GCOS Atmospheric Surface ECV: Pressure
Introduction

Observations at the surface of the Earth are vitally important as they characterise the climate of the layer of the atmosphere in which we live, and where many impacts of climate change will be felt and necessitate adaptation. Climate analysis has traditionally placed emphasis on surface temperature, precipitation and pressure data. Temperature and precipitation have the greatest impact on natural systems and human activities, with pressure allowing a perspective on the meteorological systems that drive the weather. More recently, wind speed, wind direction and sunshine data have become increasingly important as Parties consider measures to adapt to future climate change, as these data are also essential for the design of renewable energy systems, which include wind and solar farms as well as hydroelectric systems. Wind, water vapour, sunshine and surface radiation are also associated with a range of direct impacts. There is an increasing need for local, high-frequency surface atmospheric data on climate, to characterise extremes for the purposes of monitoring and research, and more generally to meet needs relating to impacts, vulnerabilities and adaptive responses.Notwithstanding the improvements in observation that are called for, and the scope for recovery of past observations, there will inevitably be limitations in the spatial and temporal coverage of in situ near-surface observations over land that cannot be compensated by observations from space, and limitations in observational coverage of the past will remain. Atmospheric reanalysis provides a complete coverage in space and time within the constraints of model resolution. Use of the products of reanalysis to develop links between meteorological conditions and socio-economic impacts is viewed as a key approach to develop the relationships needed to interpret the output of climate projection models for the purpose of assessing needs and options for adaptation. This brings with it requirements for reanalysis regarding the resolution in space and time of its products, in addition to general requirements for accuracy and homogeneity.
 
As networks evolve, it is important to note that the usefulness of all the ECVs in the atmospheric domain is enhanced through collocated measurements of terrestrial and ecosystem properties. Greater efforts should be made to establish key sites in selected areas where many of the ECVs for both the atmospheric and terrestrial domains are observed. 
 
Specific attention needs to be paid to the measurement of the ECVs in the urban environment where an increasing proportion of the world’s population resides and where specific impacts and issues of adaptation arise.

(Source: WMO/IOC Implementation Plan for the Global Observing System for Climate in Support of the UNFCCC (2010 Update) GCOS-138/GOOS-184/GTOS-76/WMO-TD/No. 1523)

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