RRR Database

WMO Observational Requirements and Capabilities Database

Maintained by the WMO Space Programme, the database on observational requirements and observing capabilities (both space-based and surface-based) is a component of the Rolling Requirements Review process.

Observing Requirements Database

This database records observational user requirements formulated by WMO and co-sponsored programmes: GCOS, GOOS, WCRP. The requirements are regularly reviewed by groups of experts nominated by these organizations and programmes.

For WMO, this process is conducted by the Expert Team on Evolution of the Global Observing System (ET-EGOS) and its designated focal points for each of the WMO application areas (e.g. Global NWP, High-resolution NWP, Synoptic meteorology, Nowcasting and Very Short Range Forecasting, Seasonal to Inter-annual Monitoring, Atmospheric chemistry, Aeronautical meteorology, Agricultural meteorology, Hydrology and water resources).

Requirements are expressed for geophysical variables in terms of 5 criteria: horizontal resolution, vertical resolution, observing cycle, timeliness and uncertainty. For each of these criteria the table indicates 3 values determined by experts:

- the “threshold” is the minimum requirement to be met to ensure that data are useful
- the “goal” is an ideal requirement above which further improvements are not necessary
- the “breakthrough” is an intermediate level between “threshold” and “goal“ which, if achieved, would result in a significant improvement for the targeted application. The breakthrough level may be considered as an optimum, from a cost-benefit point of view, when planning or designing observing systems.

Access the new WMO Observing Requirements Database here: www.wmo-sat.info/db

Observing capabilities (space or surface-based)

The database of surface- and space-based observing systems capabilities is currently under development.

The information to be included in the space-based part of this future database is, for the time being, available through the WMO Dossier on the space-based component of the GOS (available for download).

The information to be included in the surface-based part of this future database is not available for the time being.

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