Climate Observing System Simulation Experiments: Understanding what we have and what we need

Abstract:

Observations to monitor the climate and to support climate research are critical to advancing the science of climate change. Some parameters appear to be well monitored, while in other cases, our understanding is directly limited by the lack of quality observations. Detecting trends, attributing change and understanding climate feedbacks require a variety of observations. Making use of historical datasets, we can identify the most critical needs for continued and new observing systems. Decisions about accuracy, spatial resolution, and temporal frequency need to be made judiciously with a careful analysis of the requirements needed to specific scientific questions. This presentation will show initial results from comparing natural variability to the specific questions of detecting trends and addressing climate feedback questions. Combining the high resolution weather Observing System Simulation Exkperiments with the longer timescale needs of climate research, we can make responsible recommendations on future observing systems as well as identify the necessary continuation of existing observing systems.