A new WMO Guide for the measurement of cryospheric variables

Abstract

The Global Cryosphere Watch (GCW) is being developed by the WMO as a mechanism for providing dependable data, information, and analysis on the past, current, and future state of the cryosphere. To achieve its goals, GCW promotes consistent and sustainable measurements, of demonstrated quality, of all cryospheric components such as solid precipitation, snow, glaciers and ice caps, ice sheets, ice shelves, icebergs, sea ice, lake and river ice, and permafrost and seasonally frozen ground. As part of the GCW Observations Working Group, a Best Practices team was tasked with compiling an authoritative guide on measurement best practices for cryospheric variables for use at the GCW CryoNet stations as well as broader applications involving cryospheric observations. Recognizing the complexity and diversity of this task, the first priority has been given to the development of best practices for snow, sea ice, and glaciers. The intent of the guide proposed by GCW is to fill a void where current measurement guidelines are incomplete or fragmented and to compile and update existing measurement procedures to reflect current technologies and associated recommendations. For example, results from the recently completed WMO Solid Precipitation Inter-Comparison Experiment (SPICE) are incorporated to add recommendations on the automated measurement of snow on the ground. The Guide for the Measurement of Cryospheric Variables will include specific chapters for each component of the cryosphere and a general chapter reflecting broader aspects of cryosphere observations. These will be published in conjunction with the Guide to Meteorological Instruments and Methods of Observation, WMO-No. 8, as it evolves to broaden its scope to include the full spectrum of observations within the context of the Integrated Global Observing System. This will ensure that the information will be widely accessible and used by the community. This presentation will provide an introduction to the new Guide for the Measurement of Cryospheric Variables and most recent developments.