Quality Control

DBCP Quality Control Guidelines for GTS Buoy Data

The DBCP has developed and implements several types of quality control procedures:

  1. Automated checks on incoming GTS Data: Before data is put onto the GTS, Data Processing centres and the operators of buoys ensure that surface observations are validated in real-time, performing a set of tests as described in DBCP Technical Document No. 2. Details are also on Sharing Your Data
  2. Regular quality assessments by Quality Control Centers: DBCP members then ensure that poor quality data is removed, as quickly as possible, from the GTS, based on feedback on individual data buoys, from data users and quality control centres. A well-defined feedback mechanism ensures that any interventions arising from this off-line quality control (e.g., modifications to individual sensor transfer functions) are communicated to buoy operators and processing centers so that modifications can be implemented into the real-time data processing chain in a coordinated and auditable fashion.Feed back can be via a web interface, known as the QC Relay Mechanism (see below) or via the DBCP QC mailing list
  3. Buoy Monitoring Statistics (Monthly) : Several other bodies (ECMWF, national weather and oceanographic agencies, GDC, ISDM, etc.) contribute to regular assessment of data quality for all buoys on the GTS for the previous month.

A document describing the DBCP QC guidelines in detail, as well as the history of their development is here.

QC Relay Mechanism

Regular and Ad-hoc Quality Control Monitoring for individual buoys is completed by QC centers on behalf of the DBCP and GOOS. Results of the quality assessments are entered into the QC Relay Mechanism tool.

DBCP QC Guidelines mailing list

Once registered on the mailing list, you will automatically receive any message posted by anybody onto the mailing list. For posting messages onto the mailing list, just send an email to the following address (address updated in February 2019):
  • dbcp-qc@jcommops.org.

To be included in this distribution list you must contact the Technical Coordinator of the DBCP.

Monthly Monitoring Statistics (all buoys)

Several other bodies (ECMWF, national weather and oceanographic agencies, GDC, ISDM, etc.) contribute to regular assessment of data quality for all buoys on the GTS for the previous month. Assessments include: errors against Numerical Weather Prediction models (RMS), number of Gross errors and errors in location.

Archived Monthly Monitoring Statistics (Meteo France FTP)

MeteoFrance QC Tools Buoys Monthly Statistics (6 months).

Information document: General Information and Description of Statistics provided by Quality Centers

View chart of quality information over time

 

Participants

The following Principal Meteorological or Oceanographic Centres (PMOC) are presently participating actively in the Guidelines:

  • The Australian Bureau Of Meteorology (ABOM),
  • Environment Canada (AES),
  • The European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF),
  • Meteo France,
  • The Meteorological Service of New Zealand, Ltd. (MSNZ),
  • The National Data Buoy Center (NDBC of NOAA, USA),
  • The National Center for Environmental Protection (NCEP of NOAA, USA),
  • The United Kingdom Meteorological Office (UKMO)
  • GHRSST Scientific Steering Team members.

Other Resources