The document discusses three online resources created by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) to improve awareness and use of satellite data: 1) The Product Access Guide (PAG) provides links to over 80 collections of satellite products and training materials to facilitate access. 2) The Observing System Capability Analysis and Review tool (OSCAR) contains technical details on over 600 satellites and instruments, and performs gap analyses. 3) The Satellite User Readiness Navigator (SATURN) provides information on new generations of meteorological satellites to help users prepare for their capabilities and challenges. The resources aim to enhance visibility and guide users of available satellite data.

1. WMO
Utilization of WMO online resources to
Improve Awareness and Use of Satellite
Products
Gillie Cheelo-Intern
WMO Space Programme
World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
WMO; Observation and Information System Department (OBS)
11th EUMETSAT User Forum in Africa
Johannesburg, South Africa
11th September 2014

2. Introduction
 A key objective of the WMO Space Programme is to:
 Promote availability and utilization of satellite data
and products for weather, climate, water and related
applications to its Members
 In light of this, WMO conducted a user survey in 2012:
 Results were presented at RAIDEG-4
http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/sat/documents/SAT-
PUB_SP-9-Survey-Report-2012.pdf
2

3. Challenges identified in 2012 WMO Survey
RA I
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
Knowledge of
data
Accessing
data NRT
Accessing
data general
Data
processing
Utility of data Analysis and
interpretation
Resources Do not face
significant
challenges
Research and Academia
NMHS and Other operational agency
Based on 37
responses from
17 RA I Members

4. Training needs identified in 2012 WMO Survey
RA I: Training needs
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
Equipment Imagery Tools Products Physical basis New satellites
PercentageofNMHS/opresponses
Delivered
Insufficient
Based on 37 responses
from 17 RA I Members

5. WMO Online resources
1. Product Access Guide (PAG)
2. Observing System Capability Analysis and Review
tool (OSCAR/Space)
3. Satellite User Readiness Navigator (SATURN)
Final remarks
5

6. (1) Product Access Guide (PAG)
 Goal & Objectives
• Web-based WMO resource
• In support of the WMO Information System
• Developed to address insufficient user awareness of
satellite products (WMO Survey, 2012)
• Facilitates access to quality controlled satellite data and
products
• Developed to enhance visibility of satellite products and
related information
• Providers of satellite data retain full ownership and
responsibility for their products
6

7. (1) Product Access Guide (PAG)
 Implementation
• Links to stable URLs of satellite product collections,
expert groups, training material
• Products must be sufficiently described to meet user
demand for information (metadata criteria)
• Structured by geophysical domain, tags
7

8. (1) Product Access Guide (PAG)
 Acceptance into PAG is based on the following Metadata
Criteria:
 With the aim to satisfy users` needs for documentation
and to harmonized online product metadata used by
providers
8
Point of contact Applicability domain
Product identifier Geographical region
Providing organization Resolution
Data source Update frequency
Access information Quality indication /
documentation

9. (1) Product Access Guide (PAG)
1. Hierarchical/Simple Search: select by clicking on the domain
2. Advanced Search: based on combination of tags:Domain, theme, geographic
regional, organization providing and type of content.
3. Highlighted themes: based on themes such as Tropical meteorology, water,
health, disaster
9
PAG Link: https://www.wmo-sat.info/product-access-guide/

10. (1) Product Access Guide (PAG) – Current status
 Links to 86 product collections from several providers:
 Sounder Radiances, Inland Waters (Rivers, Lakes Floods), Soil Moisture, Clouds, Land
Cover, Fire, Volcanic Ash, Aerosols, Dust, Lightning, Sea Level, Ocean Colour, Winds,
Land Surface Temperature, Precipitation, Vegetation NDVI, Ocean Surface Winds,
Ozone, Green House Gases and other trace gases, Ionosphere, Sea Surface
Temperature, Ocean Surface Winds,……..
 This now includes links to relevant sub-sets of the EUMETSAT Product
Navigator
 23 links to sets of corresponding online training materials
 14 links to international expert groups (e.g., on precipitation, winds)
10
Quick Demo: http://www.wmo-sat.info/product-access-guide

11. (2) OSCAR
 What it is?
 Observing Systems Capability Analysis and Review Tool(OSCAR)
 Web-based inventory and analysis tool
 One-stop portal on satellites, instruments, ground-segments
 OSCAR currently contains:
 Technical details on satellite programmes, mission and instruments as
provided by agencies
 > 600 earth observation satellites and
 > 800 instruments with detailed characteristics
 A tentative evaluation of relevant categories of instruments for
measuring physical variables
 Assessment also generates preliminary gaps analysis of these
variables
 Assessment on how well actual and planned missions can respond to
WMO Vision of the Global Observing System
11

12. 12
Link: http://www.wmo-sat.info/oscar/

13. 13

14. OSCAR gap analysis: Land surface temperature
observations 2010-2030
14

15. (3) SATURN - General motivation and objective
 SATellite User Readiness Navigator Portal (SATURN)
 The 2015-2020 generation of meteorological satellites provides:
unprecedented capabilities for key meteorological applications
such as nowcasting, as well as challenges for both satellite
operators and users:
 Higher sampling rate, higher spatial resolution, more spectral channels
 Expected to lead to more accurate and timely forecasts, and improved
application support
 Data rates increase drastically, by factors of 10-100
 CGMS and WMO Space Programme developed SATURN to allow
Members exploit the potential operational and socio-economic
benefits of using next-generation satellites
 Provides information on new generation of (initially) geostationary
meteorological satellites:
 Himawari-8 (JMA), FY-4 (CMA), GOES-R (NOAA),GEO-KOMPSAT-2 (KMA),
Elektro-L N2 (ROSHYDROMET), MTG (EUMETSAT)
15

16. 16
Link: http://www.wmo-sat.info/satellite-user-readiness/
• Instrument
performance
• Operation plan
• Coverage area
• …..
SATURN
SATURN is currently populated with information on
Himawari-8, ELEKTRO-L N2, FY-4A and GOES-R

17. 17
SATURN: Example for Himawari-8

18. Final remarks
 PAG enhances awareness and guides users on available
satellite data and products
 OSCAR describes observation capabilities and allows gap
analyses for planning
 SATURN supports users in preparing for the new
generation satellites
 Tools were tested on Chrome v36, Firefox v24 and Internet
Explorer v 10 (please use updated web browsers)
 Credit to EUMETSAT for support to developing PAG,
SATURN
 WMO encourages users:
 To use these online resources
 To provide feedback
18

19. www.wmo.int
Thank you for your attention
Gillie Cheelo
gcheelo@wmo.int
19