Satellite SST validation relies on data from drifting buoys. GHRSST and the JCOMM DBCP established a pilot project to define a standard for SST measurements from drifting buoys known as HRSST (high resolution sea surface temperature). The majority of buoys now deployed are HRSST compliant so it is pertinent to analyse the current drifter network to confirm they meet the HRSST standard and to also revisit and refine the standard as required.

OBJECTIVES

• Analyse the quality and performance of the current drifter network with a particular focus on HRSST drifters.
• Revise the HRSST specification and also propose an initial standard for FRM drifters.

ACTIVITIES

Task 1: Perform initial assessment of current drifters and their compliance with HRSST
Task 2: To propose an uncertainty model for the drifter network
Task 3: Define a protocol for real-time quality control of drifting buoys for satellite SST validation
Task 4: Revise the HRSST specification
Task 5: To propose an initial FRM specification for drifters

TRUSTED/HRSST Workshop: HIGH-RESOLUTION SEA SURFACE TEMPERATURE (HRSST) DRIFTING BUOYS FOR SATELLITE SST, online 1-4 March 2021

Link to the event: https://www.cls-telemetry.com/workshop-high-resolution-sea-surface-temperature-hrsst-drifting-buoys-for-satellite-sst/

Priority recommendations:

  • For the GHRSST and DBCP communities to revisit and revise the GHRSST/DBCP HRSST specification.
  • For the GHRSST and DBCP communities to formulate an agreed FRM standard for drifters (e.g. could be HRSST + SI + uncertainty per measurement + metadata)

Additional recommendations:

  • Continuation of metadata repository activities are essential and should include automatic interrogation of the complete OceanOpsmetadata repository. Progress towards supplying complete metadata information per measurement is important.
  • High quality / FRM in situ measurements of sea-Ice surface temperature are needed for satellite sea-IST development and a suitable instrument needs to be designed and deployed.
  • The continuation of FRM TRUSTED activities is recommended and should address evolutions such as further measurements at high-latitudes and others to be further assessed.

About the TRUSTED project: The European Union’s Copernicus-funded TRUSTED project (Towards Fiducial Reference Measurements of Sea-Surface Temperature by European Drifters) has deployed over 100 state of the art drifting buoys for improved validation of Sea Surface Temperature (SST) from the Sentinel-3 Sea and Land Surface Temperature Radiometers (SLSTR). https://www.eumetsat.int/TRUSTED

Achievements

LAST REPORT TO THE SCIENCE TEAM

TASK TEAM MEMBERS

Chair: Gary Corlett

Team Members: Anne O’Carroll, Igor Tomazic, Luca Centurioni, Verena Hormann, Gary Wick, Sandra Castro, Helen Beggs, Chris Merchant, Jean-Francois Piolle, Craig Donlon, David Meldrum, Stéphane Saux-Picart, Shane Elipot, Peter Minnett

INTERESTED IN CONTRIBUTING?

Please contact the chair directly:

Gary Corlett, Gary.Corlett@eumetsat.int