date: Mon Nov  9 10:14:41 2009
from: Phil Jones <p.jones@uea.ac.uk>
subject: Re: AGG items
to: Richard Thigpen <thigpenr@erols.com>, "Stephan Bojinski (E-Mail)" <SBojinski@wmo.int>

    Dick,
       Attached is a ppt for tomorrow.  Let me know when you're going to call me.
    I'll be at +44 1603 592090
    It shouldn't take more than 15 minutes at the very most.
    Cheers
    Phil
   At 11:31 23/10/2009, Richard Thigpen wrote:

     Hi Phil,
     Did you want to run this past the AGG or its so easy that's not necessary?
     I will certainly try to get all the data I can from Cuba.  You are correct, some NCDC
     reports are not always correct.  The lead Centers complain a lot!
     No Pakistan does not use Indian sondes.
     I'll review options for GCOS-73 with Stephan next week and we'll let you know.
     Cheers
     Dick
     Phil Jones wrote:

      Dick,
         It is probably worth agreeing to all 4 from Cuba as they are well spaced out. It
     would be just good if they began issuing CLIMATs, so if only for that score it is
     useful.
        An issue is whether NCDC really do have the historic CLIMATs for all of them. I've
     looked at what we in CRU have and we only have them up to 1970.  It would be useful to
     try and get their historic CLIMATS (just their monthly averages and totals) if you go.
         Karachi for the GUAN sounds OK - I presume they don't use Indian sondes.
        Maybe we should put GCOS-73 on the AOPC agenda. Better still we could send the latest
     version around and you could flag  up the issues you have below.
         If there is nothing much more on GUAN and the GSN then  conf call may not be that
     necessary.
      Cheers
      Phil
     At 13:54 22/10/2009, Richard Thigpen wrote:

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     Hello Phil,
     A few things we should discuss either by phone or by e mail as you prefer:
     Cuba has offered several stations for GSN.
     "I like to inform you that meteorological stations of Cabo de San Antonio (78310) at the
     western tip of  Cuba, Casa Blanca (78325) at Havana City, Camagey (78355) in the middle
     of the country and Maisi (78369) at the eastern tip, are the proposes of the Institute
     of Meteorology  for incorporating to GCOS."
     None report CLIMAT today but they say they will start in February 2010 (with January
     CLIMAT).  We probably do not need all four.  I attach a map but cannot find two stations
     yet.  They are not part of Cuba's RBCN.   I'll get them on the map soon.  I think I can
     find them in Vol A and insert them.  They all send SYNOP and NCDC has history since
     1940's.  They say they are willing to prepare and send CLIMAT for all of 2009 once they
     get started.
     They want me to come, perhaps in February, and I can get more info then.  But we have
     been trying to get them for years so perhaps we would want to add them in the January
     change cycle?  Otherwise we wait a year.  I am in contact with the PR and the head of
     the Climate department.
     Karachi, Pakistan is offered for GUAN.  Seems like a good choice to me.
     They work well and we need better coverage in this region.  The PR offered it.
     At some point I will bring up Lima again and suggest dropping it AGAIN!
     There's no way I can get it going.  Its a political issue in Peru and the Met Service
     does not operate the station.  They no longer respond to me as they are simply tired of
     my questions.
     For GCOS-73 I think maybe we should try a working session at the next AOPC.  All of us
     have chipped in a bit but I am not sure it is now very readable.  Surely Stephan could
     make it readable but there are a few other issues to me.  We have changed the GUAN
     requirements which suggests we need to advise the operators of GUAN stations.  Perhaps
     they no longer agree.  And we have that statement that a certification/commitment from
     the NMHS is a minimum requirement.  If we really want that we need to consider the
     implementation. I also think we need to consider the advertising/distribution of the new
     version.  Just posting it on our web site may not be all we want.  If we actually send a
     copy with a cover telling them the essentials we might get a better support from the
     operators. (And maybe not!)
     Again I could set up an AGG conference call if you wish. Cheers
     Dick

     Prof. Phil Jones
     Climatic Research Unit        Telephone +44 (0) 1603 592090
     School of Environmental Sciences    Fax +44 (0) 1603 507784
     University of East Anglia
     Norwich                          Email    p.jones@uea.ac.uk
     NR4 7TJ
     UK
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   Prof. Phil Jones
   Climatic Research Unit        Telephone +44 (0) 1603 592090
   School of Environmental Sciences    Fax +44 (0) 1603 507784
   University of East Anglia
   Norwich                          Email    p.jones@uea.ac.uk
   NR4 7TJ
   UK
   ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
