April 17, 2006

1
Unidata Policy Committee NOAA/NWS Status

• April 17, 2006
• LeRoy Spayd
• Chief, Meteorological Services Division
• Office of Climate, Water, and Weather Services
• NOAAs National Weather Service

2
Outline

• Integrated Upper-air Observing System (IUOS)
• Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS)
• Digital Services
• NWS Budget

3
Implementing an Integrated Upper-air Observing
System (IUOS)
Strategy and Roadmap

4
NOAAs Observation System Target Architecture

• Target Architecture Principles
• Utility
• Focus on societal benefits
• Requirements-based
• All data archived and accessible
• Interoperability
• Full and open data sharing
• Standards-based
• Flexibility
• Leverages new technology
• Sustainability
• Build on existing systems
• Affordability
• Effectively use non-NOAA systems

Partnerships National International
5
BackgroundToward Integrated Observing Systems

• Need for improved and cost-effective observations
  of Earth system driving plans for integrated
  observing systems in NOAA, nationally, and
  globally through GEOSS
• In NOAA, plans underway for integrated ocean
  (IOOS) and surface (ISOS) observation systems

IOOS
ISOS
6
BackgroundWhy IUOS?

• NOAA currently spends 100M/yr on upper-air
  observations
  
  (not including satellites)
• Platforms and DMAC fragmented across LOs,
• Programs, and Goals resulting in duplication
• and cost-inefficiency
• New systems coming
• NPN refurbishment and expansion
• MDCRS/Water Vapor Sensing System (WVSS)
• Radiosonde Replacement System (RRS)
• PDM direction to begin eliminating
  
  radiosonde/aircraft observation duplication
• Radars, UAS, Satellites,
• Plan is needed for integrated upper-air
  observation system (IUOS) supporting NOAA mission
  linked to IOOS and ISOS

NOAA Investment/yr (M) by System
Upper-air System Average Annual Investment Amount, FY08-12 (M)
Aircraft Obs 4.86
Communications 6.69
GPS IPW 0.45
Lightning 0.75
Profilers 11.21
Radar 46.99
Radiosondes 14.02
Adaptive Obs 14.30
Total 99.27
7
What is IUOS?Definition

• Complete network (including DMAC) of all
  upper-air observation systems available to NOAA
  regardless of
• parameter,
  
• data quality,
• ownership,
• timeliness, or
• redistribution rights

8
What is IUOS?Mission and Requirements Space

• IUOS Mission Cost-effectively meet existing
  NOAA upper-air observation requirements and
  future validated requirements for
• Improved spatial, temporal, and spectral
  resolution
• New observations of environmental parameters
• Data Management and Communications (DMAC)
• Upper-air observation requirements space
• Geographical Extent Global
• Vertical Extent 10 m above surface to Sun
• Temporal Range Warnings to
  
  Global Climate Change Prediction
• Parameters Winds, temperature, pressure,
  
  moisture, air chemistry, reflectivity, aerosols,
  biology, .

9
What is IUOS?Solution Characteristics

• IUOS solution characteristics Future IUOS will
  be
• Adaptable, extensible, stable, continuous, and
  quality assured
• Cost-effective avoid unnecessary duplication
• Serving multi-purposes - including driving
  Earth-system models
• Consistent with/component of USGEO and GEOSS

• Final Operating Capability
• Optimal mix of NOAA
  and
  non-NOAA observation
  platforms including
  both in situ
  and remote
  sensors based on NOSA Architecture Principles

10
Where are We?Known Components of Future IUOS

• Radiosondes with GPS (RRS) -- completed by FY 08
• Aircraft
• 1700 aircraft (MDCRS) today expanding to 2000 by
  FY 12
• 25 aircraft with WVSS today expanding to 1135 by
  FY 12
• NOAA directing elimination of redundancies
  between radiosondes and aircraft observations
  starting in FY 08
• Refurbished/expanded NOAA Profiler Network (NPN)
• Completed by FY 09
• IOOS expanding NPN to coastal areas in FY 07
• Satellite evolution will occur, but details
  unclear
• GPS IPW, UAS, Phased Array radar, and
  other new
  technologies on/over horizon

Aircraft Obs (MDCRS) Routes
11
How will we get there?Implementation Strategy --
Phased

• In the context of existing observing systems
• Phase 1 Integrate In Situ Regional Soundings
  (IOC FY08)
• Platforms Radiosondes, aircraft (MDCRS, WVSS,
  TAMDAR)
• DMAC Ensure compliance with GEO-IDE Principles
  and Standards
• ditto in subsequent phases
• Phase 2 Integrate Regional Soundings (IOC
  FY10)
• Platforms Phase 1 Profilers (NPN), Cooperative
  Agency Profilers (CAP),
• GPS Integrated Precip. Water (IPW),
  Satellite Soundings and IPW
• Phase 3 Integrate Regional Radar Observations
  (IOC FY12)
• Platforms Phase 2NEXRAD, TDWR, Dual Pol,
  Phased Array, Other Radars (e.g., Commercial,
  CASA)
• Phase 4 Integrate Adaptive Observations (IOC
  FY 14)
• Platforms Phase 3G-IV, P-3, UAS
• Phase 5 Integrate Use of Future Satellite
  Observations (IOC FY 16)
• Platforms Phase 4GOES-R, NPOESS, Other
  satellites

WW/NWS Lead
Other NOAA Lead
12
How will we get there?System Roadmap for Phases
1-3
04
06
05
07
08
09
10
11
12
Phase 1 In Situ Sndgs
102
102
102
102
102
102
102
102
102
92 NWS, 10 Caribbean
Radiosonde
102
FY06 Earmark funds all 102 stations for RRS
upgrade
RRS
78
78
78
69
57
45
27
15
2000
2000
1950
1900
Communications and Optimization Unfunded
1850
Aircraft (MDCRS)
1800
1750
1700
1500
FY15
1135
1600
885
Aircraft w/Water Vapor
25
35
635
460
285
160
FY15
Actual 1-for1 stns determined By In Situ Sndg
Strategy
52
46
38
52
1-for-1 RAOB/Aircraft Obs
30
22
5
Phase 2 Int Region Sndgs
FY15
43
43
Actual profilers required determined by Int.
Reg. Sndg
40
37
35
35
35
35
35
80
Profilers
43
43
40
ESA Galileo IOC FY08
37
Profilers - 449 MHz Sites
30
14
4
4
4
Buoy Mounted Profilers
FYXX
2
Actual GPS-Met IPW Determined by Int. Reg. Sndg
200
GPS IPW
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
Phase 3 Int Radar
FYXX
?
?
?
FAA TDWRs Determined by Int Radar Strategy
?
Radar (FAA TDWR)
?
45
?
10
4
158
148
RD Sites
Radar (Dual Pol)
98
38
PART-Bed
PART-Bed
PART-Bed
PART-Bed
PART-Bed
Radar (Phased Array)
OperationalSites
OKT-Bed
100 Complete
OKT-Bed
OKT-Bed
Radar (Other, NetRad/CASA)
12
8
4
4
13
Phase 1 Radiosonde/WV Aircraft ObsPDM Guidance

• In FY06
• Evaluate model response to water-vapor sensor
  derived data
• Evaluate implications of
• forecasters using different data source and,
• reaction of broader US weather enterprise.
• Use evaluation to develop plan for implementation
  
• In FY08 Begin eliminating redundant capability
  for weather observations

PDM Guidance (M)
14
Phase 1 One-for-One (Radiosonde vs. WVSS)
Sounding Exchange

• Leverage aircraft water vapor sensor profile
• Utilizes vertical data sets from ascent descent
  of aircraft
• Obtains higher resolution observations
• Reduce total number of launches of Radiosondes
• Target sites outside of Climatological
  Requirements
• Targeted sites will launch 1 per day
• Allows limited specials for severe weather and
  other discrete events
• Saves s by reducing expendables

15
Phase 1 One-for-One (Radiosonde vs. WVSS)
Sounding Exchange
Estimated Cost Savings One Radiosonde Launch
Eliminated per Day
1/ Limited to costs for expendable supplies such
as helium, balloon, parachute, etc Labor costs
not included
16
NOAA IUOSCurrent Data Management Capacity

• Observing system architecture and data management
  are fragmented across LOs, Mission Goals, and
  Programs

Sensors System Monitoring QC/QA Distribution Archi
ve GOES/POES SOC SOC GOES/POES,
NOAAPORT NCDC NPN NPN Hub NPN Hub MADIS,
NOAAPORT NCDC/FSL NLDN Vaisala Vaisala Vaisala,
NOAAPORT Vaisala WSR-88D ROC WFO, RFC, ROC AWIPS
WAN, NOAAPORT NCDC ASOS Ceilometer AOMC WFO, AOMC
NOAAPORT NCDC GPS IPW NPN Hub NPN Hub NPN
Hub FSL Radiosonde WFO, Gateway, WFO, NCEP,
Gateway NOAAPORT, GTS NCDC GCOS-GUAN NCDC NCDC M
DCRS Air Carriers, ARINC NCEP, MADIS ARINC,
NOAAPORT FSL P-3, G-IV AOML, OMAO NCEP, AOML FTP,
NOAAPORT NCDC PIREPS/AIREPS RTVS, ARMS NCEP,
NCDC NCEP, NCDC NCDC
17
NOAA IUOSEnd State Data ManagementFunctionally
Streamlined
System Component System Monitoring Distribution Ar
chive 1. Satellites Satellite Ops
Center NOAAPORT NNDCs Research Satellites
Integrated QC/QA NOAA Central Portal NPOESS/GOES-R
Metadata NNDC E-commerce Data
Continuity/Calibration NNDCs/SAA Performance
Monitoring 2. Radar/VHF/Lidar Terrestrial Remote
NPN Sensing Monitoring Center WSR-88D, TDWR
Integrated QA/QC GPS IPW Metadata Radiometer
Data Continuity/Calibration ASOS Ceilometer
Performance Monitoring Lightning Data
(NLDN) NetRad/Commercial Radar 3. In Situ
Sensors In Situ Monitoring Center Radiosonde
Integrated QA/QC AMDAR/MDCRS/TAMDAR
Metadata ASAP Data Continuity/Calibration PIREPS
/AIREPS Performance Monitoring 4.
Targeting/Adaptive Sensors Adaptive Obs
Monitoring Center P-3. G-IV, UAS Integrated
QA/QC SFMR Metadata Driftsondes Data
Continuity/Calibration Dropsondes Performance
Monitoring Targeting/Uncertainty
18

• Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) Update

19
IOOS According to Ocean.US

• The IOOS is a coordinated national and
  international network of observations and data
  transmission, data management and communications
  (DMAC), and data analyses and modeling that
  systematically and efficiently acquires and
  disseminates data and information on past,
  present and future states of the oceans and U.S.
  coastal waters to the head of tide.
• - From the IOOS Development Plan
• Adopted by ICOSRMI

20
Background IOOS the Big Picture

• The US Ocean Action Plan calls for IOOS
• GEOSS is a comprehensive, coordinated, and
  sustained international network of observations
• IOOS is the US contribution to GOOS which is the
  ocean component of GEOSS

• The U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System
  Development Plan is an Interagency Committee on
  Ocean Science and Resource Management Integration
  (ICOSRMI) plan
• AGM for FY 08-12 NOAA must manage Earth
  observations on a global scale, ranging from
  atmospheric, weather, and climate observations to
  oceanic, coastal, and marine life observations
• IOOS is designated as a NOAA Major Project
• NOC and NOSC oversight
• Manager Dave Zilkoski Deputy Mike Johnson
  DMAC Focal Point Kurt Schnebele

21
IOOS Components

• U.S. IOOS has three interdependent subsystems
• Observing (Global and Coastal components)
• Data Management Communication (DMAC)
• Modeling and Analysis

• Partners
• Federal Agencies
• NOAA
• NSF
• Navy
• NASA
• EPA
• USGS
• MMS
• USACE
• Regional Associations
• State Agencies
• WMO/IOC

Coastal Ocean Component
Global Ocean Component
National Backbone
GoA
GLs
NE
DMAC
NW
MA
Regional Observing Systems
CNo Cal
SE
Pac Isl
So Cal
Lower
Go Mex
Resolution
Higher
Ocean Component of NOAA GEO IDE
22
NOAAs IOOS Observing Systems
By NOAA Mission Goal (As defined in the NOAA
Observing System Architecture)
Coastal Total Systems 23
Global Total Systems 8

• Climate
• IOOS Arctic Observing System
• IOOS Argo Profiling Floats
• IOOS Drifting Buoys
• IOOS Ocean Carbon Networks
• IOOS Ocean Reference Station
• IOOS Ships of Opportunity
• IOOS Tide Gauge Stations
• IOOS Tropical Moored Buoys

• Ecosystems
• Coastal Change Analysis Program (C-CAP)
• Coral Reef Ecosystem Integrated Observing System
  (CREIOS)
• Commercial Fisheries-Dependent Data
• Economic/ Sociocultural Observing System
• Ecosystem Surveys
• Fish Surveys
• National Observer Program
• Protected Resource Surveys
• Recreational Fisheries-Dependent Data
• System-Wide Monitoring Program (SwiM) for Marine
  Sanctuaries
• System-Wide Monitoring Program (SWMP) for
  National Estuarine Research Reserves
• Passive Acoustics Observing System
• National Status and Trends Program

• Commerce Transportation
• Hydrographic Surveys (includes bathymetry)
• National Current Observations
• National Water Level Obs. Network (NWLON)
• Phy. Oceanographic Real Time Sys. (PORTS)
• Shoreline Surveys

• Weather Water
• Coastal Marine Automated Network (C-MAN)
• DART
• Voluntary Observing Ships
• Weather Buoys
• SEAWIFS

• Mission Support
• NOAA Ships
• NOAA Aircraft
• NOAA Satellite (managed outside of IOOS)

- NOAA is working to update Interagency IOOS
documentation
23
IOOS Observing Subsystem Global Component

• Designed to meet climate requirements but also
  supports
• Weather prediction
• Global and coastal ocean prediction
• Marine hazards warning
• Transportation
• Marine environment and ecosystem monitoring
• Naval applications
• Homeland security
• Objectives are well defined with GPRA performance
  measures.
• Well coordinated nationally and internationally.
• System 55 complete.
• NOAA capacities
• 43.5 million
• 19 centers of expertise
• 151 people
• Office of Climate Observation - a demonstration
  project directly applicable to the IOOS Project.
• NOAA contributes 53 of the present international
  effort.

• IOOS Tide gauge stations
• IOOS Drifting Buoys
• IOOS Tropical Moored Buoys
• IOOS Argo Profiling Floats
• IOOS Ships of Opportunity
• IOOS Ocean Reference Stations
• IOOS Ocean Carbon Networks

• IOOS Arctic Observing System
• Dedicated Ship Support
• Data Assimilation Subsystems
• Management and Product Delivery
• Satellites (managed outside of IOOS)

24
IOOS Observing Subsystem Components Coastal
Component- National Backbone

• Designed to meet IOOS societal goals and all 5
  NOAA Mission Goals
• Also supports other agency and partner efforts to
  manage our Nations oceans, coasts, and Great
  Lakes
• Coordinated nationally and regionally focusing on
  partnerships.
• System 25 35 complete.
• Better defining objectives and working on
  developing strong GPRA measures.
• NOAA capacities
• 600M - 700M support IOOS
• 55M/year is for integration efforts
• 24 programs contribute, 8-9 major contributors
• Project Office in NOS AAs office coordinates
  NOAA-wide activities
• NOAA contributes 55 -65 of the present national
  effort.

25
IOOS Data Management and Communications
SubsystemDMAC Definition

• The IOOS is a coordinated national and
  international network of observations and data
  transmission, data management and communications
  (DMAC), and data analyses and modeling that
  systematically and efficiently acquires and
  disseminates data and information on past,
  present and future states of the oceans and U.S.
  coastal waters to the head of tide.
• - From the IOOS Development Plan
• Adopted by ICOSRMI
• The DMAC is Information technology
  infrastructure such as national backbone data
  systems, regional data centers, and archive
  centers connected by the Internet, and using
  shared standards and protocols.
• - From the DMAC Plan (March 2005)

26
IOOS DMAC Subsystem

• Observation/Measurement Collection
• Data Transmission
• Primary data assembly, real-time quality control
• Interoperable real-time distribution
• Delayed mode (ecosystems, climate) data
• assembly, quality control
• Archive access
• Creating information products
• Users requirements feedback

27
NWS Digital Services Update

28
Current CapabilityProduction

• Experimental elements
• QPF
• Snow Amount
• Sky Cover
• Significant Wave Height

• Operational elements
• Maximum Temperature
• Minimum Temperature
• Temperature
• Dew Point
• Probability of Precipitation
• Weather
• Wind Direction
• Wind Speed
• Apparent Temperature
• Relative Humidity
• as of 3/15/06

Operational experimental elements available for
CONUS, Puerto Rico/ Virgin Islands, Hawaii,
Guam
29
Planned Enhancements

• Add as experimental elements during the next 12
  months
• Tropical Cyclone Surface Wind Speed Probabilities
  from the Tropical Prediction Center
• National Convective Outlooks for Days 1 and 2
  from the Storm Prediction Center
• Fire Weather Forecast Parameters
• Elements for Alaska

30
Planned Enhancements

• Improve over the next 12 months
• Accuracy
• Expand Guidance
• e.g., Gridded MOS, Downscaled GFS
• Produce Gridded Verification
• Generate Real-Time Mesoscale Analysis fields
• Resolution
• Provide NDFD forecast elements in 1-hour
  resolution for Days 1-3
• Separate files for Days 1-3 and Days 4-7

31
Planned Enhancements

• Improve over the next 12 months
• Availability (reliability)
• Transition to operational status XML web service
• Support operational status of NWS websites (99.9
  uptime)
• Consistency
• Improve and standardize forecasters grid-editing
  tools
• Modify collaboration thresholds and better
  procedures

32
NWS Budget

• FY06 NWS has a 51M deficit in a base
  operations budget of 610M (labor is 480M or
  79)
• - Mitigation measures include
• - 10-15 labor reduction at NWS HQ
• - 3 labor reduction in field
• - Defer new technology improvements and IT
  refresh
• (e.g.,TDWR access)
• - Reductions in contracts/grants/travel/supplies
  /outreach
• FY07 - PB Base operations 655M (labor is 491M
  or 75)
• - Increases directed for buoys, tsunamis,
  facilities
• - Deficit projected at 30M in Presidents
  budget
• - Expected deficit is at 40-50M range due to
  unfunded pay raises, earmarks, rescissions