Discussions
and recommendations
Following formal presentations,
the floor was opened for general discussion. A summary of this discussion
and related recommendations is given below.
Ship Time Issues
The difficulty of securing the necessary ship time in the western Pacific
was discussed further; a number of options were presented ranging from the
continuing encouragement of involved nations to secure time on their nations'
research vessels to the possible disestablishment of moorings that prove
to be difficult to maintain. It was suggested that the longest existing
time series should be continued as a first priority. Dr. Kang stated that
Korea would not insist on maintaining the 137E line if reductions became
necessary. Japan added that the Mutsu would be in service in late 1997 and
this should relieve some of the pressure we now have to adequately service
the TAO moorings.
NOAA Ship TITAN
A letter was drafted and signed by the participants of the meeting
supporting the renaming of the NOAA Ship TITAN in honor of the
late Dr. Stan Hayes of NOAA/PMEL in recognition of his conception and
establishment of the TAO Array. The ship is expected to enter into service
as a maintenance vessel for the eastern and central Pacific portion of
the TAO Array in early 1996. The letter was addressed to Dr. D. James
Baker, Administrator of NOAA.
Current Meter Mooring
at 0,170W
The Panel discussed the potential loss of the ADCP mooring located at
0,170W as a result of declining resources. The Panel reaffirmed the importance
of maintaining the velocity record from this site with the understanding
that the velocity data should be made more widely available and in a more
timely manner than has been the case in the past. The Panel also recognized
Prof. Robert Weisberg, University of South Florida, for his efforts in
establishing moored velocity measurements at 0,170W with the late Stan
Hayes; and for later providing leadership for the continued support of
velocity measurements at this site.
Sponsorship of TIP
As the end of TOGA approaches, the panel agreed that this was a good
time to review Panel membership and revisit the terms of reference. It was
suggested that any adjustments be made prior to the June 1995 CLIVAR meeting
and that the panel should consider a broader scope, perhaps including the
Indian Ocean.
In the post-TOGA
era, scientific oversight of the TAO Array will be provided by the CLIVAR
SSG which, along with international GCOS/GOOS, will also provide technical
oversight. Administrative support will be provided by the GCOS Office
in Geneva, Switzerland. Further, in light of the end of TOGA, the TOGA-TAO
Implementation Panel will be renamed the TAO Implementation Panel after
December 31, 1994.
TAO Data Assimilation
into Operational Models
The group discussed the need to routinely track the inclusion of TAO
data into analyses that feed the various operational models. David Anderson
assured the group that such tracking is done at ECMWF. No one from the group
could say whether or not similar tracking was in place at NMC. NOAA/NOS
expressed a willingness to look into extending its tracking of data onto
the GTS to NMC. It was suggested that Panel membership might be broadened
to include at least one representative of an operational center for liaison
purposes.
Proposed Article
to Advertise Completion of the TAO Array
It was suggested that an article be submitted to the Bulletin of the American
Meteorological Society advertising the completion of the TAO Array and
reaffirming the commitment of the Panel to promote continued utilization
of TAO data for climate studies after TOGA ends.
Coordination With
Other Elements of the TOGA Observing System
It was pointed out that there exists a need to coordinate the efforts
of all elements of the TOGA Observing System (e.g., VOS XBTs, drifters,
TAO) to plan for the continued coherent growth of a climate monitoring
system. Oversight for this coordination could be a function of CLIVAR.
Next Meeting of
the TAO Implementation Panel
Dr. McPhaden reported that Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais
(INPE) and Fundadacao Cearense de Meteorologia e Recursos Hidricos (FUNCEME)
in Brazil had offered to sponsor the 1995 meeting of the TAO Implementation
Panel in Fortaleza. The Brazilian invitation was accepted by the Panel,
recognizing that previous meetings had been held so far in the Pacific
sector (Honolulu and Seoul) and Indian sector (Bali) of the tropics. An
Atlantic venue for the next meeting could stimulate discussion of possible
future expansions of TAO into the tropical Atlantic as part of CLIVAR/GOALS
and NOAA's Pan American Climate Studies (PACS) program. In light of the
mid-October GCOS meeting, the 4th Meeting of the TAO Implementation Panel
will be planned for 12 - 14 September 1995.
Acknowledgements
The TOGA-TAO Implementation Panel would like to thank Dr. In-Sik Kang
of Seoul National University for his efforts in organizing the meeting.
Dr. Kang was assisted by his students, under the direction of Mr. K.-M.
Kim of Seoul National University, for help with meeting arrangements and
accommodations. The Panel would also like to acknowledge the generous
financial support provided by Seoul National University; and by the International
TOGA Project Office, directed by Mr. John Marsh. These Proceedings were
prepared with the assistance of Ms. Vallapha Cass of NOAA/PMEL.
|