Research, Coordination, Data Management and Enhancement of the International Arctic Buoy Programme (IABP): A US Interagency Arctic Buoy Programme (USIABP) contribution to the IABP 2023
Abstract
Our ability to predict weather and sea ice conditions requires in situ observations of surface meteorology and ice motion. These observations are assimilated into Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) models that are used to forecast weather on synoptic time scales,and into the many long-term atmospheric reanalyses (e.g. NCEP/NCAR Reanalysis) that are used for innumerable climate studies. The impact of these in situ observations can be seen in Fig. 1 where Inoue et al. (2009) shows that the standard deviation in gridded sealevel pressure (SLP) reanalyses fields over the Arctic Ocean was over 2.6 hPa in areas where there were no buoy observations to constrain the reanalyses, and this uncertainty in the SLP fields spreads to cover the entire Arctic when the observations from buoys are removed from the reanalyses. The buoy observations also help constrain of estimates of wind and heat. In situ observations of sea ice motion are also important for estimating the drift of various areas and types of sea ice, and for understanding the dynamics of ridging and rafting of this ice, which changes the thickness distribution of sea ice. Over the Arctic Ocean, this fundamental observing network is maintained by the IABP, and is a critical component of the Arctic Observing Network (AON).The United States contribution to the IABP is coordinated through the United States Interagency Arctic Buoy Program (USIABP), which is managed by the PSC/APL. The USIABP is a collaborative program that draws operating funds and services from a number of U.S. government organizations and research programs, which include the Office of Naval Research (ONR), NASA, NOAA, the National Science Foundation, and the Coast Guard. From these contributions the USIABP acquires and deploys buoys on the Arctic Ocean, and supports the Coordination, Data Management and Enhancement for the IABP by the PSC/APL.The observations from the IABP have been essential for: 1.) Monitoring Arctic and global climate change (manyof the changes in Arctic climate were first observed or explained using data from the IABP); 2.) Forecasting weather and sea ice conditions; 3.) Forcing, assimilation and validation of global weather and climate models; 4.) Validation of satellite derived estimates of sea ice motion, surface temperature, sea ice thickness, etc.The Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Strategic Outlook for the Arctic (CNO, 2019), states that "As the Navy prepares for current and future operations, understanding and predictingthe environment is critical for meeting mission and ensuring the safety of its personnel and equipment.# However, #A key challenge to modeling in the Arctic is the lack of meteorological and oceanographic observational data. Improvements in environmental characterization and predictive capabilities will depend on increasing measurements of the region.# The CNO (2019) also notes that #The USIABP contributes to the International Arctic Buoy Program, an international group that maintain anetwork of drifting buoys in the Arctic Ocean. These buoys collect sustained weather and oceanographic observations for 3-5 years and provide operational and scientific communities access to in-situ data. Availability of this data improves forecasting capability, thereby reducing operational risk in the Arctic.# #This strategic outlook highlights the importance of monitoring the changing environment continuously evaluating Navy Arctic capabilities, and developing strong partnerships with interagency and international Arctic stakeholders.#Through this proposal, we plan to help address this challenge of monitoring the Arctic, and further develop strong interagency and international partnerships through the USIABP, IABP and ICE-PPR, and advise/mentor Midshipmen from the USNA. The IABP AON provides critical atmospheric, ice, and upper ocean hydrographic measurements that cannot be obtained by other means.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jul 24, 2023
- Source ID
- N000142312568
Entities
People
- Ignatius Rigor
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- University of Washington