GHRSST-PP User Requirements
GHRSST-PP User requirements
are split into three
broad categories:
- Coastal/Inland Seas(Ultra-high <4km resolution requirement)
- Open Ocean
- Operational forecasting systems (NWP/Oceans)
- Climate research and Seasonal Forecasting
- Science (Oceanography/Meteorology)
A detailed User Requirements Document (URD) has been developed [
click for PDF document
] by the
GHRSST-PP Project Office
as part of the for the ESA EU-RDAC project. The GHRSST-PP
Reanalysis Project
is currently drafting a separate User Requirement Document for the
development of SST Climate Data Records (CDR).
The Table below
specifies the consolidated user requirements for GHRSST-PP operational
real time data products and services.
|
Spatial resolution
(km)
|
Delivery Timeliness (hours)
|
Accuracy
(C)
|
Target
|
Threshold
|
Coastal Ocean
|
at least 1
|
3
|
6
|
<0.3K
|
Open Ocean
|
5-10
|
6
|
12
|
<0.4K
|
Ultra-high Resolution
|
2
|
3
|
6
|
<0.3K
|
Target=Optimal
specification
Threshold=Maximum allowable specification
Coastal/Inland Seas users
are defined as those using SST data products in specific
regional areas and experiments. Typically, this user group has a requirement for "ultra-high-resolution" SST data
sets (1-2 km spatial resolution and <6 hours temporal resolution) with good accuracy (<0.3K) and temporal coverage (hourly).
Ancillary information that can be used to interpret/complement/quaility control the SST data are extremely useful.
Open Ocean users
are defined as those using SST
data products extending over ocean basins or the entire global ocean. Typically, this user group has a requirement
for good accuracy (<0.3K), moderate spatialresolution of <10 km 12-24 hours temporal resolution.
Ancillary information that can be used to interpret/complement/quaility control the SST data are extremely useful.
Operational users
may be interested in
both the Coastal Seas and Open Ocean but have a rerquirement for operational (24 hour guaranteed data delivery) in real time.
Timeliness is a major issue as any data that arrives at the forecasting centre after
the forecast model hass been run is of much less use. Data should be at the centre within 6 hours of aquisition,
good accuracy (<0.3K) and spatial resolution of between 5-10 km. Uncertainty estimates are required
for each measurement. Note that the next generation of NWP and Ocean forecast systems
are expected to require even higher spatial resolution data sets in some regions. Ancillary information that can be used to interpret
and quality control the SST data are extremely useful.
Climate Research users
are concerned
with only the most accurate data that is available. There are no timeliness constraints and typically, fairly
coarse spatial resolution data sets are all that is required (although this is expected to change in the future).
A time series of >10 years is the minimum length for a climate data set with accuracies of better than 0.1K.
Stability of the time-series is an extremely important issue and stabilities of 0.01K per decade are called for.
Ancillary information that can be used to quality control and help interpret the SST data are useful.
Scientific users
are those groups interested in developing new tools and methods for the generation of
GHRSST-PP data products. They include those interested in SST validation, bias correction methods,
analysis algorithms, analysis method development etc. Typically, this user group requires access to the
highest spatial and temporal resolution SST data products which high accuracy in a format that is easy to work with.
Ancillary information that can be used to help interpret and quality control the SST data are extremely useful.
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