EUMETNET Surface Marine Programme (E-SURFMAR)
The Surface Marine observation programme of EUMETNET (E-SURFMAR) was established during 2003 as an optional element of the EUCOS Programme, on the basis of a detailed programme proposal. Supported by 15 countries, it has been initially defined with a duration of four years divided into two stages of two years each under the responsibility of Météo-France. During stage 1 (2003-2004), a comprehensive design study was carried out and proposed to the EUMETNET Council. This study was accepted by the Council in September 2004. Stage 2 (2005-2006) mainly consisted in the implementation of the designed network.
The E-SURFMAR programme has seen significant reorganisation in the management of marine observing programmes within Europe:
- the COSNA group (Composite Observing System for the North Atlantic) was disbanded in August 2003;
- a VOS Technical Advisory Group (VOS-TAG) was established in September 2003. Before its forming, no forum or organisation actually existed in Europe to co-ordinate technical and operational strategies for European voluntary observing ships;
- the European Group on Ocean Stations (EGOS) reformed as the Data Buoy Technical Advisory Group (DB-TAG) of the E-SURFMAR Programme in January 2005. A Data Buoy manager was appointed by the EUMETNET Council (Météo-France responsibility).
The E-SURFMAR design study was driven by the main EUCOS aim: to improve the quality of numerical and general forecasts over Europe. It showed that the most suitable parameter required by the regional Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) which cannot be provided by the space segment, is air pressure. It recommended to increase the density of observations for this parameter as a matter of priority. It also showed that this could be achieved through the use of more drifting buoys and Voluntary Observing Ships (VOS) reporting hourly data from sensitive areas: in the North Atlantic (north of 35°N) and the Mediterranean Sea.
Some parameters measured by satellites, such as Sea Surface Temperature (SST), wind and waves, require calibration and validation. However, reliable in situ SST data are already provided by drifting buoys. So, an increase of these platforms would naturally contribute to improve the quality of satellite data calibration for SST.
Metocean SVP-B drifter
For wind and waves, the E-SURFMAR design study recommended the use of four existing moored buoys which would be upgraded to provide directional wave spectra and 10-minutes wind data, and possibly be re-located in more suitable positions.
The E-SURFMAR network design should be revised in 2008. It is strongly desirable to base this revision on an impact study of pressure measurements at the sea surface commissioned with ECMWF and NCEP and carried out in 2007, for instance.