GHRSST-PP User Requirements
GHRSST-PP User requirements are split into five broad categories:
- Coastal/Inland Seas(Ultra-high <4km resolution requirement)
- Open Ocean
- Operational forecasting systems (NWP/Oceans)
- Climate research and Seasonal Forecasting
- Science (Oceanography/Meteorology)
A detailed User Requirements Document (URD) has been developed [ click for PDF document ] by the GHRSST-PP Project Office as part of the for the ESA EU-RDAC project. The GHRSST-PP Reanalysis Project is currently drafting a separate User Requirement Document for the development of SST Climate Data Records (CDR).
The Table below specifies the consolidated user requirements for GHRSST-PP operational real time data products and services.
| Spatial resolution (km) | Delivery Timeliness (hours) | Accuracy (C) | ||
| Target | Threshold | |||
| Coastal Ocean | at least 1 | 3 | 6 | <0.3K |
| Open Ocean | 5-10 | 6 | 12 | <0.4K |
| Ultra-high Resolution | 2 | 3 | 6 | <0.3K |
Target=Optimal specification
Threshold=Maximum allowable specification
Coastal/Inland Seas users are defined as those using SST data products in specific regional areas and experiments. Typically, this user group has a requirement for "ultra-high-resolution" SST data sets (1-2 km spatial resolution and <6 hours temporal resolution) with good accuracy (<0.3K) and temporal coverage (hourly). Ancillary information that can be used to interpret/complement/quaility control the SST data are extremely useful.
Open Ocean users are defined as those using SST data products extending over ocean basins or the entire global ocean. Typically, this user group has a requirement for good accuracy (<0.3K), moderate spatialresolution of <10 km 12-24 hours temporal resolution. Ancillary information that can be used to interpret/complement/quaility control the SST data are extremely useful.
Operational users may be interested in both the Coastal Seas and Open Ocean but have a rerquirement for operational (24 hour guaranteed data delivery) in real time. Timeliness is a major issue as any data that arrives at the forecasting centre after the forecast model hass been run is of much less use. Data should be at the centre within 6 hours of aquisition, good accuracy (<0.3K) and spatial resolution of between 5-10 km. Uncertainty estimates are required for each measurement. Note that the next generation of NWP and Ocean forecast systems are expected to require even higher spatial resolution data sets in some regions. Ancillary information that can be used to interpret and quality control the SST data are extremely useful.
Climate Research users are concerned with only the most accurate data that is available. There are no timeliness constraints and typically, fairly coarse spatial resolution data sets are all that is required (although this is expected to change in the future). A time series of >10 years is the minimum length for a climate data set with accuracies of better than 0.1K. Stability of the time-series is an extremely important issue and stabilities of 0.01K per decade are called for. Ancillary information that can be used to quality control and help interpret the SST data are useful.
Scientific users are those groups interested in developing new tools and methods for the generation of GHRSST-PP data products. They include those interested in SST validation, bias correction methods, analysis algorithms, analysis method development etc. Typically, this user group requires access to the highest spatial and temporal resolution SST data products which high accuracy in a format that is easy to work with. Ancillary information that can be used to help interpret and quality control the SST data are extremely useful.
(Last Updated: 12-04-2007)