Announcement

A "Workshop on High-Resolution Marine Meteorology" will be held at COAPS from 3-5 March 2003. The purposes of the workshop are to identify scientific objectives that can be addressed using high-resolution (sampling intervals less than one hour), high-accuracy marine meteorological observations, and to draft a management plan for U. S. sponsored high resolution data that is consistent with meeting the identified scientific goals. The data management plan will focus on calibration/inter-calibration issues, improved access to high-resolution observations for the user community, and sustaining the observing system to meet science objectives.

The objectives of the workshop include: (1) identifying scientific objectives which can be best achieved using high-resolution marine observations, (2) providing the community with a current status of U. S. sponsored, high-temporal frequency, shipboard meteorological data collection (including data distribution, availability to meet science objectives, and current quality control practices), (3) identifying technical and management issues related to instrument accuracy, calibration, and inter-calibration that will benefit scientific application of high frequency shipboard data, (4) developing a plan that insures routine delivery (real-time and delayed) of calibrated, high quality surface meteorological observations consistent with science objectives, (5) identifying areas where a sustained high-resolution observing system can evolve to better meet science objectives in the future, and (6) identifying areas where collaboration and joint activities would increase both the quality and quantity of data to better meet science objectives.

The meeting format will be formulated around four topic areas (1) science objectives, (2) status of U.S. high-resolution data programs, (3) accuracy, calibration, and inter-calibration, and (4) sustained data management. Scientific objectives addressable with qualified high-resolution marine meteorological data will be identified through short talks and group discussion. Examples include validating new satellite sensors and providing in-situ comparison data for operational and research-driven flux products. The current status of U. S. sponsored high-resolution meteorological measurements will be defined through short oral reports or written reports for those unable to attend. A technical discussion on accuracy, calibration, and inter-calibration of high-resolution marine systems will identify issues for inclusion in the management plan. Currently R/V data management is handled on a ship-by-ship, institute-by-institute basis, making high-quality R/V data difficult to obtain and harder to use for operational and research purposes. Data pathways, quality control, distribution to users, and long term archival of high resolution VOS and R/V data are key issues that will be discussed as part of an overall management plan for U. S. sponsored high-resolution marine meteorological data. The future of high-resolution marine observations will be discussed to identify areas where the observing system can evolve to meet science goals (e.g., improving spatial coverage in target regions). Each technical and management topic will be focused on enhancing the availability and ease of use of high-resolution marine meteorological data to meet the science objectives.

Workshop deliverables will include a written report describing the current status and availability of high-resolution marine observations from U. S. sponsored research and merchant vessels. A data management plan, emphasizing scientific objectives, will include calibration/inter-calibration issues and the delivery of high-resolution data and products to the user community. The plan will contain areas of responsibility, data/product pathways, a timeline for development, and where necessary, cost estimates for developing and evolving the system. Finally, there will be a list of follow-up actions identifying activities that may lead to improvements of the system through synergistic, collaborative, and other low-cost efforts.

Participants of the workshop are asked to consider presenting a short (15 minute) presentation that speaks to one of the four topic areas. The workshop format will include short talks starting each session followed by extended discussion.