Remedy 1: Operationalize measurements to be 24/7 on an instrument-by-instrument and site-by-site basis.

Primary gap remedy type: 
Technical
Secondary gap remedy type: 
Laboratory
Proposed remedy description: 

The precise remedy will be specific to individual cases. But, in general, it requires an assessment on a per-instrument and per-site basis of the current impediments to continuous operation of the asset and to rapid data delivery. Once the reason(s) underlying are known, then work can be undertaken to address them. Generally, these reasons may fall into several categories:

 

  • Technical innovations or modifications to the instrumentation to enable continuous operations;

  • Modifications to instrument housing;

  • Modifications to data analysis system

  • Funding increases to maintain the instrumentation and operations (data acquisition and analysis) and to enable more continuous operation and more rapid data analysis and dissemination.

 

Automation of observations and data analysis are key to achieving an optimised non-satellite observing system. Another path to more rapid data delivery is centralisation of the data processing in a network, with the condition that the central facility has the required expertise, maintains contacts with the network partners to evolve as the state-of-the-art evolves, and has sustained funding support. Amongst others, resolution of these issues shall require the participation of instrument scientists, site operators, networks, and funding agencies. 

Relevance: 

Remedy will be specific to individual cases. But, in general, it requires an assessment on a per-instrument and per-site basis of the current impediments to continuous operation of the asset. 

Measurable outcome of success: 

Increased number of high-quality non-satellite data available, providing a sufficient number of co-locations with satellite measurements on a sustained and more continuous basis, and providing the possibility to bridge successive satellite missions. 

Expected viability for the outcome of success: 
  • High
Scale of work: 
  • Programmatic multi-year, multi-institution activity
Time bound to remedy: 
  • Less than 10 years
Indicative cost estimate (exploitation): 
  • Yes
Potential actors: 
  • National funding agencies
  • National Meteorological Services
  • WMO
  • ESA, EUMETSAT or other space agency
  • Academia, individual research institutes
  • SMEs/industry
  • National measurement institutes