World Meteorological Organization Working together in weather, climate and water

1. WMO World Meteorological OrganizationWorking together in weather, climate and water WMO Executive Council Panel of Experts onPolar Observations, Research and Services (EC-PORS) WMO Executive Council – LXII David Grimes and Greg Ayers EC-PORS Co-chairs WMO EC-PORS www.wmo.int

2. Historical perspective • Recommended by WMO Congress XV – 2007 • Focus on integrating programs in polar regions • Program coordination for Antarctica • Implementation strategy for Global Cryosphere Watch • Need was re-enforced by International Polar Year • Established by Executive Council in 2008 • David Grimes (Canada) and Greg Ayers (Australia) nominated as co-chairs • WMO Members (18) nominated 24 experts to participate • EC-PORS took on the responsibilities of the previous EC- Working Group on Antarctic Meteorology

3. Geographic Scope • Several different delineations of the Arctic and Antarctic regions, closely tied to the specific activity or programme • Arctic – EC-PORS interacts with Region II, IV and VI • Antarctic – EC-PORS has operational responsibilities south of 60oS

4. Scope and Challenges Observations (Doc 3.4) • EC-PORS’ Scope is broad • Value-added chain involving Acquisition, Exchange, Products & Services • weather, climate, water, oceans, cryosphere • Observational gaps are significant; geographic, parameter specific • Data accessibility inconsistent (telecom, data standards, policies) • Remote sensing/Space assets are essential for research and operations • Integrated monitoring (WIGOS,WIS) • Promote configuration/interoperability with other polar observing networks • Supersites for multidisciplinary monitoring • Need to consider user requirements, new technologies, updated standards for the sustainability of observing systems • Partnership with other organizations can bring benefits e.g. SAON • Operational and financial challenges in remote, hostile environments EC-PORS

5. Sea Ice IABP IPA AMDAR Polar Network of NetworksGOS forms a core ASBN RBSN ABN AWS • Joint Programmes • GAW • WCRP • Arctic HYCOS • GCOS (GOOS, GTN-P, GTN-G) EC-PORS

6. EC-PORS – moving forwardobservations, research, services • “Services” are the driver that anchors the Panel’s work • Polar NWP, GMDSS, Polar Climate Outlook Forums (PCOF) • Influence the Global Framework for Climate Services – Polar Regions are important • Polar Prediction System – WMO programmes picked up the challenge • WWRP,THORPEX,WCRP Polar Prediction Workshop • WCRP Polar Predictability Workshop • CLW - Polar Climate Outlook Forum • Strengthen the interface with users including research community, northern peoples, economic sectors, e.g. tour operators (IAATO) • Need to position WMO to influence and sustain observing systems • Implementation of a Global Cryosphere Watch EC-PORS

7. Panel Activities • Task Teams have been formed to develop and implement activities for: • Antarctic Activities • Observational Framework • Global Cryosphere Watch • Research framework • Service Framework • Information Assets • International Polar Decade • Partnerships, Communications, Engagement • Plans to be reviewed/modified/accepted at EC-PORS II, Hobart, Australia, October 18-20, 2010 EC-PORS

8. Considerations for EC-LXIIRes. 3.4/1 (EC-LXII) - EXECUTIVE COUNCIL PANEL OF EXPERTS ON POLAR OBSERVATIONS, RESEARCH AND SERVICES Key revisions from original Res.5/1 (EC-LX): • Maintain the Executive Council Panel of Experts on Polar Observations, Research and Services (EC-PORS); • Panel composition, structure, activitiesin both Polar Regions, and scopeof recommendations to EC Also, requests the Secretary-General: • To maintain the membership of the Panel in accordance with the relevant Regulations • To provide the necessary support to activities and sessions of the Panel. EC-PORS activities and sessions are currently supported by additional contributions from Members • Thanks to all Members who have responded positively to the SG’s request to contribute to the EC-PORS Trust Fund EC is asked to adopt the revised terms of reference for EC-PORS

9. Further Considerations for EC-LXII • EC-PORS should deal with the operational dimension of Antarctic activities • Sustainability of polar observing networks is critical • Members support of the collaborative efforts with the Sustaining Arctic Observing Networks (SAON) is a key step in this process • Highly desirable for international organisations to coordinate their efforts to secure and develop an IPY legacy process, potentially in form of an International Polar Decade (IPD), as proposed by WMO at EC-LX • continue to seek Members’ ideas for an IPD • organize a workshop to further scope IPD with other relevant scientific bodies and international organizations by early 2011 • GCW implementation strategy to be developed under the auspices of EC-PORS for submission to Cg-XVI for consideration. • Members support for GCW activities, including development of reference sites and establishment of a CGW portal and virtual network , is essential EC-PORS

10. A Final Consideration:Polar Prediction System as a unifying focus There is a need for an immediate, high-level and sustained focus on a polar prediction system (PPS) that would: • involve the Earth System approach, from daily to seasonal to decadal and longer timescales, responding to societal needs • stimulate integration of environmental observations to enhance prediction systems • provide forecasts, predictions, projections and related information to governments and relevant socio-economic sectors, in synergy with the outcomes of WCC-3 and the Global Framework for Climate Services A polar prediction system will draw and coordinate many research and operational elements of WMO and related agencies, of national modeling centers and of other polar science organizations into common purpose. A polar prediction system could represent the central motivating idea of an International Polar Decade. EC-PORS