First GCW Snow Watch Meeting

28-30 January 2013, Toronto

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) held a Snow Watch workshop in Toronto, hosted by Environment Canada. Snow Watch is a component of WMO's Global Cryosphere Watch (GCW). The purpose of this first workshop was to determine the current state of snow data, products and information, particularly satellite products; identify any critical issues in product uncertainties, availability, and distribution; and make recommendations on the initial content and structure of a GCW Snow Watch project. Participants were from various agencies in Canada, U.S., Finland, Switzerland, Austria, France, and U.K.

Some of the key questions that need to be addressed at the workshop were:

• What are the current needs for snow data and information and how are they being met? Are there specific gaps/needs that GCW Snow-Watch should address?
• What snow products should be part of a GCW Snow-Watch? What are the latest developments in snow products/datasets?
• How good are the existing products? What intercomparison/validation has been carried out of snow products?
• What elements of a Snow-Watch are already in place?
• Should a Snow-Watch be capable of providing global, regional, national and even local products over all time scales?
• Are there particular gaps or issues that that need to be addressed?

The agenda, local information, and documents are available via the links at right.