Working Group for Meteorological Codes

21 Feb 2007, 12:00 – 2:45 PM EST

Chair: Mr. Jeff Ator

OFCM: Lt Col Dave Andrus

Telecon # 888-680-9581. Pass code 535430GoToMeeting https://www.gotomeeting.com/join/278825521, ID is 278-825-521

Agenda

Welcome and Introductions Administrative Remarks Review of open action items WMO Update Plans for next meeting Review of new action items

Administrative Remarks

Attendance roster Microphones for telecon and

recording GoToMeeting use Facility information

Facility Diagram

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WOMEN

ToiletKit

Copier

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Meeting room

Working for Met Codes Approve Meeting 06-3 Record of Actions Link to document

Action Item Update (1/11)

Action Item 04-4 WG membership needs to expand to include NESDIS, NASA, Federal Highways, and others. This needs to be addressed with CEISC again. The lead agents are Mr. Branski and Lt Col Andrus. The WG discussed need to readdress this item. All

concurred that more needs to be done to seek additional members. CEISC assistance is still needed. The WG sees a need for NESDIS involvement and would also like to have NASA and the Federal Highway Administration represented. This will be brought up to CEISC again. Open.

13 Feb 07 Update. OFCM is working to obtain greater FWHA participation. This is also a topic for the next CEISC meeting.

Action Item Update (2/11)

Action Item 05-2.2 Steve Albersheim will update WG concerning FMH-1 changes driven by WMO Annex 3 changes. The lead agent is Mr. Albersheim.

The WG discussed the need to address Action Item 05-2.2 with Mr. Albersheim to confirm completion. Open.

Action Item Update (3/11)

Action Item 05-2.4 Draft working paper on hail issue. The lead agent is FAA/Albersheim.

October 2006 update. Previously, NWS requested the WG reevaluate the current ¾ inch threshold for defining storms as severe. NWS is interested in consider a 1 inch threshold. Previous work by Mary Cairns was unable to find documented requirements for a ¾ inch standard threshold. Furthermore, the USAF issues installation weather warnings for varying hail sizes (any size hail up to 1 inch hail) dependent upon operational needs. As of this time, OFCM is awaiting an update from FAA regarding their requirements concerning a hail size threshold for severe weather. Any changes would impact the National Severe Level Storms Operational Plan.

February 2007 update. Information from NSSL web page, http://www.nssl.noaa.gov/primer/hail/hail_faq.shtml, indicated that: “The ¾ inch size limit for hail is based on a 1952 study of the ‘smallest size of hailstones that cause significant damage at airplane speeds between 200 and 300 mph.’ Though this was based on DC-3 type aircraft, hail remains a significant hazard to aviation. “ Open.

Action Item Update (4/11)

Action Item 05-2.5 Steve Albersheim will update WG on the potential need for changes to FMH-12 due to possible AIRMET changes. The lead agent is Mr. Albersheim.

The WG discussed the need to get an update from Mr. Albersheim on 05-2.5 (part 2). This appears to be a separate item, deserving of another Action Item number, if indeed it’s still open. Open.

Action Item Update (5/11) Action Item 06-1.1 NWS will make sample

BUFR and CREX data available to members for code development and testing. The lead agent: NWS/Mr. Smith.

Mr. Branski discussed this effort and all agreed that these data samples are still needed. Other nations are starting to make these data available and these will soon be hosted at NWS. Mr. Smith is the new NWS lead for this.

WG members said the desire is not for live data at this time. Live data can cause operational problems. Seeking static, sample data at this time. Open.

Action Item Update (6/11)

Action Item 06-2.3 Mr. Branski and Mr. Albersheim will determine the capability of WAFS workstations for GRIB1, GRIB2, and BUFR. The lead agents are Mr. Branski and Mr. Albersheim.

The WG confirmed that this capability exists within NWS. Lt Col Andrus will check with Mr. Albersheim before it is formally closed. Open.

Action Item Update (7/11)

Action Item 06-3.1 WG members will consider members of their organizations, and of other OFCM groups, for recommendation to membership on the CBS XML group. Names will be provided at the next WG meeting. The task is for all WG members. The lead agent is Mr. Ator. Open

Action Item Update (8/11)

Action Item 06-3.2 Following the November CBS meeting, Mr. Branski will extract the appropriate documents and recommendations regarding migration and will provide these along with plans that are already in progress to the WG. The lead agent is Mr. Branski. Open

Action Item Update (9/11)

Action Item 06-3.3 Following the November CBS meeting, Mr. Branski will inform the WG concerning CBS’ acceptance of the various proposals. The lead agent is Mr. Branski. Open

Action Item Update (10/11)

Action Item 06-3.4 Mr. Branski will review requirements for use of communication nulls and will inform the WG of them along with NWS plans for changes. The lead agent is Mr. Branski. Open

Action Item Update (11/11)

Action Item 06-3.5 Mr. Branski will work with Mr. Smith to provide a catalog of products in various formats for use. The lead agents are Mr. Branski and Mr. Smith. Open

WMO Update

Mr. Fred Branski

Next Meeting?

New Action Items?

Agenda

Welcome and Introductions Administrative Remarks Review of open action items WMO Update Plans for next meeting Review of new action items

Action Item Update (1/2)

WMO CBS Meeting Nov ‘06 6.2.x.18 EC-LVIII had requested CBS to address the data representation requirements of the user community, in view of the demand for the use of modern industry standards, such as XML; it noted in this regard the emerging requirements from the aeronautical community, which should be addressed in collaboration with CAeM and ICAO. The Commission also noted the reports from several countries on the use of XML and NetCDF; the Commission decided to study the real implications of using these data forms for meteorological data, especially in operational meteorological real time exchanges, and assessing the development efforts and resources that would be required. The Commission requested its Management Group to establish an Expert Team within the OPAG-ISS for assessing advantages and disadvantages, including implications (need for defining standardization, data processing development and integration, costs and benefits: flexibility, compression, feasibility of implementation, etc.), of different data representation systems (e.g. BUFR, CREX, XML, NetCDF, HDF) for use in real time operational international exchanges between NMHSs and in transmission of information to users outside the NMHSs. The Expert Team should develop recommendations on the most appropriate system depending on the type of exchange applications and report on the possible impacts of its findings on the migration to TDCF. All WMO Technical Commissions should be invited to participate in this Ad-Hoc Expert Team. http://www.wmo.ch/web/www/BAS/CBS-meetings.html