Proposed plan for developing a Mexico AMDAR Program

1. AMDAR Regional Workshop Mexico City, Mexico November 8, 2011 Proposed plan for developing a Mexico AMDAR Program David R. Helms Office of Science and Technology NOAA Naitonal Weather Service

2. Table of Contents Proposed plan for developing a Mexico AMDAR Program . • Collection • Optimization • Formatting • Distribution • Decoding • Quality Management System • Data Portal • Archive • Program Management

3. Proposed plan for developing a Mexico AMDAR Program . Input for this plan was provided by SMN based on questions submitted by NOAA in August 2011. I am grateful for the many thoughtful responses provided by SMN to the questions provided. This presentation is notional, that is, a proposed plan. SMN ultimately “owns” its observing systems, and makes all final decisions on resource and staff. WMO and NOAA are advisors to SMN, albeit advisors with a strong motivation to assist SMN develop an indigenous AMDAR capability. Therefore, SMN is encouraged to evolve this plan to meet local needs and resource constraints. It is WMO and NOAA’s hope that the Mexican AMDAR Program will serve as a model and mentor for a growing Regional AMDAR Program for Central and South American

4. Proposed plan for developing a Mexico AMDAR Program . • Collection • As part of a NOAA capacity building agreement with WMO, WMO will establish a contract with aircraft data providers representing Mexican airlines, including AeroMexico • Contract duration is planned to be funded for two years and include initial aircraft and ground processing configuration and monthly data communication charges • After two years, SMN will be responsible for maintenance of data collection capability established by WMO, adhering to contract requirements. WMO may continue to execute the data collection contract if SMN requests and provides required resources.

5. Proposed plan for developing a Mexico AMDAR Program . • Optimization • Experience has shown that optimization is best implemented early in an AMDAR Program’s development. • Optimization increases cost of operation, but cost of implementation can be relatively modest (BOM case) • WMO encourages SMN to consider optimization as an integral component of its AMDAR Program • However, cost optimization is not part of the initial data collection contract to be managed by WMO.

6. Proposed plan for developing a Mexico AMDAR Program . • Formatting and Distribution • The WMO contract for collection of Mexican airline data will include formatting from ARINC620 (from aircraft) to BUFR format (used by National Meteorological Services) as part of 5 minute data collectives • SMN BUFR file will be disseminated from ARINC to NOAA Gateway using the same circuits which disseminate NOAA AMDAR BUFR file to the NOAA Gateway • ARINC will use a WMO Heading provided by SMN to designate the BUFR file • NOAA will perform request for change tasks to permit the SMN AMDAR BUFR file to be routed onto appropriate circuits, making the file available to SMN through the NOAA Gateway and other circuits as requested

7. Proposed plan for developing a Mexico AMDAR Program . • Decoding and QMS • SMN will receive the BUFR file using NOAA Gateway • SMN will use existing BUFR decoders to format data into local formats which support display and assimilation into weather models and decision support systems • SMN may have to update BUFR decoder in the future to support new AMDAR data, including data flagging, turbulence, and icing • SMN is encouraged to developed data sharing capabilities to distribute AMDAR observations to other Federal agencies and local governments, such as aviation and air quality monitoring • SMN will initially rely upon NOAA and AMDAR QMS to monitor AeroMexico data anomalies. Future SMN QMS will use SMN GSI/WRF analysis as regional reference

8. Proposed plan for developing a Mexico AMDAR Program . • Data Portal and Archive • SMN forecasters will initially use web-based applications to view AMDAR data. SMN will request access from NOAA to view AMDAR java page planar and sounding data • SMN may modify locally used “SONDA” application to view and interact with locally served AMDAR decoded data • SMN and NOAA may need to work together to navigate CONAGUA firewall restrictions to make AMDAR data available to SMN • SMN will use existing long-term data archives, such as those available through NOAA GSD. • SMN will advise WMO on long-term data archive requirements for AMDAR data

9. Proposed plan for developing a Mexico AMDAR Program . • Program Management • As a new observing system, SMN is encouraged to consider implementing the following: • Develop policies to manage AMDAR • Provide formal program management directives • Create budget profiles to sustain the program • Update position description(s) of AMDAR Program Managers describing responsibilities • Evolve SMN Observing System Architecture to include AMDAR as an integral component • Serve as lead for AMDAR within the Mexican Federal Government to develop strong partnerships with government and commercial stakeholders

10. Provision of AMDAR Data for the Region Questions? David R. Helms Office of Science and Technology NOAA National Weather Service email: david.helms@noaa.gov