National and global meteorological requirements for spectrum

Dr Sue BarrellAssistant Director (Observations and Engineering)

Australian Bureau of Meteorology

Bureau of Meteorology

• The overall mission of the Bureau is to observe and understand

Australian weather and climate and provide meteorological,

hydrological and oceanographic services in support of

Australia’s national needs and international obligations.

• Mandate and authority derives from Meteorology Act 1955

• Funded through Government appropriation

• Public good

• The Bureau is an Executive Agency within the Environment and

Heritage Portfolio

The role of the Bureau

• Basic Objectives of the Bureau: Climate record – meet the need for reliable climate data

Scientific understanding – advance the science of meteorology and

develop an understanding of Australia’s weather and climate

Community welfare – contribute to:

• reduction of the social and economic impact of natural disasters

• safety of life and property

• national security

• economic development and prosperity of primary, secondary and

tertiary industry

• community health, recreation, and quality of life

International cooperation – advance Australia’s interests in and through

international meteorology

The Bureau’s services to the community

• Disaster mitigation (severe storms, tropical cyclones, fire

weather, etc)

• Water resource monitoring/prediction

• Drought assessment

• Climate monitoring

• Forecasts

• Public weather (for the media, and website)

• Marine (incl Navy) weather, seas state, etc

• Aviation and Defence weather

Components of the Bureau’s Observation SystemComponents of the Bureau’s Observation System

Spectrum usage by the Bureau of Meteorology

• Observing Systems

Passive Systems

Active Systems

Downlink frequencies for dissemination of satellite data

Meteorological aids: about 900 radiosonde stations

worldwide in the 400 MHz band

Ground-based systems observing in the high frequencies

(IR, Visible, UV)

Passive satellite systems

detect radiation emitted by molecules in the earth & atmosphere

Smoke - large part.

CloudHot Area

Smoke -small part.

Fire

Shadow

GrassLake

Soil

AVIRIS Image

SnowLow Clouds

Cirrus

Passive satellite systems combinations of bands are used for retrieving information from radiation emitted by the earth and atmosphere

For example: snow, low-cloud,

high-cloud discrimination using

4 separate frequencies in the

microwave spectrum

Passive satellite systemsused for deep convection analysis using microwave and IR frequencies

Temperature

Hei

ght

H2O Vapor

Tropopause

Troposphere

Stratosphere

T11 < T6.7 (T6.7 - T11) > 0Deep convection presents many hazards to aviation (e.g., turbulence, lightning, large hail, icing).

Spectrum usage by the Bureau of Meteorology

• Observing Systems

Passive Systems

Active Systems

• Weather radars & vertical wind profilers

• Space-based sensors such as altimeters eg. JASON,

QUIKSCAT

Downlink frequencies for dissemination of satellite data

Meteorological aids: about 900 radiosonde stations worldwide in

the 400 MHz band

Ground-based systems observing in the high frequencies (IR,

Visible, UV)

Active Systems - Weather radar

Tropical Cyclone Monica

24 April 2006 (Cat. 5)

Plan and vertical scans, clearly locating eye structure and rain bands

C Band Radar, Gove

Spectrum usage by the Bureau of Meteorology

• Observing Systems

Passive Systems

Active Systems

Downlink frequencies for dissemination of satellite data

• In exchange we provide satellite-positioning services from

the Bureau’s earth-stations

Meteorological aids: about 900 radiosonde stations worldwide

in the 400 MHz band

Ground-based systems observing in the high frequencies (IR,

Visible, UV)

Constellation of Meteorological Satellites

FY-2A(CHINA)86.5°E

GOES-10(USA)135°W

GOES-12(USA)75°W

METEOSAT-9 (EUMETSAT)0°

METEOSAT-7(EUMETSAT)57.5°E

METEOSAT-6(EUMETSAT)63°E

GOMS(RUSSIA)76°E

INSAT 2-E(INDIA)83°E

FY-1D(CHINA)

NOAA-12,14,15,16,17,18(USA)

METEOR-3M-N1(RUSSIA)

KALPANA-1(INDIA)74°E

METEOSAT-8 (EUMETSAT)3.4°W

METOP-A(EUMETSAT)

FY-2C(CHINA)105°E

GOES-9(USA)200°W

GOES-11(USA)105°W

FY-2B(CHINA)123.5°E

INSAT 3-A(INDIA)93.5°E

INSAT 2-B(INDIA)111.5°E

INSAT 3-C(INDIA)74°E

MTSAT-1R(JAPAN)140°E

INSAT 2-C(INDIA)48°E

Frequency bands Passive sensingActive sensing

Australian Bureau of Meteorology – 2006 spectrum use

GHz 100 – 853 Space - based• atmospheric chemistry, water vapour, temperature

GHz 50 – 60 Space - based• atmospheric oxygen for temperature profiling

GHz 36 – 37 Space - based• rain / snow precipitation • cloud liquid water / vapour• ocean wind & ice • soil moisture

GHz 31 – 32 Space - based• window channels related to temperature measurement

GHz 24 Space - based• atmospheric water vapour • cloud liquid water

GHz 19 Space - based• sea-state and ocean ice • rain / snow• water vapour

GHz 11 Space - based• rain / snow / ice • soil moisture• sea-state / ocean wind • ocean surface temperature

GHz 1.4 Space - based• vegetation index • soil moisture & salinity• sea-state / ocean wind • ocean surface temperature

GHz 9.3 – 9.5 Surface - based• Weather Watch & Wind – find RADAR X - band

GHz 5.6 – 5.65 Surface - based• Weather Watch & Wind - find RADAR C - band

GHz 2.7 – 2.9 Surface - based• Weather Watch & Wind - find RADAR S - band

GHz 94 - 238 Space – based• Cloud profiling

GHz 13.25 - 36 Space - based• Wind, ice, geoid, vegetation, snow, rain, altimetry

GHz 5.15 – 5.46 Space - based• Geology • Sea – ice • Oceanography• Land – use • Interferometry

GHz 0.42 – 0.47 Space - based• Forestry monitoring ( biomass )

MHz 1680 Surface - based• Radiosonde ( balloon )

MHz 400.15 – 403 Surface - based• Radiosonde ( balloon )

MHz 1280 Surface - based• Wind Profiler ( Troposphere – Stratosphere )

MHz 50 Surface - based• Wind Profiler ( Troposphere – Stratosphere )

Downlink frequencies

Australian Bureau of Meteorology – 2006 spectrum use

MHz 137.035 137.1, 137.795, 137.9125• Polar-orbiting satellite FY1

MHz 137.35, 137.5, 137.62, 137.77• Polar-orbiting satellite NOAA

MHz 1687.1• Geostationary satellite MTSAT-1R

MHz 1687.5 • Geostationary satellite FY2

MHz 1691 • Geostationary satellite (low resolution data)

MHz 1695.5, 1698, 1702.5, 1704.5, 1707• Polar-orbiting satellite (high resolution data)

GHz 1.6955, 1.698, 1.7025, 1.7045, 1.707• Polar-orbiting satellite NOAA (Davis)

MHz 1684• TARS (receive)

MHz 1690• TARS (receive)

MHz 2032.2• TARS (transmit)

MHz 2064.5• TARS (transmit)

Transmit and receive frequencies

GHz 4.04 and 8 (X-band)future meteorological data dissemination services

MHz 2-20• Marine HF (Voice and fax)

HF Marine Broadcast System

Bureau of Meteorology Coastal Seas Forecast and High Seas Bulletin

Broadcast by voice and facsimile from two sites, Willuna and Charleville

Information to be broadcast is relayed by data link from Melbourne Head Office

Spectrum usage by the Bureau of Meteorology

• Observing Systems

Passive Systems

Active Systems

Downlink frequencies for dissemination of satellite data

Meteorological aids: 38 radiosonde stations across Australia

(and its territories) in the 400 MHz band (1680MHz in

reserve)

Ground-based systems observing in the high frequencies

(IR, Visible, UV)

Spectrum usage by the Bureau of Meteorology

• Observing Systems

Passive Systems

Active Systems

Downlink frequencies for dissemination of satellite data

Meteorological aids: about 900 radiosonde stations worldwide in the

400 MHz band

Numerous and varied ground- and space-based systems observing

in the high frequency bands (IR, Visible, UV)

Space-based systems dependent on radio frequency downlink for direct

readout and timely data processing and assimilation

The Bureau’s services to the community

ECMWF experiment shows the impact of removing 3 AMSU-A instruments

Impact of satellite data on forecasts

Another ECMWF experiment showed the impact of removing various observing systems from forecast analysis.

Removing satellite data (purple line) has the largest impact on the forecast analysis.

Tropical cyclones cloud imagery, rainfall rate, sea surface winds

– TRMM, Meghatropiques (2009) and GPM constellation (2013)

– Aqua, Terra

– ERS-2, QuikScat, Metop/ASCAT

– DMSP/SSMI

– GOES, Meteosat, MTSAT

• Weather forecasting in support of flood prediction

cloud imagery and rainfall rate

– TRMM, Meghatropiques (2009) and GPM constellation (2013)

– all Operational met. satellites

–Aqua –Terra

• Drought and risk of wildfires soil moisture, vegetation index weather forecasting

– Spot, Landsat

– all Operational met. satellites

–Aqua –Terra

Vegetation anomaly over Africa, MODIS/Terra

Satellite Systems support Disaster Warning

Wildfires, volcanic eruptions Visible and IR high resolution imagery

• Oil spills SAR Imagery

– NOAA-Metop (AVHRR), Aqua-Terra (MODIS), SPOT, Landsat

– MSG (SEVIRI),GOES , MTSAT

Esperanza Fires, Landsat

– NOAA-Metop (AVHRR), Aqua-Terra (MODIS, ASTER), SPOT, Landsat

– MSG (SEVIRI),GOES, MTSAT

– RadarSat, ENVISAT (ASAR)

Floods in India, Terra, MODIS

• TsunamiOcean topography

Hot spots in Guinea, 2004, SEVIRI on Meteosat-8

• Dust storms multispectral VIS/IR imagery

Meteosat, MTSAT, GOES

Dust storm over Africa, 3

March 2004, Meteosat-8, SEVIRI

• Floods Visible and IR high resolution imagery

Disaster Detection and Monitoring

The Bureau’s services to the community

Sydney, Hunter and Northern Regions Hail

Storm

3 December 2001

$30M estimated damages

The Bureau’s services to the community

• Satellite data was used to position the eye of the cyclone to an accuracy of 30km, 2 days before it made landfall

Tropical Cyclone Larry

20 March 2006MTSAT-1R image of TC Larry

TRMM (microwave) image of TC Larry

• Weather radar data tracked the movement of the storm and was used to provide forecasts and warnings• Reached category 5• No lives were lost

• Total estimated damages: $360M

Willis Island Radar

Australian Water Availability Project

• Partnership of Bureau of Rural Sciences, CSIRO, Bureau of Meteorology• Funded by National Heritage Trust, in support of the National Water Initiative• Establish monitoring and prediction of soil moisture and water balance components

(rainfall, evaporation, transpiration, runoff) to: Underpin sustainable & productive natural resource management and farm

profitability Support implementation of federal Exceptional Circumstances (drought relief)

policy Manage impact of drought on urban and rural water supplies

• Real-time (in situ and space-based) data drives a water balance model: Meteorological data

• Precipitation, temperature, humidity, wind Satellite-derived data

• Solar radiation• Vegetation greenness• Land surface temperature

VegetationGreenness

Solar Radiation

Flexibility in the choice of frequencies used by the Bureau of Meteorology

Spectrum usage Flexibility

Passive remote sensing None There are no alternative regions of the spectrum to measure radiation emitted by molecules in the earth & atmosphere

Weather radars & wind profilers

Little Can tune operating frequencies of modern equipt, but must remain within band.

Frequency tuneability is limited by band plan agreements with other users.

Older units can be untunable

Downlink frequencies None Determined by international satellite operators (Australia has no satellites)

Surface-based (point to multipoint) communications

High Determined by equipment and stakeholders

Location of earth stations Little Some flexibility to locate earth stations away from capital cities, but at very high cost (security, communications, maintenance).

As a public good organisation, the Bureau cannot pass on costs.

Meteorological data – cost to the Bureau

• Free international exchange of meteorological data

WMO Resolution 40:

“.. provide on a free and unrestricted basis essential data and products which are

necessary for the provision of services in support of the protection of life and

property and the well-being of all nations, particularly those basic data and

products, … required to describe and forecast accurately weather and climate, and

support WMO Programmes; ..”

• Extensive Australian use of foreign satellite data, freely provided

in exchange for protection of satellite interests

• Failure to cooperate puts access to this free data at risk

Value of meteorological services

• In the UK, the value to community today is 1.5 Billion pounds p/a

o Expect higher for Australia (UK 2x population, 2x GDP, 0.05x area

of Australia)

• All data consistently point to the value of all Australian meteorological

services being $2-3 Billion per annum

• Benefit to cost ratio of meteorological services:

Basic public weather services for householders (forecasts and warnings) 4:1

Terminal aerodrome forecasts service for international flights to Sydney airport 2.7:1

Public weather and climate services for mining firms in Queensland 17:1

Tropical cyclone warning service for homeowners in QLD 10 - 66:1

Impact of compromised access to key spectrum bands

• Disaster mitigation services affected

• Quality of forecasts diminished – lives at risk

• Increased costs resulting from weather-related disasters

Cost of all weather-related damage (severe wx, drought, flood, etc) in 2005:

$276 billion. (UN expects a peak year of $1.3 Trillion USD before 2040.)

Australian GDP ~2% of global GDP, suggests peak Australian annual loss

of as much as $30 Billion before 2040.

Assume 10% of damage is “avoidable”, then up to $3 Billion per annum

value of meteorological services in Australia.

Foregone economic benefit of extended period forecasts

Summary

• Bureau of Meteorology delivers high value services to the community

Critical to the safety of life and the protection of property

• Services depend on robust and effective observing systems and

communications

Largely dependent on unhindered access to radiofrequency spectrum

A mix of frequencies and systems are essential to service continuity and

quality

• Timely & reliable access to satellite data essential to data assimilation

Early detection and warning to maximise preparedness and response to

severe weather and natural disasters

• Future service improvements, such as extended period forecasts,

depend on access to new satellite observations via X band reception

Thank you