EUMETNET OPERA The European Weather Radar Network WMO

EUMETNET OPERA The European Weather Radar Network WMO TECO, Helsinki, 30 Aug -1 Sep 2010 Asko Huuskonen (FMI, KNMI), Programme Manager Laurent Delobbe (RMI), chair WG 1 Bernard Urban (Météo France), chair WG 2

EUMETNET (RA-VI) GIE/EIG EUMETNET, Registered Number 0818. 801. 249 - RPM Bruxelles

OPERA’s Mission • Is to “harmonize and improve the operational exchange of weather radar information between National Meteorological Services” • “To support European applications of weather radar data through the establishment of a Data Hub function where harmonised products … are generated and managed. ” • “To investigate and evaluate new radar technology and its relevance to operational requirements for present and future radar systems and bands. ” • OPERA stands for Operational Programme on Exchange of weather RAdar information – Oriented towards operations – 30 members, KNMI is the coordinating member GIE/EIG EUMETNET, Registered Number 0818. 801. 249 - RPM Bruxelles

OPERA Network • More than 190 radars • Mostly C-band ●, some Sband ● and X-band ● • About 160 Doppler radars • Some 30 polarimetric radars, all Doppler radars • Polarimetric radars are becoming operational standard GIE/EIG EUMETNET, Registered Number 0818. 801. 249 - RPM Bruxelles

Organization – – – OPERA group meets twice a year Typically 25 -40 delegates from 20 countries Plenary session and working groups WG 1 (Delobbe): Radar Technology and Algorithms WG 2 (Urban): Formats, Software, Data Hub GIE/EIG EUMETNET, Registered Number 0818. 801. 249 - RPM Bruxelles

Projects of WG 1 • Working Group 1 is concerned with: – Weather Radars in Europe (Database on website) – Quality information for radars and radar data – Evaluation of new technologies (Polarimetric radars, X -band) – Site and frequency protection (Link with EUMETFREQ) – Harmonized production practices GIE/EIG EUMETNET, Registered Number 0818. 801. 249 - RPM Bruxelles

Projects of WG 2 • Working Group 2 is concerned with: – ODIM (OPERA data information model) – Data exchange software development (BUFR and HDF 5) – BUFR software and table maintenance (Software available on website) – Pilot Data Hub operations (Developed during OPERA-2) – OPERA Data Center: specification, development, and operation GIE/EIG EUMETNET, Registered Number 0818. 801. 249 - RPM Bruxelles

OPERA and E-WINPROF • Weather radar wind profiles • Increase of availability, ~100 sites • Harmonization of GTS headers, format, and content • Improvements on the quality GIE/EIG EUMETNET, Registered Number 0818. 801. 249 - RPM Bruxelles

Frequency protection • Close co-operation with EUMETFREQ – RLAN issues – WLAN on air planes – Spurious transmission – etc GIE/EIG EUMETNET, Registered Number 0818. 801. 249 - RPM Bruxelles

Pilot Data Hub GIE/EIG EUMETNET, Registered Number 0818. 801. 249 - RPM Bruxelles

OPERA Data Center • Under development, to start operation 2011 • Collects single site 3 D volume data • Produces 2 D composites – Maximum reflectivity – Rainfall intensity and accumulation GIE/EIG EUMETNET, Registered Number 0818. 801. 249 - RPM Bruxelles

OPERA and WMO • OPERA and OPAG ET for Upper Air work both with – Radar database – Data formats – Harmonization – New technology – Wind turbines – RLAN issues – Quality information • Possibility for joint work and co -operation GIE/EIG EUMETNET, Registered Number 0818. 801. 249 - RPM Bruxelles

OPERA Website: www. knmi. nl/opera GIE/EIG EUMETNET, Registered Number 0818. 801. 249 - RPM Bruxelles