Purpose

The main purpose of the Global Data-processing and Forecasting Systems (GDPFS) shall be to prepare and make available to Members in the most cost-effective way meteorological analyses and forecast products. The design, functions, organizational structure and operations of the GDPFS shall be in accordance with Members' needs and their ability to contribute to and benefit from the system.

Organization

It is organized as a three-level system of: World Meteorological Centres (WMCs), Regional Specialized Meteorological Centres (RSMCs) and National Meteorological Centres (NMCs), which carry out GDPFS functions at the global, regional and national levels, respectively. The GDPFS shall also support other WMO Programmes and relevant programmes of other international organizations in accordance with policy decisions of the Organization.

Real-time Functions

• Pre-processing of data, e.g. retrieval, quality control, decoding, sorting of data stored in a database for use in preparing output products;
• Preparation of analyses of the three-dimensional structure of the atmosphere with up-to-global coverage;
• Preparation of forecast products (fields of basic and derived atmospheric parameters) with up-to-global coverage for one to 10 days ahead;
• Preparation of specialized products such as limited area very fine-mesh short-, medium-, extended-, and long-range forecasts, tailored products for marine, aviation, environmental quality monitoring, and other purposes;
• Monitoring of observational data quality.
• Post-processing of NWP data using workstation and PC based systems with a view to producing tailored value added products and generation of weather and climate forecasts directly from model output.

Non-real-time Functions

• Preparation of special products for climate-related diagnosis (i.e. 10-day or 30-day means, summaries, frequencies and anomalies) on a global or regional scale;
• Intercomparison of analysis and forecast products, monitoring of observational data quality, verification of the accuracy of prepared forecast fields, diagnostic studies and NWP model development;
• Long-term storage of GOS data and GDPFS products, as well as verification results for operational and research use;
• Maintenance of a continuously updated catalogue of data and products stored in the system;
• Exchange between GDPFS centres of ad hoc information via distributed data bases;
• Conduct of workshops and seminars on the preparation and use of GDPFS output products.
  
  
  

Contact at WMO Secretariat

Mr Abdoulaye Harou
Chief, Data Processing and Forecasting Systems (DPFS) Division
Tel.: +(41 22) 730 8231
E-mail: aharou[at]wmo.int

Mr Ata HUSSAIN
Scientific Officer
Tel:  +41 (0) 22 730 8453
E-Mail: AHussain@wmo.int

Ms Eunha LIM
Scientific Officer
Tel:  +41 (0) 22 730 8735
E-Mail: elim@wmo.int

Mrs Pascale Gomez
Senior Secretary
Tel.: +(41 22) 730 8512
E-mail: pgomez[at]wmo.int

Global Data Processing and Forecasting System
World Meteorological Organization
7 bis, rue de la Paix
PO Box 2300
CH-1211 Geneva 2
Switzerland

Fax: +(41 22) 730 8128