IGOS Cryosphere Theme - Development Status and Workshop Objectives

1. IGOS Cryosphere Theme - Development Status and Workshop Objectives Jeff KeyNOAA/NESDISMadison, Wisconsin USA

2. Problem The cryosphere is significantly undersampled, in general.Some observation networks are declining. Poor observations of the cryosphere may potentially make it difficult to gain expected benefits from having other types of observations better developed, e.g. the oceanographic observations.Coordination of cryospheric observations needs improvement. Profile of cryospheric observations should be elevated.

3. Cryosphere Theme Goals To create a framework for improved coordination of cryospheric observations conducted by research, long-term scientific monitoring, and operational programmes; To achieve better availability and accessibility of data and information needed for both operational services and research; To strengthen national and international institutional structures responsible for cryospheric observations; To increase resources for ensuring the transition of research-based cryosphere observing projects to sustained observations.

4. Approach • Update user requirements, • Study how they are met by current, planned and prospective in situ and remotely sensed observations, • Propose the way forward trying to build on adequate mix of satellite and in-situ observations.

5. Timeline as Proposed • Theme proposal presented to the IGOS Partners May 2004 • Theme team forms: summer 2004 + later additions – then we will know exactly who does what • Draft report & initial implementation plan: March 2005 • CliC science conference: April 2005: additional inputs, help to identify peer reviewers • Second draft: May-August 2005 followed by a peer review • Theme document: IGOS-P-12bis, end October 2005 • Fall-back position: submission to IGOS-P-13: May 2006

6. Status • Theme proposal accepted by IGOS Partners • Core Theme team formed, many major contributors identified • Theme report outline completed • Web site implemented (http://stratus.ssec.wisc.edu/IGOS-cryo) • First Theme workshop in Canada, March 2005. Two or three more workshops are planned (United Kingdom, Asia, U.S.) • Expression of Intent submitted to International Polar Year program committee for endorsement of IGOS Cryosphere Theme.

8. Current Needs for Theme Development • Volunteer to write part of the Theme Report, based on the outline. • Help develop a requirements list/table, i.e., a list of which cryospheric parameters we need, for what applications, at what accuracy, time/space sampling, etc. • Help create a Theme poster. See examples on main page. • Help develop the official IGOS Cryosphere Theme web page. See the other Theme pages on the IGOS Themes web page. • Design a Cryosphere Theme logo. • Suggest people who could fill gaps in topical (research area) and geographic (country) representation on the Team. • Plan to participate in the workshops and help define observational systems, requirements, and needs for one of the topical areas.

9. Workshop Objectives The objective of the first Cryosphere Theme Workshop is to bring together representatives from the user and scientific communities to identify the major issues on cryospheric information needs. The goals are to: • review the IGOS Cryosphere Theme proposal history, process, and status, • begin to reach a consensus on what is most important to measure, how to measure it, and where to measure it, • examine requirements for observations of the cryosphere, • discuss issues regarding methodologies, technical and scientific solutions, models, and data handling, • further develop the Theme Report outline and the Report draft, • expand the Theme Team as appropriate. Regarding the development of the Theme Report, we will be seeking writing commitments, as well as volunteers for section writing leads and other supporting roles.

10. Thanks to theCanadian Space Agencyfor sponsoring this workshop!