The Global Cryosphere Watch (GCW)
Surface Observations Programme CryoNet
Wolfgang Schöner
on behalf of the GCW-CryoNet team
Central Institute of Meteorology and Geodynamics
Vienna, Austria
and University of Graz
A Changing Cryosphere is Important
Sea level rise threatens vital infrastructure.
GCW will provide, directly or indirectly, data, information,
Changes in sea-ice affect access to the polar
products and analyses
that
willtourism,
helpandMembers
and
oceans and
resources,
security.
Declining summer sea-ice affects ocean
partners provide needed
services to the wider user
circulation and weather patterns.
community.
Natural hazards such as icebergs, avalanches
and glacier outburst floods create risks.
GCW will help us understand, assess, predict, mitigate, and
Permafrost thawing impacts infrastructure
adapt to climate variability
and is potentially and
a majorchange
source of and improve
methane, a greenhouse gas.
weather forecasting
and hazard warnings, thus helping
in the cryosphere impact water
reduce the risk ofChanges
loss
of life and property from natural and
supply, food production, freshwater
ecosystems, hydropower production, and
human-induced disasters.
the risk of floods and droughts.
Chair: Jeff Key (NOAA), Barry
Goodison
(IMO), EC-PORS
Retreating
sea(WMO),
ice resultsArni
in aSnorrason
loss of habitat
for mammals such as polar bears and seals.
What is GCW doing?
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•
•
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•
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developing a network of surface observations called "CryoNet",
which builds on existing networks;
developing measurement guidelines and best practices;
refining observational requirements for the WMO Rolling
Review of Requirements;
engaging in and supporting, intercomparisons of products, e.g.,
the GCW Snow Watch project;
contributing to WMO’s space-based capabilities database (with
PSTG);
creating unique products, e.g., the SWE Tracker, in collaboration
with partners;
engaging in historical data rescue (e.g., snow depth);
building a snow and ice glossary;
developing international training and outreach materials;
providing up-to-date information on the state of the
cryosphere;
providing access to data through a portal;
co-sponsoring workshops.
Example: The need for common terminology
Snow depth: Snow depth is the depth of accumulated snow
on the ground, measured at several points that appear
representative of the immediate area and then averaged.
(Canada National Climate Archive)
Snow depth: The combined total depth of both the old and
new snow on the ground. (NOAA Snow/Ice)
Snow depth: The combined total depth of both old and new
snow on the ground. (NSIDC)
Snow depth: In the firn area, the vertical distance between
the glacier surface and the summer surface; outside the firn
area, the vertical distance between the glacier surface and
the ice surface (which may be superimposed ice or glacier
ice) at the time of observation. (UNESCO Glacier Mass
Balance)
GCW framework
Portal (met.no)
Website (NOAA)
GCW timeline so far
WMO 16th Congress
approves GCW
development
WMO 15th Congress
welcomes proposal
for GCW
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
First Snow Watch
workshop
(Toronto)
CryoNet Team
meeting
(Reykjavik)
First CryoNet
workshop
(Vienna)
2012
Cg-17
GCW
Implement.
2013
2014
Asia CryoNet
workshop
(Beijing)
2015
Pre-operational
First GCW
Implementation
Workshop
(Geneva)
IGOS
Cryosphere
Theme Report
published
2016
South America
CryoNet workshop
Interim Steering
Group meeting
(Reykjavik)
CryoNet (subset of GCW observations) objectives
CryoNet will link with different cryospheric observational
networks to achieve its comprehensive potential through
 Extensive monitoring of the cryosphere through
harmonized measurements
 Providing cryospheric-data for improved process
understanding and modelling
 Providing calibration and validation data for satellite
products
 Linking cryospheric ground truth observations to
cryospheric models
 Training for cryospheric observations
 Standardized guidelines for cryospheric observations
 Long-term, sustainable observing and monitoring.
Motivation for CryoNet
active compilation of standardised & quality checked data
scientific observations of the cryosphere
M. Zemp, 2011
lake & river ice
...
sea ice
...
snow
...
ice sheets
...
glaciers
GTN-G
permafrost
GTN-P
GCW CryoNET
Asia CryoNet Meeting, Bejing, China, Dec. 2013
First questionaire CryoNet Meeting Vienna 11-2012
Support national needs
Data policy on archiving, accessibility and
exchange
Cooperation with existing networks:
Inter-comparison experiments (e.g. sensors,
methods
STD
Standards, guidelines and training for
observations:
Mean
Harmonisation of cryospheric network:
Establishment of supersite network:
Establishment of CryoNet tier#1-tier#4
network:
0
n= 21
0.5
1
1.5
1=LOW 2=MEDIUM 3=HIGH
2
2.5
3
The site types of CryoNet
•Surface measurement sites. Over 150 have been “offered” so far;
“Sphere” refers to the different components of the climate system, e.g., cryosphere,
atmosphere, biosphere
CryoNet sites must meet a minimum set of requirements:
(examples only not full list)
1. The site location is chosen such that, for the variables
measured, it is spatially/temporally representative for
measuring one or several components of the cryosphere.
2. CryoNet sites have to be active and perform sustained
observations according to CryoNet agreed practices.
3. Technical personnel are trained in the operation of the
equipment at the site.
4. For reference and integrated sites, there is an intent by the
responsible agencies to long-term observations of at least
one of the CryoNet variables.
5. The measurements are made and quality controlled
according to CryoNet agreed practices.
GCW questionaire at www.globalcryospherewatch.org
Initial CryoNet stations/sites
www.globalcryospherewatch.org
Take home messages:
Added values of GCW CryoNet for satellite community
GCW CryoNet will offer new quality for CAL/VAL tasks
because of:
- Better access to cryospheric data on global scale
- High level of standardization of observations
- Improved spatial coverage
- New parameters of observation (physical properties
of snow)
- Characterisation of sensors from intercomparison
experiments (e.g. SPICE)
e.g. Snow cover, snow depth, SWE but also for other
variables to be defined in cooperation between GCWCryoNet and satellite community.
Questions?