Tech Reg 49, Vol I, Sec A3 (Draft 0.4)

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CONTENTS

A. World Weather Watch
A.3. WMO Information System (WIS)

CHAPTER A.3.1 PURPOSE
CHAPTER A.3.2 PRINCIPLES
CHAPTER A.3.3 ORGANIZATION
CHAPTER A.3.4 RESPONSIBILITIES
CHAPTER A.3.5 PRACTICES, PROCEDURES AND SPECIFICATIONS


CHAPTER A.3.1 PURPOSE

WMO recognizes that its mission in weather, climate, water, and related environmental issues depends upon the collection, distribution and open sharing of information, often using rapid and highly reliable methods. The WMO Information System (WIS) is a key strategy to optimize the efficiency and effectiveness of WMO.

CHAPTER A.3.2 PRINCIPLES

A.3.2.1 WIS shall be used for the collection and sharing of information for all WMO and related international programmes.

A.3.2.2 WIS shall provide a flexible and extensible data management and data communication structure that allows the participating centres to enhance their capabilities as their national and international responsibilities grow.

A.3.2.3 WIS shall make use of international standards for relevant practices, procedures and specifications.

A.3.2.4 The basic engineering principles adopted for the WIS data communication networks shall provide for the integration of global, regional and national data communication systems to ensure transmission of the required information within the specified acceptable time delays.

CHAPTER A.3.3 ORGANIZATION

A.3.3.1 WIS shall be organized primarily by data management functions and also incorporate the required information exchange functions. The WMO Global Telecommunication System (GTS) shall be incorporated into WIS.

A.3.3.2 Centres participating in WIS shall be categorized by three types:
- Global Information System Centres (GISCs),
- Data Collection or Production Centres (DCPCs),
- National Centres (NCs).

A.3.3.3 Congress and Executive Council shall consider the designation of GISCs and DCPCs on recommendations of the Commission for Basic Systems (CBS). Congress and Executive Council shall regularly review previously designated GISCs and DCPCs, and may reconsider their designation based on recommendations from CBS. CBS recommendations shall include consultation with relevant Technical Commissions and Regional Associations, as appropriate. Members shall designate NCs.

A.3.3.4 WIS functions and operation shall be based on catalogues that contain metadata describing data and products available across WMO, plus metadata describing dissemination and access options. These catalogues shall be maintained by WIS Centres.

A.3.3.5 Through collaboration across all GISCs, each GISC shall provide comprehensive search across catalogues. Each GISC shall provide access to and disseminate WMO data and products intended for global exchange. Each GISC shall be associated with DCPCs and NCs within its area of responsibility.

A.3.3.6 DCPCs shall use WIS to collect, disseminate, provide access to, and store relevant regional or programme-specific data and products. DCPCs shall maintain catalogues of their holdings and services, and provide appropriate parts of these catalogues to the GISCs to ensure a comprehensive catalogue of WIS holdings.

A.3.3.7 NCs shall use WIS to provide data and products in accord with their programme responsibilities. NCs shall provide associated metadata to other WIS Centres to become part of the comprehensive catalogue of WIS holdings.

A.3.3.8 Each GISC, DCPC and NC shall participate in the relevant monitoring of the performance of WIS.

A.3.3.9 WIS shall incorporate data communication network management that includes dedicated data network services, especially for mission-critical information exchange, and public data network services such as the Internet, to ensure the efficiency and effectiveness of the required information exchange.

CHAPTER A.3.4 RESPONSIBILITIES

A.3.4.1 Members operating GISCs, DCPCs, and NCs shall ensure that all appropriate measures are taken for the installation and good functioning of their centres, and of the required data communication systems and services, in relation to their needs and the roles which they have accepted.

A.3.4.2 Members shall ensure that their national collecting systems for information allow not only national but also international needs to be met.

CHAPTER A.3.5 PRACTICES, PROCEDURES AND SPECIFICATIONS

A.3.5.1 The WIS data management and information exchange functions shall be established and operated in accordance with practices, procedures and specifications set out in Annex VII (Manual on the WMO Information System (WMO No. 1060)).

A.3.5.2 The GTS, as a part of WIS, shall be operated in accordance with practices, procedures and specifications set out in Annex III (Manual on the Global Telecommunication System (WMO No. 386), Volume 1).

Note: The Manual on WIS complements the Manual on GTS (WMO No. 386). Eventually, the Manual on WIS will replace the Manual on GTS while incorporating relevant content.




Existing Structure:
WMO Technical regulations (WMO Publication No. 49)
Volume I – General meteorological standards and recommended practices
Section A - World Weather Watch
A.1 Global Observing System (GOS)
A.2 Global Data Processing System (GDPS)
A.3 Global Telecommunication System (GTS)

The current content of Section A3 is given here following:

CHAPTER A.3.1 METEOROLOGICAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS

A.3.1.1 General

A.3.1.1.1 Organization of the Global Telecommunication System

A.3.1.1.1.1
The Global Telecommunication System shall be organized on three levels:
(a) The Main Telecommunication Network;
(b) Regional telecommunication networks;
(c) National telecommunication networks.

A.3.1.1.1.2
The Global Telecommunication System shall be established and operated in accordance with procedures and
practices set out in Annex III (Manual on the Global Telecommunication System (Publication No. 386), Volume 1).

A.3.1.1.2 Telecommunication functions of centres

A.3.1.1.2.1
Members operating World Meteorological Centres, Regional Telecommunication Hubs (and Regional Meteorological Centres in specified cases) and National Meteorological Centres shall ensure that the Global Telecommunication System functions efficiently.

A.3.1.1.3 Engineering principles of the Global Telecommunication System

A.3.1.1.3.1
The basic engineering principles adopted for the Global Telecommunication System shall provide for the integration of global, regional and national telecommunication systems to ensure transmission of the required information within the specified acceptable time delays.

A.3.1.2 Responsibilities of Members in the field of meteorological telecommunications

A.3.1.2.1 General responsibilities

A.3.1.2.1.1
Members having accepted responsibility in the field of meteorological telecommunications shall ensure that all appropriate measures are taken for the installation and good functioning of their WMCs, RTHs, RMCs and NMCs in relation to their needs and the role which they have accepted in accordance with inter-regional and regional agreements and those between the Members concerned.

A.3.1.2.1.2
Members shall ensure that their national collecting systems for meteorological reports allow not only national but also international needs to be met.

A.3.1.2.1.3
Members making meteorological transmissions shall provide the Secretariat with details of the contents and schedules of their transmission programmes.