed further development of safety guidelines addressing issues in using these technologies.

• CIMO responded that the CIMO guide for hydrogen generating should be updated and suggested that the two HMEI member manufacturers of hydrogen generators should be invited to help with the revision of this part of the CIMO Guide.

• UK brought up the issue of recycling/environmental and greenhouse gas issues in regard to Radiosonde technologies. It was felt that the issues need to be looked at and discussed under the auspices of CIMO, by interested parties, and recommendations made.

• Dr John Nash asked that HMEI member manufactures who had financially assisted his participation at the China Intercomparison, and financially supported the Intercomparison generally, be  thanked for their generosity.

• HMEI expressed the continuing support of HMEI members for the work of CIMO, especially the Intercomparisons work. Dr Calpini noted the CIMO appreciation of this and the importance of working in co-operation with manufacturers by way of HMEI.

• India put forward a proposal that it host a Regional Radiosonde Intercomparison in about 2 years time (this will include L-band Radiosondes).

Provisional Programme of WMO Upper-air and Remote-sensing Instrument Intercomparisons (2011-2014):

• WMO High Quality Radiosonde Regional Intercomparison, Region II, China (completion of the analysis).

• Weather Radar Workshops to Examine Differences on Signal and Data Processing Using Common Signal Data Set.

• WMO International Evaluation of AMDAR Water Vapor Sensor.

• WMO Evaluation of Wind Profiler Wind Measurement Quality and Quality Control Procedures.

• International Test-bed Experiments and Pilot Studies for Integrated In-situ and Remote Sensing Upper-air Networks (including tropical and subtropical tests).