EMI

The European National Meteorological Services (ENMSs) have implemented the European Meteorological Infrastructure (EMI), an operational infrastructure which combines a network of national assets and shared European capabilities established through ECMWF, EUMETSAT and EIG EUMETNET, into a consistent European information system, and which delivers information services to decision makers, customers and users throughout Europe. ECMWF (www.ecmwf.int) delivers advanced global data assimilation and medium range to extended range forecasts (weather and sea state), and other services including real time quality control of observations. This is based on one of the world largest super computing facilities and world leading advanced numerical models of the Earth system . ECMWF also produces periodical reanalyses providing the most accurate four-dimensional history of the atmosphere (ERA-40). ECMWF data and products, which include access to its huge archive are delivered through ENMSs of Member States or via dedicated servers or networks. ECMWF also manages the Regional Data Communication Network (RMDCN) which is both the WMO telecommunication system for the European Region and the telecommunication system between ECMWF and its Member States.At national level, European NMS maintain networks of skilled personnel and operate high density in-situ observation networks, data collection, information, and dissemination and IT systems and IT and information systems covering their full national territory. They run regional short range forecast systems and a variety of information services, in the field of meteorology and climatology, and, when this is within the scope of their legal mandate, global forecasts or other specific forecasts and observation systems e.g. for ocean, hydrology, air quality prediction, seasonal prediction and climate simulations. EUMETNET (www.eumetnet.eu.org) observation programmes like EUCOS (including E-AMDAR and E-ASAP), E-SURFMAR or WINPROF, optimise the design, integration and day to day operations of fully integrated European in situ observations networks of common interest. EUMETNET programmes also address cross border exchange and standardisation of weather radar data (OPERA), development of an internet-based information system offering uniform access to all kinds of meteorological data and products (UNIDART), exchange of information on observing systems (OBS-INFO), exchange of information and improvement of the quality of climate data (ECSN, ECA&D, European Climate Atlas), exchange of information and cooperation on short range numerical weather prediction (SNRWP), development of a European portal harmonising and integrating national awareness information services (EMMA) or computer assisted learning (EUMETCAL). Other EUMETNET programmes are devoted to support research (MAP-NWS) or to ensure the protection of radio-frequencies essential to meteorological observations (E-FREQ). The emphasis of EUMETNET is also on applications using information from the EMI. In this capacity, EUMETNET coordinates the development of standard or common tools, and the contribution of ENMSs to GMES EURORISK projects aimed at demonstrating prototype services for risk management of natural and technological hazards. EUMETNET has also established an environment working group (WG-ENV). EUMETSAT (www.eumetsat.de) components are operational systems of European satellites for meteorology and climate monitoring. These systems (e.g. Meteosat, MSG, EPS, Jason-2) include real time data dissemination capabilities (EUMETCast), central facilities for basic data services, and a geographically distributed network of Satellite Applications Facilities (SAF) delivering other products. The output data streams are relevant to meteorology, but also to atmospheric chemistry, oceanography, sea ice and climate monitoring, land application and hydrology.