GLOBAL CRYOSPHERE WATCH CryoNet Asia Workshop in Beijing, China - Report -

1. GLOBAL CRYOSPHERE WATCH CryoNet Asia Workshop in Beijing, China - Report - CryoNet Team Meeting, Reykjavik, Iceland 20-22 January 2014 Raymond Le Bris rlebris@wmo.int

2. The CryoNet Asia Workshop The purpose of the CryoNet Asia Workshop was to continue efforts in implementing CryoNet with an emphasis on the measurement sites, observations, and issues in Asia. • Aims and need for CryoNet • Classification of the CryoNet station network • Selection procedure of CryoNet stations • Measurement standards • Data policy within CryoNet • Suggestion of showcase projects for CryoNet • Sustainability of CryoNet sites

3. Organisation of the Workshop The First Global Cryosphere Watch (GCW) CryoNet Asia was hosted by the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) at China Meteorology Administration (CMA) in Beijing, China from 3 to 5 December 2013. • 7 Experts from the China Meteorological Administration (CMA), • 23 Experts from the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), • 17 International experts from 14 countries • 34 Presentations on 5 sessions: CryoNet Asia: Objectives and Benefits Potential GCW Stations Potential GCW Stations in High Elevation Central Asia Potential GCW Stations Over High Latitudes of Asia Observation / Measurements / Data • 2 Break-out sessions.

4. Workshop Agenda 1. ORGANIZATION OF THE SESSION Welcome and Opening of the session Adoption of the Agenda Participant introductions 2. CRYONET BACKGROUND GCW Implementation Plan CryoNet Asian Sites Questionnaire CryoNet Asian sites Questionnaire Responses 3. CRYONET ASIA: OBJECTIVES AND BENEFITS Global Cryosphere Watch (GCW) under WMO EC-PORS CryoNet under GCW Summary of Questionnaire 4. POTENTIAL GCW STATIONS 5. BREAK-OUT SESSIONS

5. CryoNet Questionnaire To start the GCW Asia CryoNet discussion prior to the meeting and to share participant’s thoughts on the purpose, benefits, structure and scope of the network, participants were asked to answer the following questions: How could CryoNet help meet your national, regional or global interests? What could you or your organization contribute to the implementation of CryoNet? What do you see as the benefits of CryoNet: (e.g. for operational and research network operators, scientific and decision/policy making community, environmental monitoring and modelling, scientists, satellite data providers, etc.)? What do you see as existing gaps in cryospheric observations (e.g. thematic, spatial, temporal, availability, exchange, data policy, etc.) and how might CryoNet address these? Please prioritize CryoNet activities according your personal view (indicate HIGH/MEDIUM/LOW for each): Please share any other thoughts for participant to consider at the meeting.

6. CryoNet Questionnaire Summary

7. Break-out session on: Potential GCW Stations Main topics addressed in this break-out session: : Should we focus on the “Third Pole” region or on the whole Asia? Where to put the Asia boundary to be considered in CryoNet? Should all stations that measure snow be part of CryoNet? Structure of CryoNetAsia (Objectives, Tiered sites and requirements). Climatic zones. Sponsors. Criteria for stations/sites inclusion in CryoNet.

8. Requirements for site inclusion in CryoNet The 11 essential characteristics of a GCW-CryoNet Station/Site The station/site location is chosen such that, for the variables measured, it is regionally representative. There are adequate power, communication and building facilities to sustain long term observations with greater than 90% data capture (i.e. <10% missing data). The technical support provided is trained in the operation of the equipment. There is a commitment by the responsible agency to long term observations of at least one of the GCW variables in the GCW focal areas. The GCW observation made is of known quality and linked to the GCW Standard. The data and associated metadata are submitted to one of the international cryospheric data centres (such as GTN-P, WGMS, GCOS etc. ) no later than one year after the observation is made. Changes of metadata including instrumentation, traceability, observation procedures, are reported to the responsible WDC in a timely manner. If possible, data are submitted to a designated data distribution system in near-real-time. Standard meteorological in situ observations, necessary for the accurate determination and interpretation of the GCW variables, are made with known accuracy and precision. The station characteristics and observational programme are updated in the GCW Station Information System (GCWSIS) on a regular basis. A station logbook (i.e. record of observations made and activities that may affect observations) is maintained and is used in the data validation process. Observational data users have been involved in the observation design process. 2. There are adequate power, communication, and building facilities to sustain long-term observations with greater than 90% data capture (i.e. less than 10% missing data). 5. The GCW observation made is of known quality and linked to the GCW Standard. 6. The data and associated metadata are submitted to one of the international cryospheric data centres (such as GTN-P, WGMS, GCOS etc. ) no later than one year after the observation is made. Changes of metadata including instrumentation, traceability, observation procedures, are reported to the responsible WDC in a timely manner. 11. Observationaldata users have been involved in the observation design process.

9. CryoNet Stations in China Following the discussion, several Chinese stations were proposed to be part of CryoNet Asia. (Examples extracted from the list)

10. CryoNet Stations in Other Asian Countries Other stations proposed to be part of CryoNet Asia: (Missing parameters have to be collected from experts)

11. Map of proposed stations

12. Break-out session on: OBSERVATIONS / MEASUREMENTS / DATA Main topics addressed in this break-out session:: Identify needs for GCW-CryoNet activities and, based on this, building initiatives (working groups, cooperation with entwork partners (WGMS, IACS, …) What cryosphere observing programs already have well-defined measurement standards, guidelines, and best practices (used in Asia High Elevation)? Guidance and training for GPS measurements. Working group to collect measurement standards, guidelines, and best practices. Should CryoNet provide data or metadata only and what is the role of CryoNet in the context of existing world data centers? Data policy: data have to be freely available. Are there specifications to be made? Should there be a time-span that data holder could first publish their data? What are the main concerns on sharing data internationally? Who will check for data quality ingested in GCW?

13. (Examples extracted from the list) Action Plan

14. Action Plan

15. Action Plan

16. Thank you for your attentionRaymond Le Brisrlebris@wmo.int