Key Issues from the Second Snow Watch Meeting

The meeting identified over 50 actions and recommendations for GCW and Snow Watch which were collated and summarized (ANNEX 11). All will be considered by the Team. Key issues are requiring the attention of the Snow Watch Team are summarized below. A work plan will be developed for discussion and approval at the next GSG meeting.

Observation and exchange of snow data:

• continue efforts to implement the observation and exchange of snow depth and reporting of zero snow depth in real-time on the GTS through the WMO regulatory process (CBS and Regional Associations) and through members’ individual efforts with GCW partners and regional activities (e.g. COST Action HarmoSnow); fill national gaps
• work with WIS to exchange SWE and snow course data to the global snow course archive at FMI; this will serve as a prototype test to exchange non standard cryosphere data in real and non-real time using WIS
• review and advise on snow measurement procedures and requirements for GCW Observation Network, including CryoNet;
• Contribute to GCW Guide and Manual on Best Practices

Satellite missions: planning, products, assessment:

• Coordinate satellite snow mission planning activities for ~1 km daily global SWE product (EUMETSAT, CSA, NASA SnowEx, ESA, etc) to fill a fundamental gap in the observing system
• SnowPEx follow-on activities: publication of results, ISSPI-3, define objectives for next phase
• Discuss how to expand initial regional user surveys for snow products and information, such as done by CryoLand, to other regions as a GCW contribution to WMO OSCAR and for satellite mission planning.
• investigate and test the concept proposed by SnowPEx for ongoing evaluation of NH snow products using high resolution satellite data
• investigate the causes for SE differences in snow maps retrieved by different Landsat snow mapping algorithms, including assessment of uncertainty in different environments

Snow products:

• Development of multi-dataset SWE tracking and regional snow trackers, particularly for use by the Arctic-PRCC
• Develop a GCW dataset of climate stations with quality controlled, homogeneous, long-term (1950?-) continuous daily snow depth observations for a global assessment of in situ snow cover change; establish clear guidelines for evaluating the QC and homogeneity of historical daily snow depth observations.
• Review the user needs identified in the initial survey by the PHORS/PRCC SG and identify snow products and information needed to meet user needs, including satellite and in-situ observations required for producing/developing products and services.
• Continue development of the snow products dataset inventory on the GCW website and assess the need and modality for an associated evaluation page.

Data and Analysis:

• expand the historical SWE database at FMI and ensure its inter-operability through the GCW Portal;
• Produce a paper on NH in situ SWE trends for AR6. Ditto for long-term snow depth stations.
• Identify national contacts for contributing to and updating the historical snow depth and SWE archive at FMI; update Canadian historical SWE dataset from 2003
• Assess availability and access of metadata for snow measurements in the GCW observation network, including CryoNet sites.

Communication and Outreach:

• Ensure Snow Watch Team has required expertise to execute Snow Watch activities from regional to global scales
• Identify potential contributions and experts to strengthen the snow content and the Snow Watch page on the GCW website.
• Strengthen linkages with the hydrological community (observation, applications, modelling), particularly in high alpine areas
• Contribute expertise to development and refinement of snow terminology
• invite representatives from the Observations Working Group and Information and Services Working Group to actively participate with Snow Watch on issues of mutual interest/need and participate in telecons and meetings, as necessary