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General Information about EUCOS

The EUCOS Operational Programme was established on 01 January 2002, based on recommendations resulting from the EUCOS Implementation Programme managed by Meteo France, which started in 1999 and ended on 31 December 2001. It aims to establish and operate a truly European observing network under the auspices of the European Meteorological Network (EUMETNET), to deliver increased efficiency, leading to better-quality numerical and general forecasts, initially on a European scale.

During the last five years the EUMETNET Composite Observing System (EUCOS) is being developed from the planning phase to an operational programme  as an integrated terrestrial observing system for Europe serving the needs of regional numerical weather prediction. EUCOS has evolved rapidly by active co-operation and support of all the members of EUMETNET. In this period 2002 till 2006 the UK Met Office was responsible member of the EUCOS Operational Programme.

Since January 2007 DWD is responsible member of EUCOS.

The next programme phase (2007 - 2011) will be split into two parts. During the transition phase 2007-2008 the current activities of the studies programme will be finalized and for the programme components E-ASAP, E-AMDAR and E-SURFMAR there will be set no new programmatic objectives. On the basis of the results of the studies programme new objectives will be developed and implemented during the second phase 2009-2011. Thereby  the terrestrial observing system will become increasingly optimised with the space based observing system, new programmatic objectives for the programme components E-ASAP, E-AMDAR and E-SURFMAR will be set and among others the qualitiy monitoring activities will be extended and the operational integration of E-WINPROF, OPERA-III and E-GVAP will continue.

The diagram opposite illustrates the EUCOS programme structure, showing that the EUCOS Operational Programme includes a number of major activities which meet the requirements on a "European meorological service".

By following the link you will find a poster on the EUCOS Operational Programme and its subprogrammes.