WMO SPICE CARE Canada Site Configuration Update Oct

WMO SPICE: CARE (Canada) - Site Configuration Update Oct 10, 2012 Prepared by Rodica Nitu

CARE: Site Layout (Oct 2012)

CARE: References • R 1 reference: – DFIR fence + Tretyakov collector and shield; – Frequency of measurement: twice daily; – Method of measurement: weighing of the collector; • R 2 reference: – – • DFIR fence; Geonor 600 mm, 3 transducers + CRN heating + single Alter; DRD 11; Sampling Frequency: 6 seconds. R 3 reference: – – Geonor 600 mm, 3 transducers + CRN heating + single Alter; Geonor 600 mm, 3 transducers + CRN heating + no shield; DRD 11 (the same as for the R 2); Sampling Frequency: 6 seconds.

CARE: Instruments Under Test Instrument Type Instrument Make and Model Configuration Shield type (if applicable) Other configuration information Number of instruments in the same configuration WEIGHING GAUGE OTT PLUVIO 2 Single Alter HEATED RIM 1 WEIGHING GAUGE OTT PLUVIO 2 Belfort Double Alter HEATED RIM 1 Tipping Bucket (IP) CAE S. P A PMB 25 R N/A HEATED 1 Tipping Bucket(IP) Hydrological Services America – TBH/TBH-LP N/A HEATED 1 Tipping Bucket(IP) Meteoservis – MR 3 H-FC N/A HEATED 1 Tipping Bucket(IP) ZAMG- MR 3 H-C N/A HEATED 1 Tipping Bucket(IP) E. T. G- R 102 R N/A HEATED 1 (no news) Disdrometer Droplet Measurement tech. N/A - MPS HEATED 1

CARE: Ancillary Measurements Parameter Instruments Used Data format Reporting Interval Air Temperature YSI 44212 ASCII DELIMITED 30 Sec Relative Humidity Air Temperature Atmospheric Pressure HMP 155 ASCII DELIMITED 1 min PTB 220 ASCII DELIMITED 1 Min Wind Speed 10 m RM YOUNG 5103 ASCII DELIMITED 6 Sec Wind Direction 10 m RM YOUNG 5103 ASCII DELIMITED 6 Sec Wind Speed at the gauge orifice (specify height) Precipitation Detector (Y/N output) Precipitation type Vaisala NWS 425 (2 m; 3. 5 m) ASCII DELIMITED 5 Sec Vaisala DRD 11 ASCII DELIMITED 6 Sec ASCII DELIMITED 1 min Ice detection sensor MSC POSS (precip occurrence sensor system) ROSEMOUNT/AWOS PI ASCII DELIMITED 1 Min Snow Depth SR 50 A ASCII DELIMITED 1 Min Net Radiation TBD Visibility Belfort 6200 ASCII DELIMITED 1 Min Web / video / still cameras Axis Still pictures One /hour/ instrument Manual observations: snow depth, MSC Snow Stakes 30 measurement points ASCII DELIMITED DAILY

CARE: Data Flow

Site Commissioning Expected status on commissioning: • References (where applicable): – R 1: operational – R 2: CRN heaters will be reconfigured; expected to be finalised for commissioning; the Alter shield has been • • separated from the post of the Geonor. – R 3: November 15, 2012; heaters need to be installed and tested; Instruments under test: – Provided by the host: ready by Nov 15 th, 2012 – From Instrument Providers: MPS requires a separate computer and a particular configuration; it may not be completed by Nov 15 th. The 5 TB will be ready within 4 weeks of being received. None received as of Oct 8 th. Instruments for Ancillary Measurements: in the field, except the 3 D wind sensor. Expected to be installed for Nov 15 th. Expected status on Nov 15 th: – Completed 95% in the revised configuration; – no control over the timing of instruments from Manufacturers. – No communication from ETG (Italy), in spite of repeated Gaps for the winter 2012/2013: – intended SPICE test/activities which may not take place, as anticipated during the 2012/13 season; e. g. as a result of the unavailability of instruments or difficulties in configuration; the WMO SPICE configuration for CARE has been adjusted to provide a focused approach for the winter of 12/13, and ensure that results of defendable quality will be made available for the data analysis. While additional instruments are being installed their participation in WMO SPICE will be reassessed based on the degree of success of their installation. – – reasons: availability of human resources. activities postponed for 2013: additional instruments which may be considered for inclusion in WMO SPICE.

Additional Information • Data archive; – Existing and operational; all data is stored centrally in Toronto – Frequency of data transmission from the site to an archive (if any): daily • Have you sent data to NCAR for pre-SPICE? some pre-SPICE data from 2011/2012 – If yes, have you checked if satisfactory plots are available for conducting data quick view: No – Do you have to change data format for transfer to NCAR: yes – How difficult is the process? Software is required to automate the process – Any risks if format is changed: the software needs to be tested for each instrument to ensure that there are no errors (e. g. when the leading character is not as expected) • Which is the reasonable frequency of data transfer to NCAR/SPICE archive to be expected during the experiment: daily to weekly, depending on the routines implemented to organize the data according to the NCAR format requirements.