Raising the benefits of meteorological services and satellites

Stephan Bojinski, Space Programme Haleh Kootval, Public Weather Services Programme

WMO/EUMETSAT Side Event, 23 Sep 2014

EUMETSAT Meteorological Satellite Conference

22-26 Sep 2014, Geneva

Raising the Benefits of Meteorological Services and

Satellites

Mission Statements

WMO:

“To provide world leadership in expertise and international

cooperation in weather, climate, hydrology and water

resources and related environmental issues and thereby

contribute to the safety and well-being of people

throughout the world and to the economic benefit of all

nations.”

World Bank:

“Working for a world free of poverty.”

History

Interest since 1960s in valuation of meteo/hydro

services, driven by:

Science & Technology

Expected benefits from

investments

1961: US President J.F. Kennedy addressed the UN Assembly: “… Here, new scientific tools have become available. With modern computers, rockets and satellites, the time is ripe to harness a variety of disciplines for a concerted attack … the atmospheric sciences require worldwide observations and, hence, international cooperation…”

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World Weather Watch: Significant investments

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Observations Tele

communication

Processing &

Forecasting Services

Observations:

Estimated cost: 5-10 billion USD annually

Global Climate Observing System:

Additional cost: 2.5 billion USD annually

(GCOS IP 2010)

Significant Benefits:

Weather and climate-sensitive areas

Value-adding of meteorological services

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Benefit studies help to:

1. Foster forecast and service innovation

- Assess impacts

- Justify investments in basic services

2. Assess value for tax money

3. Identify value for all weather, climate-sensitive sectors

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Question:

“Why do we need the weather service? For weather information, I go to the Weather Channel…” Answer:

“Why do we need 9 million milk cows in this country? For milk, I go to the supermarket…”

(pers.comm., 2006)

Guidance by WMO

To assist NMHSs in:

1. Assessing socio-economic benefits of weather and

climate services, and

2. Communicating these benefits

Conferences (e.g., Madrid 2007)

Expert Groups (e.g., in WMO Region VI – Europe)

Joint WMO – World Bank Guideline (release March 2015): - Compilation of methodologies

- Practical guidance

- Case studies

To increase mutual understanding between meteorologists

and economists

Increase cost-benefit of satellites by:

Coordinating satellite assets, and

Enhancing satellite data utilization

Space-based Global Observing System Satellite datasets monitored at ECMWF

CGMS: 13 satellite operator members

CEOS: 31 members

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Guidance by WMO

Current constellation

Preparing users to the next generation of meteorological satellites 2015-2020

Next-generation constellation

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Satellite User Readiness Navigator

portal (SATURN)

Reference User Readiness Project • Generic timeline with respect to launch

date

(-5/-4/-3 years etc.)

• Deliverables for users and satellite

operators

Use of OSCAR tool for gap analysis

and planning www.wmo.int/oscar/space

(>600 satellites, >800 instruments)

Guidance by WMO

Common product standards

(e.g., RGB composites)

Support to international

science groups

Training and

capacity building

Summary

WMO assists in raising the benefits from

meteorological services and satellites, by

Guiding the assessment and communication of such

benefits

Providing support to NMHSs

Coordinating, and enhancing the use of, satellites

Challenges:

How to quantify benefits beyond NWP: climate and

related services

Ensure user readiness to next generation satellites

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www.wmo.int

Thank you for your attention

Stephan Bojinski

sbojinski@wmo.int