Inter-Programme Team on Space Weather Information, System and Services

(IPT-SWeISS)

In June 2016, the Executive Council (EC-68) approved the Four-year Plan for WMO activities related to Space Weather in 2016-2019, and requested the Commission for Aeronautical Meteorology (CAeM) and the Commission for Basic Systems to establish Inter-Programme Team on Space Weather Information, System and Services (IPT-SWeISS) who will pursue the work and achievement of the former expert team on Space Weather, the Interprogramme Coordination Team on Space Weather (ICTSW)

Terms of Reference

The IPT-SWeISS is established with the following Terms of Reference:

• Integration of Space Weather observations, through review of space- and surface-based observation requirements, harmonization of space-based sensor specifications, monitoring plans for Space Weather observations;
• Standardization and enhancement of Space Weather data exchange and delivery through the WMO Information System (WIS);
• Coordinating the development of SPW best practices for end-products and services, including, for example, quality assurance guidelines and emergency warning procedures, in collaboration with aviation and other major application sectors;
• Encouraging the dialogue between the research and operational space weather communities;
• Organization of capacity-building, training and outreach activities towards WMO Members and Space Weather potential users;
• Provision of guidance to WMO Members and Programmes on Space Weather matters, and conduct appropriate actions as requested by CBS and CAeM;
•  Oversee the development and review of OSCAR so that it meets the needs of WIGOS for information concerning user space weather observing system capabilities

The IPT-SWeISS has two co-chairs nominated by the Commission for Basic Systems (CBS) and the Commission for Aeronautical Meteorology (CAeM) respectively. The team works primarily by teleconferences and holds one face-to-face meetings per year.

Membership

Co-chair nominated by CBS (2016):  Dr Robert David Rutledge (USA, NOAA)

Co-chair nominated by CAeM (2016): Dr Xiaoxin Zhang (China, CMA)

IPT-SWeISS Membership  (Updated in January 2018) 

Initial Objectives, Work Plan, and outcomes

• Four-year Plan for WMO activities related to Space Weather in 2016-2019
• Statement of Guidance for Space Weather Observation (February 2018)
• Final Report of the first IPT-SWeISS meeting (Geneva, June 2017)