In situ SST Observations of SST
What GHRSST-PP uses in situ SST observations for
In situ observations of SST from buoys, ships and profilers form a necessary component of GHRSST-PP activities for:
- L2P and L4 Product validation, verification and quality control
- L4 bias correction, validation, verification and quality control
- SSES derivatio, validation, verification and quality control
Operational buoys are managed and monitored by the Data Buoy Coordination Panel (DBCP). Coordination of Volunteer Observing Ship (VOS) is managed by the JCOMM Ship Obervations Team (SOT).
Operational In situ SST quality control
The following tools are useful for working with operational in situ SST observations:
- Suspect lists for all VOS SST data are published on the Met Office web site (lead centre for monitoring marine data) at http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/research/nwp/observations/monitoring/marine/VOF/Pub47_SUSPECTS.html QC problems are notified to VOS operators and Port Meteorological Officers (PMOs) at the national level for resolution and are also issued internationally via the JCOMMOPS QC relay system.
- A tool to generate call sign based QC statistics for VOS at http://www.meteo.shom.fr/qctools/rechstatv.htm
- VOSClim SST monitoring suspect lists ( to tighter criteria ) are produced by the Met Office for the VOSClim Project which are available at http://lwf.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/vosclim/vosclim-stats.html. VOSClim ship operators are also advised by email of any SST problems so that they can be resolved as soon as possible - either by PMO visit or by direct email to the ships concerned.
- Statistics for drifting buoys SST are produced by the Met Office for at http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/research/nwp/observations/monitoring/marine/Drifters/index.html. SST QC problems are relayed to other buoy operators via an international QC email system, and data taken off the GTS as necessary ( by the GTS coordinators).
(Last Updated: 03-08-2007)