DPFS_Manual_Attachment-I.1
GUIDELINES TO REVIEW THE STATUS OF RSMCs WITH GEOGRAPHICAL SPECIALIZATION
Telecommunication aspects
Computing facilities aspects
Product aspects
1. RSMC CAPABILITIES TO BE REVIEWED
Taking into account the functions to be performed by designated RSMCs with geographical specialization, their capabilities will be examined under three aspects: their ability to communicate with other centres, their access to computing facilities to achieve specific tasks, and their ability to issue the products which are requested by the users.
Telecommunication aspects
In order to play fully their role, existing RSMCs have to be linked with neighbouring centres. The following type of links are necessary for the effective implementation of their assignments:
(a) Medium- or high-speed lines connecting the RSMC and the appropriate WMC, as well as the RSMC which is chosen to provide backup assistance;
(b) Lines with sufficient bandwidth to transmit the products issued by the RSMC to the users in the corresponding NMCs.
Computing facilities aspects
The computing facilities available in existing RSMCs with geographical specialization must have enough power to enable:
(a) Preprocessing of observational data including data in binary data representation forms;
(b) Objective analysis and NWP models over the geographical responsibility area;
(c) Postprocessing of data including display in the form of charts, time-series, tables, as well as the generation of products in binary data representation forms.
Product aspects
In order to fulfil their responsibilities, the RSMCs have to provide several products to the users, some of which are:
(a) Gridded fields or local forecasts in the form of maps, time-series, GRID/GRIB and BUFR messages;
(b) Elaborated technical guidance (maps and directives);
(c) Verification of the quality of the products by means of CBS approved procedures.
2. DOCUMENTS TO BE PRODUCED BY RSMCS
In order to demonstrate their capabilities to perform the activity related to geographical specialization, the documentation to be provided by the RSMCs should include the following:
2. DOCUMENTS TO BE PRODUCED BY RSMCS
In order to demonstrate their capabilities to perform the activity related to geographical specialization, the documentation to be provided by the RSMCs should include the following:
(a) A description of telecommunication and data-processing facilities including contingency and backup arrangements;
(b) The product guide indicating the list of the products which are available and their transmission schedule;
(c) Monthly statistics on the availability and timeliness of the products;
(d) Monthly verifications of the products by means of CBS-approved procedures.
3. PROCEDURE
A regular review of the capabilities of the RSMCs with geographical specialization should be undertaken by their regional association. In order to do so, it is suggested that regional associations request their RSMCs to produce the above-mentioned documentation. It is also suggested that regional associations obtain feedback from the users. Regional associations should inform CBS, for further action, of the results of the review of the capabilities of the RSMCs with geographical specialization in their region.
RSMCs with geographical specialization have to summarize this information in order to produce, every year, their contribution to the WWW Technical Report on the activity of the GDPFS.
3. PROCEDURE
A regular review of the capabilities of the RSMCs with geographical specialization should be undertaken by their regional association. In order to do so, it is suggested that regional associations request their RSMCs to produce the above-mentioned documentation. It is also suggested that regional associations obtain feedback from the users. Regional associations should inform CBS, for further action, of the results of the review of the capabilities of the RSMCs with geographical specialization in their region.