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    Workshop on the Use of Gridded Satellite Data for Climate Services

    Online Phase: 16 April - 27 April 2018

           Classroom Phase: 14 - 18 May 2018, Riga, Latvia                            

    		                                

    • Welcome to the course "Using gridded Satellite Data for Climate Services"!

      This 2 weeks, online phase of this training course will introduce you to the use of satellite data in climate monitoring, to the software tools CM SAF R Toolbox and R-Instat and to the Climate Data Store (CDS) provided by the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S). Further you will be guided through the installation of the software tools needed for the classroom phase of this course, as you will be working on your own laptops.

      The aims of this training course (both online and classroom phases) are to help you:

      • Understand why satellite data are important in Climate Monitoring;
      • Understand the difference between
        • Environmental Data Records
        • Fundamental Climate Data Records
        • Climate Data Records
        • Interim Climate Data Records
      • Learn what climate data and products the EUMETSAT's Satellite Application Facility on Climate Monitoring (CM SAF) provides (variables, timeliness, resolution, data formats);
      • Access/download data and products provided by the CM SAF and the Climate Data Store;
      • Investigate the potential of CM SAF data (and other satellite based climate data) for your own applications, using the CM SAF R Toolbox, R-Instat and/or other tools/languages. We will provide scripts in R, but you are welcome to use other languages during the classroom phase. However, we may only be able to provided limited support for other software. 

      This online phase of the training consists of 4 topic areas, containing essential overview material to read/watch, further optional material which you may choose to look at depending on your own interests, short quizzes, and activities such as downloading and installing software, and trying to access data. The final topic will focus on preparation for the classroom phase, where we will ask you to propose a short project that you would like to work on using the CM SAF data. For those without specific applications in mind, we can assist in defining projects you can work on, to learn more about the data and it's applications.

      Announcements about the classroom phase are available in the section "Classroom Phase Riga, 14 - 18 May 2018" below, and you will also be notified of these by email. Please note: For logistic reasons, this section and some other parts of this online phase are only available for those who will come to Riga. You are invited to use the course forum below to introduce yourself and share with us your expectations for this course as well as your questions / comments on the course content (what you are hoping to learn/use the CM SAF data and the Climate Data Store for).

      The instructor team will be glad to answer your questions as best as we can during the course. As new users of the EUMETSAT's Climate Data and the Climate Data Store, this is also a great opportunity for us to get feedback from you about the data, access to it, and how we can improve these services to help you to best use it for your climate applications. 

      We hope you enjoy the online phase, and look forward to working with you in person soon in Riga!

    • Course Forum

      Please use the forum to:

      • get in touch with your course mates and the instructors
      • raise your questions
      • discuss your ideas for the mini project you would like to work on during the classroom phase.

      Forum posts might not be answered immediately - however the instructors will attend the forum and answer your questions in "near real time" during the following times:

      • Monday, 16 April 2018, 12:00 - 14:00 UTC(!): Jörg from CM SAF (General questions about the course; EDR / FCDR / TCDR; CM SAF Data search and ordering; CM SAF R Toolbox)
      • Tuesday, 17 April 2018, 10:00 - 12:00 UTC(!): Danny / Roger from Stats4SD (R-Instat)
      • Wednesday, 18 April, 2018, 11:00 - 13:00 UTC(!): Christine from EUMETSAT (General questions about the course; EDR / IDR / FCDR / TCDR; CM SAF Data search and ordering)
      • Friday, 20 April 2018, 13:00 - 15:00 UTC(!): Angel from the Copernicus Climate Change Service (Climate Data Store)
      • Tuesday, 24 April 2018, 10:00 - 12:00 UTC(!): Danny / Roger from Stats4SD (R-Instat)
      • Wednesday, 25 April 2018,  8:00 - 10:00 UTC(!): Jörg from CM SAF (General questions about the course; EDR / FCDR / TCDR; CM SAF Data search and ordering; CM SAF R Toolbox)
      • Thursday, 26 April 2018, 11:00 - 13:00 UTC(!): Christine from EUMETSAT (General questions about the course; EDR / IDR / FCDR / TCDR; CM SAF Data search and ordering)
      • Friday, 27 April 2018, 13:00 - 15:00 UTC(!): Angel from the Copernicus Climate Change Service (Climate Data Store)

      You can post your contributions at any time and we will do our best to answer them also outside the time slots listed above!

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  • 1

    Satellite-based Climate Data

    This Workshop is about the use of satellite-based climate data for climate Monitoring and other applications.

    Here we are providing background Information on climate data and, more specifically, on those climate data that can be derived from satellite observations. In the context of climate monitoring, climate data are collected

    • to document the status of the climate system and
    • to classify the current state of the climate system in the long term climatology

    The climate observations are coordinated by WMO in the Global Climate Observing System (GCOS), which defines the necessary parameters (the so-called essential climate variables (ECVs) and their requirememts to monitor the climate. Many ECVs, as well as many other parameters that have not been defined as ECVs, can be derived from satellite observations. These include cloud coverage, surface radiation, integrated water vapor, selected greenhouse gases (e.g., CO2), surface albedo, soil moisture, sea surface temperature. While for some parameters long-term climate data records are already available (e.g, cloud coverage, radiation) for other paramters the satellite-based time series might still be too short to be considered a climate data record (e.g., for greenhouse gases).

    Several sources of satellite-based climate data are available:

    These data are made available at no charge.

    • Satellite based climate data records File

      In this workshop we focus on the data provided by the CM SAF. A general introduction into satellite-based climate data records, and those provided by the CM SAF as well as some applications can be found in this presentation, by Jörg Trentmann, DWD / CM SAF.

    • Introductory presentation to the CM SAF

      In this presentation you will learn

      • who CM SAF is and what it does

      • why satellite data play an increasing role in climate monitoring

      • the differences between Environmental Climate Data Records, Fundamental Climate Data Records and Thematic Climate Data Records

       Please enter the password "copernicus" to view the video.

    • Use the Course Forum to post questions, comments, ... .

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    CM SAF provides (long term) climate data sets and operational (near real time) climate products. For more information please refer to the CM SAF web user interface (http://wui.cmsaf.eu) and to the table below.

    • CM SAF Data

    • Check out the CM SAF website for more information: www.cmsaf.eu

    • CM SAF Data Background information Page

      If you would like to learn more about the science behind the CM SAF data, follow this link. This section is mandatory, it is up to you if and to what extend you would like to engage with the science behind the CM SAF data.

    • Ordering and receiving CM SAF data

      Have a look at the presentations below (or refer to the pdf's at the end of this section) to learn how to browse the CM SAF product catalogue and how to order CM SAF data.

      During the classroom phase, you will be working on your own mini project! Please think about a small project you would like to work on - ideally the project is in the context of your duties at work - and order and download the data you would like to work with.

    • Part 1: How to search products in the CM SAF Web User Interface (WUI)

      Please use the password: 'cmsaf' to start the video.

    • Part 2: How to order CM SAF data

      Please use the password: 'cmsaf' to start the video.

    • Please think about which data you would like to work with during the workshop and indicate here! Questionnaire

      Don't worry if your internet connection does not allow you to download the data (in reasonable time), we will bring a selection of CM SAF on hard disks to the classroom. It would thus be helpful if you let us know beforehand, what data you would like to work with.

      Restricted Not available unless: You belong to The Climate Monitoring SAF - Workshop Group

    • Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S)

      Copernicus, previously known as GMES (Global Monitoring for Environment and Security), is the European Programme for the establishment of a European capacity for Earth Observation

      The European Commission has entrusted ECMWF with the implementation of the Copernicus Climate Change Service – C3S. 
      The Copernicus Climate Change service - C3S will provide information to increase the knowledge base to support adaptation and mitigation policies.

      Climate Data Store (CDS) - Toolbox

      The Climate Data Store (CDS) is at the heart of the C3S infrastructure providing information about past, present and future climate in terms of Essential Climate Variables and derived climate indicators.
      CDS has been designed as a distributed system, providing freely and open access to existing datasets through a unified web interface.
      CDS also provides an authoritative set of software (toolbox) that allows the users to develop applications making use of the content of the CDS

      Download CDS toolbox documentation in pdf format

      CDS catalogued data

      CDS Catalogue: Observations

       Access more detailed information about available catalogued products

      Download information about catalogued products in pdf format

    • Use the Course Forum to post questions, comments, ... .

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    To assess what you have learned so far, we will provide you with a quiz later this week.

    • Satellite based Climate Monitoring - What do you know! Quiz

      Use this quiz to asses what you know about satellite based climate monitoring. This is thought to help you find out if you understood the main aspects of the topics above.

      Please note: passing the quiz means that you understood the content of Topic 1 "Satellite Based Climate Date" and Topic 2: "Classroom Preparation I: CM SAF Data and the Copernicus Climate Data Store", you will receive a certificate about the successful completion of the online phase.

      It does not mean that you ready and prepared for the classroom phase. To get ready for the classroom please also go through the content of the following sections and prepare your laptop!

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    You can help to reserve as much time for practical sessions in the classroom as possible, by getting an overview on the software tools we will work with in the classroom and by preparing you laptop following the instructions provided in this section!

    If you join the classroom phase, please answer the three questions below:

    • Will you bring your laptop to Riga? Choice
      Restricted Not available unless: You belong to The Climate Monitoring SAF - Workshop Group
    • Which operating system will be installed on the laptop you bring? Choice
      Restricted Not available unless: You belong to The Climate Monitoring SAF - Workshop Group
    • Which statistical software, if any, have you used? Choice
      Restricted Not available unless: You belong to The Climate Monitoring SAF - Workshop Group

    • Data Formats and Software Tools used in the workshop

      Here you will find information on the software tools and data formats used during the workshop and descriptions on how to install the software.

      Please install R and R-Instat as well as one of the mentioned data viewers (ncBrowse and Panoply) in advance! Please use the forum if you have questions on the installation of the software. In case of issues with admin rights etc. regarding the laptop you will be using in Riga, please contact your local administrator.

      If you have trouble downloading the software, due to poor internet connection - don't worry, we will bring hard disks to the classroom with everything you need.

    • Introduction to the CM SAF R Toolbox

      This CM SAF R Toolbox tutorial video presents the steps to install the toolbox and the basic features from data preparation to data analysis and data visualization.   

      If you are unable to watch this presentation, download the PDF version below.

      CM SAF R Toolbox tutorial (pdf)

    • Introduction to R-Instat

      This presentation introduces R-Instat, showing its general features for organising and describing data, as well as the specific facilities for analysing historical climatic data and satellite based data. R-Instat was originally developed for users in Africa, however it can as well be used elsewhere.

      If you are unable to watch this presentation, download the PDF version below.

      Introduction to R-Instat Presentation (PDF)

    • Prepare your Laptop!

      To help us maximizing the time for practical hands-on-session in Riga, please prepare your laptop as far as you can by following the instructions provided in this book!

      Do not hesitate to use the forum or to contact CM SAF Training in case of questions.

      If you run into issues with admin rights during the software installation we strongly advice you to contact your local administrator well before the classroom phase! These issues cannot be solved in Pretoria!

    • Prepare your Laptop Book

      To help us maximizing the time for practical hands-on-session in Riga, please prepare your laptop as far as you can by following the instructions provided in this book!

      Do not hesitate to use the forum or to contact CM SAF Training in case of questions.

      If you run into issues with admin rights during the software installation we strongly advice you to contact your local administrator well before the classroom phase! These issues cannot be solved in Riga!

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    Most of the time during the classroom will be reserved for working on your own mini project.

    Now that you have learned about the data and software tools, please think about a small project that you would like to work on during the classroom. If you would like to combine gridded satellite data and station data, you are welcome to bring station data to the classroom.

     

    • Application Examples of CM SAF Data Page

      Some Application Examples of CM SAF Data are provided here.

    • Please describe your mini project! Assignment

      Please describe the idea of the mini project you would like to work on during the classroom phase (no more than 100 words).  The mini project ....

      • .... shall make use of CM SAF data
      • .... can make use of station data (you bring with you to the course)
      • .... ideally relates to your work
      Restricted Not available unless: You belong to The Climate Monitoring SAF - Workshop Group
    • Mini-project forum

      Please note: the description of you mini project in the assignment above cannot be seen be other course participants.

      Share you ideas for a mini project with your course mates, if you wish and post it to this forum!

      Restricted Not available unless: You belong to The Climate Monitoring SAF - Workshop Group
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    Material for and from the classroom phase in Riga will be provided here.

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    • Classroom pase - Courese evaluation survey Questionnaire
      Restricted Not available unless: You belong to The Climate Monitoring SAF - Workshop Group
    • Expectations for an Advanced Course on Satellite Based Climate Monitoring Questionnaire

      If you have already working experiences in using satellite data for climate purposes and/or if you have attended a previous EUMETSAT / CM SAF training course on this subject, you may be interested in participating in advanced version of such a training. With this questionnaire we would like to assess your expectations for such a course.

      Restricted Not available unless: You belong to Advanced Climate Trainees
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