WORLD METEOROLOGICAL ORGANIZATION
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REGIONAL ASSOCIATION VI
(EUROPE)
MEETING OF THE COORDINATORS/RAPPORTEUR
OF THE WORKING GROUP ON PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE WWW IN REGION VI
LANGEN, GERMANY, 23 – 25 JANUARY 2007 / RAVI/WG-PIW-2007/Doc. 5(6)
(11.1.2007)
ITEM: 5
ENGLISH ONLY

Draft work plan forRapporteur on the Regional

Table-driven Code FormsMigration Plan

Submitted by Eva Červená (Czech Republic)

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Summary and Purpose of Document

The document contains information on the planned activities of the Rapporteur on the Regional TDCF Migration Plan.

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ACTION PROPOSED

The meeting is invited to takethe content of this document into consideration.

References:

[1] Regional Association VI (Europe), Fourteenth Session, Heidelberg, 7-15 September 2005.

[2] Migration to Table-driven Code Forms (TDCF).CBS-Ext.(06)/Doc. 6.2(3), Seoul, 9-16

November 2006.

1. Background

The Rapporteur is expected to develop the RegionalTDCF Migration Plan and to assist the Members of the Region to achieve progress in implementation and use of Table-driven Code Forms (TDCF).

2. List of the planned activities of the Rapporteur on theRegional TDCF Migration Plan

  • To initiate updating of the list of Focal Points on Migration to TDCF in the WMO web server.
  • To produce a set of BUFR samples (a single-subset, multi-subset, non-compressed, compressed) for several types of traditional data.
  • To perform testing ofBUFR sample messages upon request from RA VI members or manufacturers.
  • To participate in development of the website offering “data verification service”.
  • To implementSYNOP template TM 307086 (BUFR template for synoptic reports from fixed land stations suitable for SYNOP data in compliance with reporting practices in RA VI).
  • To participate in organizing a Workshop on Migration to TDCF for RA VI countries in 2007.
  • To develop DraftRegional TDCF Migration Plan.

3. Proposals forachievement of progress in the implementation of TDCF in RA VI to be

included in the Draft Regional TDCF Migration Plan

  • To encourage the RA VI Members to develop their National Migration Plan as the first important step that would significantly help the following implementation of MTDCF.
  • To stress the importance of the ability of each NMS to decode and process the incoming data in TDCF.
  • To recommend migration directly to BUFR. Migration to CREX as the temporary solution (due to inadequate telecommunication means) can be recommended only if the CREX messages are generated by software.
  • To advise the Members on the policy for data collecting at the national level that is entirely in the competence of the NMS. Data may be collected in traditional codes, TDCF or an internal format, provided that the required metadata as well as the data values are included in the BUFR (or CREX) messages for the international exchange.
  • To encourage the Members who are technically capable of producing data in TDCF to start the operational exchange of Category 1 data in BUFR (or CREX). A more visible approach of the RA VI leading Centers would help to encourage the activities of the other Members.
  • To stress the importance ofCode Tables, Templates, Guides and Migration information being always up-to-date in the WMO web server.
  • To set apart the migration of METAR, SPECI and TAF data that has caused concerns raised by RA VI aviation specialists.
  • To suggest the availability of DCPCs to assist the NMSs within their zone of responsibility to convert the TAC data to TDCF upon the NMS’s request.