Evolution of the European meteorological observing systems

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The Scientific Advisory Team (SAT) of the EUMETNET Composite Observing System (EUCOS) met at the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) on 14-15 May. The SAT provides EUCOS with scientific input and evaluates proposals for the evolution of the European meteorological observing systems for 'regional Numerical Weather Prediction', that is to say an area that covers the North Atlantic, Europe, Northern Africa, and this side of the Arctic for 2-5 day forecasts.

The Scientific Advisory Team (SAT) of the EUMETNET Composite Observing System (EUCOS) met at the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) on 14-15 May. The SAT provides EUCOS with scientific input and evaluates proposals for the evolution of the European meteorological observing systems for 'regional Numerical Weather Prediction', that is to say an area that covers the North Atlantic, Europe, Northern Africa, and this side of the Arctic for 2-5 day forecasts.

The meeting, chaired by ECMWF, reviewed inter alia the status of the EUCOS observing system sub-programmes, and consolidated results from a number of observing system impact studies performed in a coordinated manner at ECMWF and the National Meteorological Services in Norway, Denmark, the United Kingdom, and Hungary.

The EUCOS Operational Programme was established in 2002, based on recommendations resulting from the EUCOS Implementation Programme (1999-2001). It aims to establish and operate a truly European observing network under the auspices of the European Meteorological Network (EUMETNET), to deliver increased efficiency, leading to better-quality numerical and general forecasts, initially on a European scale.