From January 28-30, Atmospheric Science and Technology Directorate’s Climate Research Division hosted a workshop to discuss the implementation of the Snow-Watch component of the World Meteorological Organization’s Global Cryosphere Watch (GCW) program. Twenty-eight scientists from nine countries met to assess the current state of global snow monitoring, identify critical issues affecting the provision of authoritative and consistent information on the current state of snow cover, and initiate priority GCW Snow-Watch projects. The workshop generated a number of recommendations for GCW Snow-Watch, including the need to get more real-time surface data on the WMO Global Telecommunication Service, the need for systematic evaluation of snow monitoring products, and the need to improve consistency in measuring and reporting surface snow cover and snowfall information. Environment Canada (EC) scientists will participate in some of the proposed Snow-Watch projects, including a working group of key researchers involved in snow cover monitoring over North America. This working group will examine ways to improve and streamline snow cover monitoring products and services for North America. Participation will enhance EC’s ability to provide authoritative information and operational monitoring products on current snow cover conditions and variability and change over Canada and other regions of the globe.

Copies of presentations and summaries of workshop discussions and recommendations are posted on the WMO website. A workshop report is in preparation and will be available on this website in the near future.

Contacts: Ross Brown, (514) 282-6464, Ross.Brown@ec.gc.ca; or Anne Walker, (416) 739-4357, Anne.Walker@ec.gc.ca, Climate Research Division