WIGOS framework:

Self-assessment checklist for Members

The WMO Integrated Global Observing System (WIGOS)[1]provides a new framework for advancing, integrating and coordinating WMO and co-sponsored observing systems. WIGOS is one of the WMO five strategic priorities, and it lays the foundations for each of the other four, especially the Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS), Disaster Risk Reduction and Capacity Development. By strengthening the global monitoring of the Earth’s atmosphere, ocean surface, thehydrologic cycle andwater resources, WIGOS will greatly improve the information and forecasts available to decision-makers and society as a whole.

The WIGOS Framework Implementation Plan (WIP)[2] details the activities that WMO and its international partners will undertake from 2012 to 2015 in order to establish an operational WIGOS by 2016. The plan focuses on a framework for integrating governance and management mechanisms, functions and activities among the contributing systems. Goals include improving the quality and availability of data and metadata, developing capacity and improving access to data. The plan also seeks to ensure that WIGOS continues to evolve and improve well into the future.The WIP details specific activities for each area and defines deliverables, timelines, responsibilities, costs and risks. It also indicates whether the activity is to be implemented at the global, regional or national levels. The ten key activity areas are as follows:

  1. Management of WIGOS Implementation;
  2. Collaboration with the WMO co-sponsored observing systems and international partner organizations and programmes;
  3. Design, planning and optimized evolution of WIGOS component observing systems;
  4. Observing System Operation and Maintenance;
  5. Quality Management;
  6. Standardization, System Interoperability and Data Compatibility;
  7. The WIGOS Operational Information Resource;
  8. Data Discovery, Access and Retrieval;
  9. Capacity Development;
  10. Communications and Outreach.

The checklist below is to be used by Members to assist them in understanding the WIGOS Framework to be implemented in their country, and in assessing their readiness for the implementation. This provides a reference point for the development of the National WIGOS Implementation Plan (N-WIP). The examples given in brackets provide some ideas that might need to be considered when completing the checklist.

For the WIGOS Project Office to assist Members in developing their national WIGOS implementation plans and WIGOS implementation, it is important that the completed checklist is provided to the WMO Secretariat ().

Self-assessment checklist, p. 1

WIGOS Implementation - Members Feedback: General Information
WMO Region, Country / RA IV:Canada
Contact Details of the National WIGOS Focal Point (FP) / Organization: Meteorological Service of Canada
Name of FP: Alexander Zucconi
Position: Manager, Network Planning and Design
Address:
Meteorological Service of Canada
Environment Canada
4905 Dufferin Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
M3H5T4
Tel.:416-739-5765
Fax:416-739-4261
E-mail:
Date (dd/mm/yyyy) / 01/09/2015
General remarks with regards WIGOS[3] /
  • The majority of activities identified in the WIGOS IP are well aligned with the activities already being undertaken by the MSC
  • A more focussed effort to coordinate the WMO co-sponsored and other observing systems within the WIGOS framework in Canada is desirable (e.g., GCOS, WHYCOS, GAW, GOOS, GTOS and GCW)
  • The scope of engagement over and above our national implementation will need to be discussed by senior MSC management (capacity concerns)
  • A successful implementation of WIGOS in the Region is of benefit to Canada because:
  • expected improvements to the access and quality of observations from non-NMHS operators
  • resulting improvements in weather and climate services from which Canadians will benefit, particularly at the sub-national scale as a result of higher observation densities
  • See page 37 for additional comments/suggestions

Questions/Requests to the WIGOS Project Office

Self-assessment checklist, p. 1

WIGOS Implementation - Members Feedback: 1. Management of WIGOS Implementation
WIGOS implementation is an integrating activity for all WMO and co-sponsored observing systems; it supports all WMO Programmes and activities. The Executive Council and regional associations, through their respective working bodies, have a governing role in the implementation of WIGOS. Technical aspects of WIGOS implementation will be guided by the technical commissions, with leadership provided through CBS and CIMO. Within the WMO Secretariat, WIGOS implementation is supported especially by the Observing and Information Systems (OBS) Department with the WIGOS Project Office, the Climate and Water (CLW) Department,the Research (RES) Departmentand the Development and Regional Activities(DRA)Department.
Members will plan, implement, operate and maintain national observing networks and relevant programmes based on the standard and recommended practices and procedures stated in the WMO Technical Regulations (WMO-No. 49)[4] and the Manual on WIGOS. They will be encouraged to adopt a composite network approach to their networks and to include the acquisition, and onward transmission, of data from external sources, including within NMHSs and other government agencies, the commercial sector and the public. A particular area of focus for WMO Members under WIGOS will be increased attention to site protection and radio frequency spectrum protection.
1.1 Was the Member involved in the development of the WIGOS concept and implementation plans at global and regional levels?
(e.g. memberships of teams, demonstration projects, provision of resources, etc.). / Global:
  • Co-Chair, ICG_WIGOS Task Team on WIGOS Metadata (B. Howe)
  • Invited Expert to ICG-WIGOS in relation to data from external sources (M. Manore)
Regional:
  • Participated in the RA III and RA IV Working Group on WIGOS Implementation Plan – San José, Costa Rica, November 26-30

1.2 Does the Member have an organizational vision and/or strategic plan for their NMHS that will provide an overall context for their implementation of WIGOS at a national level? / Status:
  • The MSC finalized “A Strategic Plan for Hydrometeorological Monitoring in Environment Canada” in January, 2011.
  • The 2011 Plan identifies five key goals:
  1. A knowledgeable, sustainable and healthy workforce
  2. Operate observing networks efficiently, effectively and sustainably
  3. Hydrometeorological data assets are life cycle managed
  4. Lead in creating a Canadian hydrometeorological “Network of Networks”
  5. Maximize exploitation of data and new technologies

Plans:
  • In addition to the 2011 Meteorological Service of Canada’s (MSC) Monitoring Strategic Plan, The Monitoring and Data Services Directorate (MDSD) will coordinate an MSC WIGOS Implementation Team with representation from all directorates in the MSC. This work will include the development of a strategic plan for incorporating WIGOS into the ongoing network planning at the MSC.

Issues/Gaps:
  • None identified at this time.

1.3 Does the Member have a management mechanism for planning and coordination of their national meteorological and related observing systems which can provide the foundation for planning their WIGOS implementation? / Status:
  • Yes, the MSC’s Monitoring and Data Services Directorate (MDSD) is responsible for the operation of the Canadian national monitoring networks for weather, water and climate and is supported by numerous management mechanisms that willsupport/oversee the WIGOS implementation.
  • Partial. While MOUs and operating arrangements exist with a variety of other jurisdictions (e.g. Provinces) there is no single national mechanism for coordination with external partners.

Plans:
  • Continued engagement of other jurisdictions and institutions through the ‘Network of Networks’ framework

Issues/Gaps:
  • Limited engagement with some jurisdictions and the private sector – capacity constrained.
  • No single national mechanism for coordination wit eh provinces.

1.4 Is there well-established cooperation amongst meteorological, hydrological, marine/oceanographic and academic/ research institutions/services where they are separated at the national level?
Note: This question refers to the institutions as a whole, not just theobserving systems elements. / Status:
  • Environment Canada (EC) and the MSC collaborate with many agencies and organizations from various jurisdictions within Canada (at the federal, provincial and in some cases municipal level). This includes support for operational activities, as well as academic research initiatives.

Plans:
  • Eventually other federal (e.g., Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)), provincial/territorial, private, and academic networks will be included into the Network of Networks (NoN) project. This is a long-term project dependent on establishing long-term cooperative relationships between the MSC and other federal, provincial/territorial, and non-government organizations.

Issues/Gaps:
  • Collaboration can be limited by capacity – developing and maintaining these cooperative relationships requires ongoing commitment of resources which is not always possible amidst other priorities.

WIGOS Implementation - Members Feedback: 2. Collaboration with the WMO co-sponsored observing systems and international partner organizations and programmes
WIGOS will be an integrated, comprehensive, and coordinated system primarily comprising the surface-based and space-based observing components of the GOS, GAW, GCW, and WMO Hydrological Observing System (incl. WHYCOS), and all WMO contributions to GCOS, GOOS and GTOS. In contrast to the primarily NMHS owned observing systems upon which the World Weather Watch (WWW) was built, the proposed WIGOS component observing systems may be owned and operated by a diverse array of organizations, both operational and research. Building on the ‘hub’ provided by the NMHS, WIGOS will provide a mechanism for strengthened interactions between research and operational observing communities that is important for sustaining and evolving observing systems and practices, in line with new science and technology outcomes. Specifically, these activities aim to enhance cooperation amongst meteorological, hydrological, marine/oceanographic and academic/research institutions/services where they are separated at the national level.
2.1 To what extent does the NMHS operate the full suite of WIGOS-relevant meteorological and related observing networks, both surface-based and space-based components?
(i.e. those that correspond to the breadth of WMO and co-sponsored networks embraced by WIGOS, both space-based and surface-based components.)
Note:Reference is given to the WIGOS Framework Implementation Plan, Section 2.3 for a comprehensive list of initial WIGOS surface-based observing networks. / Status:
  • Surface synoptic stations (Land and Sea stations);
  • MSC/SWCN & NavCan – stations with synoptic IDs (see Vol. A)
  • Upper-air (UA) synoptic stations (Land and Sea stations);
  • MSC/UA – 31 stations (all land based)
  • Aircraft meteorological stations;
  • EC/Jazz Air AMDAR program
  • Aeronautical meteorological stations;
  • MSC/SWCN & NavCan – stations at aerodromes
  • Research and special-purpose vessel stations;
  • N/A
  • Climatological stations;
  • MSC/SWCN/Reference Climate Stations (RCS)
  • GCOS Surface Network (GSN);
  • MSC/SWCN & NavCan stations (approx. 86)
  • Regional Basic Synoptic Network
  • Regional Basic Climate Network
  • GCOS Upper-Air Network (GUAN);
  • MSC/UA – 5 stations
  • GCOS Reference Upper-Air Network (GRUAN);
  • N/A
  • Agricultural meteorological stations;
  • Approximately 150 agricultural (SWx4) stations
  • Hydrological stations; and
  • National Hydrometric Service – 2700+ (partnership between EC and provinces/territories)
  • Special stations, that include:
  • Weather radar stations;
  • 31 radar stations
  • Radiation stations;
  • N/A
  • Wind profiler stations;
  • N/A
  • Atmospherics detection stations (lightning detection network stations);
  • MSC/Vaisala
  • The Canadian Lightning Detection Network is fully integrated with the United States National Lightning Detection Network, forming the largest combined lightning detection network in the world, with 189 sensors (84 in Canada and 105 in the United States).
  • Micrometeorological flux stations;
  • N/A
  • Plant phenology observing stations;
  • N/A
  • Meteorological rocket stations;
  • N/A
  • Global Atmosphere Watch (GAW) stations;
  • EC/Science & Technology Branch (S&T) – Canadian Air and Precipitation Monitoring Network (CAPMon)
  • Global Cryosphere Watch stations, including CryoNet stations;
  • EC/S&T?? – uncertain if ice data is shared via WIS.
  • Planetary boundary-layer stations;
  • N/A.
  • Data buoys (drifting and moored) and ocean surface gliders;
  • EC/Marine Network.
  • Ocean profiling floats and sub-surface gliders;
  • N/A (DFO).
  • Ship-based observations (surface marine, oceanographic, and upper-air);
  • EC/Marine Network.
  • Tide-gauge stations; and
  • N/A (DFO).
  • Tsunami monitoring stations.
  • N/A (DFO).

Plans:
  • The MSC Renewal II Program includes:
  • 40 net new surface weather stations.
  • Standardized operations of full network
  • modernization of various observing networks – e.g, radar
  • Space-Based:
  • The Government of Canada is exploring options for a potential Canadian-led project, with potential international partners, to satisfy requirements in Satellite Communications, weather imagining, and space weather (Polar Communication and Weather (PCW))

Issues/Gaps:
  • While Canada is a significant contributor to the international program of GCOS, GOOS and GTOS, there tends to be, with the exception of specific initiatives, little national coordination between the atmosphere, oceans and terrestrial systematic monitoring programs.
  • Some components of GOOS and GTOS operated by other federal agencies (e.g. NRCan, DFO, etc.).

2.2 If WIGOS-relevant observing systems are operated within the Member’s jurisdiction by parties other than the NMHS (e.g. GAW stations, oceanographic observations, space-based observations, etc.), are arrangements in place to allow observations to be exchanged and accessed? / Status:
  • Variable and ad hoc based on specific bi-lateral operational requirements.
  • Network of Network program is establishing agreement and technical mechanisms to facilitate and accelerate data exchange with other federal departments, Provinces and other institutions

Plans:
  • The Network of Networks (NoN) initiative will allow for the exchange of hydrometeorological data from multiple observational data providers(i.e. non-NHMS) through a central NMHS data server.
  • Gov’t of Canada and various Provincial Open Data directives are accelerating the publishing of discovery metadata and access for government data holdings. In early implementation phase 2015 for 2019 full compliance

Issues/Gaps:
  • Metadata management – helping non-NHMS organizations(i) recognize the importance of metadata to support broad exchange and use of data, and (ii) achieve common metadata standards for these non-NHMS providersare challenges.
  • Full sustainability of several long-term systematic atmospheric, oceanic and terrestrial surface-based/in-situ monitoring programs is an issue when the continuity of these programs depends on short-term research projects and action plans.

2.3 What formal or informal collaborative arrangements exist between the NMHS and different organizations within the Member country to support and/or supplement the operation of core national observing networks (including contributions to co-sponsored observing systems)? / Status:
  • Formal agreements include :
  • Hydrometric Program – Joint collaboration EC and P/Ts – standardized and operated by NH program
  • NavCan (weather observation program at airports)
  • Various Provinces (e.g. AB)
  • PanAM Games – municipal levels (e.g. TRCA, GRCA)
  • Air Quality data exchange and products with Provinces
  • Agriculture and Agri-food Canada
  • Various (formal/informal) arrangements for data access/exchange also exist.

Plans:
  • Network of Networks initiative
  • The Canadian Network of Networks (NoN) is a voluntary, collaborative and multi-participant approach to monitoring that will encourage and facilitate participants to share and improve the quality of weather data for the benefit of all involved.
  • The NoN will include data policies and technical guidelines/standards to encourage and facilitate timely and open exchange of data among many contributors.
  • The NoN will encourage and facilitate data discovery, access, and sharing of data of known quality.
  • The NoN will be managed through Memorandum of Understanding arrangements.

Issues/Gaps:
  • Challenges of limited capacity and prioritization of numerous data access opportunities

2.4 To what extent does the Member collaborate with other organizations in supporting, operating and/or evolving related observing networks (i.e.other than WMO and co-sponsored observing systems)?
(e.g. CTBTO, traffic weather networks, crop monitoring systems, research) / Status:
  • Collaboration regarding support, operation, and/or evolution of observing systems within the Canadian federal government is limited at this time.
  • ARGO Program – operated by Fisheries and Oceans Canada independent of EC/MSC and supported by ARGO International Program.
  • Space-based Monitoring – collaboration with Canada Space Agency, Natural Resources Canada to support operations, reception, processing and approval of new satellite missions.
  • Collaboration with provincial/territorial monitoring networks is increasing in both frequency and scope through the Network of Networks (NoN) initiative (refer to Q2.3); currently these networks include traditional hydrometeorological networks (highway conditions, agricultural, forest fire, etc.).

Plans:
  • NoN –additional collaboration will continue with both provincial/territorial and federal partners and will eventually include private hydrometeorological system operators (e.g. academia, energy sectors).

Issues/Gaps:
  • General capacity challenges – MSC is focussing on core mandate of network operations; collaboration with external organizations on related networks is considered a secondary priority.
  • Maintaining relationships over the long-term with partners is critical to facilitating exchange of information; however this can be challenging during times of fiscal pressure given higher priority tasks.

2.5 Are there any barriers at a national level to participation by national and/or international organisations in WIGOS?
(e.g. inability to allocate WMO station identifiers, lack of inter-organization cooperation, conflicting mandates) / Status:
  • Willingness for cooperation is high, but is largely capacity and priority constrained – during periods of fiscal restraint in an environment with competing mandates and priorities.

Plans:
  • Improved domestic engagement –the MSC will attempt to identifyand leverage existing relationships for domestic engagement on weather, water and climate observations.
  • Possible establishment of a national coordination committee for met observations