EUMETSAT hosts 44th CGMS Meeting

FRIDAY, 03 JUNE 2016

This year’s plenary session will review the implementation of the plan agreed by India (ISRO), China (CMA), Russia (Roshydromet) and Europe (EUMETSAT) to jointly secure the continuation of Indian Ocean Data Coverage (IODC) services, after Meteosat-7 is de-orbited in April 2017. The European contribution consists of relocating Meteosat-8 to 41.5° East, which is expected to be approved by the EUMETSAT Council at the end of June 2016.

The plenary session will also address future requirements related to nowcasting and Short Range Numerical Weather Prediction. As Ken Holmlund, EUMETSAT’s Chief Scientist explains, “One challenge is to prepare for the use of data from the new types of instruments available from the geostationary orbit, like advanced multispectral imagers, hyperspectral infrared sounders and lightning mappers. In order to ensure these data are used efficiently from day one, the CGMS satellite agencies and the weather services need to work hand in hand on all scientific and operational aspects of the challenge.”

Climate will also be on the agenda with the report of the CEOS/CGMS Joint Climate Working Group and dedicated discussions to prepare a coordinated response of the CGMS space agencies to the upcoming GCOS Implementation Plan. In addition, a thematic session will review the current status and plans by CGMS agencies concerning capacities necessary to observe greenhouse gases. Thus CGMS agencies will contribute to the fulfilment of Article 7.7c of the Paris Agreement, calling for “(...) systematic observation of the climate system and early warning systems, in a manner that informs climate services and supports decision-making.”