Hydro SOS program at WMO
Tommaso Abrate presents the efforts of WMO to coordinate with its Expert Network on updating the satellite data and product requirements for Flood Forecasting and seasonal and long term hydrological forecasts.
In order to better capture the complexity of interlinked natural phenomena related to the atmosphere, ocean, hydrosphere and cryosphere, WMO has adopted a holistic Earth System monitoring approach. The operational implementation of this approach is supported by WMO Congress decisions related to the establishment of a global basic observing network GBON, and the adoption of a unified data policy, aimed at improving the sharing and interoperability of data among users, contributing to better numerical weather prediction and more accurate flood and drought forecasts. To achieve these results, it is important to benefit from emerging approaches in order to combine different data sources such as satellites, citizen observations, low-cost devices, Internet of Things, Big Data. This approach also allows ensuring at least partial information overt hose vast areas of the world where conventional state-funded monitoring approaches are insufficient. WMO is developing technical solution (standards, best practices) to overcome the discrepancies in data quality and the multiplication of different data format. In this context satellite. WMO, in coordination with its Expert Network is working on updating the satellite data and product requirements for Flood Forecasting and seasonal and long term hydrological forecasts and outlook.