3.2    Expert Team on CLIPS Operations, Verification and Application Services

 

NB: this ET is the result of a merger of CCl-XIII ETs on CLIPS Operations, Verification and End-User Liaison.  Pending agreement on a merged and prioritized Terms of Reference (ToRs) for ET 3.2, the ToRs for each of the CCl-XIII ETs are presented.  The leaders of each of the former ETs will serve as co-leads for the new ET 3.2, and one will serve as overall coordinator.

 

3.2.1  Members of ET 3.2

 

Operations co-lead:

Philbert Tibaijuka

Tanzania

Verification co-lead:

Simon Mason

U.S.A.

User Liaison co-lead:

Jaakko Helminen

Finland

Overall ET coordinator:

Philbert Tibaijuka

Tanzania

Experts:

Holger Meinke

Australia

 

Matilde Rusticucci

Argentina

 

Massoukina-Kountima

Congo

 

Gao Hui

China

 

Vyacheslav Razuvaev

Russian Federation

 

 

 

 

 

3.2.2  Terms of Reference for ET 3.2

Note that in the General Summary Text of the proceedings of the fourteenth session of the Commission for Climatology (3-10 November 2005, Beijing China) it is noted (item 11.2.6(g)) that the Terms of Reference are broad, long-term goals that constitute a framework to guide the work of the Expert Team (ET), and that each ET will set workplans with Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-bound (SMART) goals consistent with that framework (see 4.2.3 below)

 

ToRs of the CCl-XIII OPAG 3 ET 3.3 on CLIPS Operations, including Product Generation, with Emphasis on Countries in Need

 

(a)     To keep under review and update the list of NMHS, Regional Climate Centre (RCC) and other regional specialized climate centre requirements, as listed in the General Summary of the Session of the Intercommission Task Team on Regional Climate Centres (WMO/TD‑No.1070, WCASP-52) for input for dynamic and statistical forecasts, observational data and training activities, to enable the generation of climate outlook products;

(b)     To assess the skill of monthly, seasonal to interannual predictions to ensure a common understanding of the current skill among the Global Producing Centres, RCCs, NMHSs and users;

(c)     To consider the implication and implementation of research recommendations, especially relating to consensus forecast methodology, downscaling and multi-ensemble modeling, and provide appropriate guidance on the development of improved methods for climate forecasts to support climate applications;

(d)     To assess continuously the status (including adequacy and availability) and opportunities of climate prediction activities, on different scales and their potential to meet user requirements;

(e)     To make recommendations on the preparation and provision of both deterministic and probabilistic climate prediction information for sector specific uses, including formats used;

(f)      To develop definitions of terminology used in operational climate prediction in order to facilitate understanding of these terms;

(g)     To produce and update a guide to best operational practices in the generation of climate information and prediction products for users, with an emphasis on countries in need;

(h)     To advise the Implementation/Coordination Group and submit reports in accordance with timetables established by the OPAG chair and/or Management Group;

(i)      To explore, document and make recommendations for addressing the needs for capacity building in each region, pertinent to this topic;

(j)      To maintain close links with CBS on the issues involved.

 

 

 

ToRs of the CCl-XIII OPAG 3 ET 3.4 on Verification

 

(a)     To identify requirements of RCCs, NMHSs and users for verifying information on intraseasonal, seasonal and interannual predictions from the perspectives of both deterministic and probabilistic forecasts, including its presentation; 

(b)     To identify requirements of users in different applications sectors for verifying information on products they receive;

(c)     To produce: 

(i)      A critical review of the methods of forecast verification currently used in both deterministic and probabilistic intraseasonal, seasonal and interannual prediction;

(ii)     An appraisal of the information content of these methods from the perspective of applications;

(iii)    A review of the methods by which forecast skill is currently presented to NMHSs and users; and to generate advice on the suitability of these methods from the perspective of both NMHSs and the users;

(d)     To identify and develop, as necessary, appropriate verification techniques for seasonal to interannual predictions, as well as methods for their presentation in order to satisfy the user requirements;

(e)     To promote the use of both standardized and recommended techniques through the development of verification intercomparison projects; 

(f)      To develop definitions of terminology used in verification in order to facilitate user understanding of these terms; 

(g)     To maintain close links with the CBS ET on Verification;

(h)     To prepare a review of methods for the assessment of forecast skill and to recommend methods for verifying intraseasonal, seasonal and interannual forecasts;

(i)      To incorporate the WMO cross-cutting themes (on Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, Space/GEO and Least Developed Countries) into planning and activities of the ET, and to collaborate as needed with experts (across all related disciplines) in other CCl ETs, in ETs of other WMO Technical Commissions, and in relevant external Organizations;

(j)      To explore, document and make recommendations for addressing the needs for capacity building in each region, pertinent to this topic;

(k)     To submit reports in accordance with timetables established by the OPAG chair and/or Management Group.

 

ToRs of the CCl-XIII OPAG 3 ET 3.6 on End-user Liaison

 

(a)     To provide guidance on, and make recommendations for, the design and conduct of specific demonstration and pilot projects, including the calculation of cost/benefits and value of climate predictions from the user point of view;

(b)     To give guidance on the assessment and management of user needs, as well as to draft a Guide on the best practices in user liaison in consultation with users;

(c)     To monitor current impacts of climate services on user decision processes, including those related to monthly to seasonal predictions and to quality-checked minimum-delay datasets;

(d)     To develop, in conjunction with OPAG 2, guidelines for interaction between the NMHS and the user community to establish and use Climate Watches and/or climate Early Warning Systems;

(e)     To complete the update to TN 145, now ‘The Socio-economic benefits of climatological Services’;

(f)      To incorporate the WMO cross-cutting themes (on Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, Space/GEO and Least Developed Countries) into planning and activities of the ET, and to collaborate as needed with experts (across all related disciplines) in other CCl ETs, in ETs of other WMO Technical Commissions, and in relevant external Organizations;

(g)     To explore, document and make recommendations for addressing the needs for capacity building in each region, pertinent to this topic;

(h)     To submit reports in accordance with timetables established by the OPAG chair and/or Management Group.