Overall requirements and standards for RSMCs

The Outline refers to the Outline of the Operational Numerical Weather Prediction at the Japan Meteorological Agency, available at https://www.jma.go.jp/jma/jma-eng/jma-center/nwp/nwp-top.htm.

Quality control of incoming observations

RSMCs operated by JMA apply quality control to the incoming observations they use for GDPFS purposes, in accordance with the WIGOS quality assurance and quality control standards, and contribute to the Rolling Review of Requirements in the area of the observational requirements.

Specifications of observation data quality control are described in 2.3 Quality Control and Relating Procedures of the Outline (latest publication).

RSMCs operated by JMA publish Quality Monitoring Reports at http://qc.kishou.go.jp/ monthly and biannually. JMA serves as the Lead Centre for quality monitoring of land surface observations in the area of Regional Association II.

Data collection and product dissemination

A Data Collection or Production Centre (DCPC) RSMC - Geographical serves as the interface to the WMO Information System for all the RSMCs operated by JMA. The DCPC is connected to Global Information System Centre (GISC) Tokyo and conduct suitable exchange of information with other Centres.

All the products and services of RSMCs operated by JMA are described according to WMO metadata standards and the information is uploaded to WIS metadata catalogue in a timely manner.

Long-term storage of data and products

RSMCs operated by JMA operate an archiving and retrieval system to serve the needs of their continual improvement process, which include the non-real-time assessment of their products and the ability to perform re-runs of their operational production.

Specifications of storage are described in 1.2.4 Mass Storage System of the Outline (latest publication).

Product verification / performance of GDPFS Centres

Products of RSMCs operated by JMA the forecast are operationally monitored by objective verification procedures.

Details of the verification procedures are described in 3.11 Verification of the Outline (latest publication).

RSMCs operated by JMA participate in various verification activities of GDPFS Centres, including those for deterministic numerical weather prediction (NWP), ensemble prediction system (EPS), long-range forecast (LRF), wave forecast and tropical cyclone forecast. JMA serves as the Lead Centres for coordination of EPS and tropical cyclone forecast verification activities.

Documentation on system and products

RSMCs operated by JMA provide up-to-date documentation on the technical characteristics of their operational system and on the products it delivers on JMA’s RSMC portal at https://www.jma.go.jp/jma/en/NMHS/JMA_RSMC.html

Training

RSMCs operated by JMA conduct training activities on the interpretation, performance characteristics, strengths and limitations of their products, based on the latest possible materials.

Examples of trainings conducted by RSMCs operated by JMA include:

Tokyo Climate Centre (TCC) Training Seminars
Typhoon Committee Attachment Training courses at the RSMC Tokyo — Typhoon Center
Training courses sponsored by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
Training workshops for the Severe Weather Forecasting Programme (SWFP) regional subprojects in Southeast Asia, South Asia, Central Asia and South Pacific Islands

Reporting on compliance

RSMCs operated by JMA provide up-to-date information about the current implementation of their system on JMA’s RSMC portal at https://www.jma.go.jp/jma/en/NMHS/JMA_RSMC.html

Graphical representation of observations, analyses and forecasts

RSMCs operated by JMA that have a mandate of chart-based analysis maintain standardized weather forecasting process, including graphical representation of observations, analyses and forecasts.