EUMETSAT’s Climate Anomaly and Normals Service: a tool to support Climate Analysis using Satellite based Climate Data Records

Long-term homogeneous records of Earth observations are essential for monitoring climate change, its variability, and the frequency and intensity of extremes. EUMETSAT and it's Satellite Application Facilities (SAFs) generate consistent Climate Data Records (CDRs) and Interim Climate Data Records (ICDRs) for a wide range of geophysical variables based on satellite observations. From these data records, climate anomalies and normals are routinely derived to place past and current climate conditions into the robust historical context of WMO defined climate normals.

While the computation of climate anomalies and normals may appear straightforward, a scientifically rigorous implementation must carefully consider potential issues in the observational records such as spatiotemporal gaps or varying sampling frequencies due to the use of different instruments over time. To support the assessments of climate variability and extremes, EUMETSAT is developing a web-based platform providing maps and timeseries of climate anomalies and normals called the Climate Anomalies and Normals (CAN) Service. It is based on precomputed climate anomalies and normals from existing CDRs and interim continuations (ICDRs) of them to ensure timely delivery of climate information. The CAN-Service provides user-friendly access to maps and the underlying data for further analysis, while the full (I)CDRs are available via the EUMETSAT Data Store. By this it provides strong support to national climate services and the public, including media.

The CAN-Service enables users to interpret current conditions in the context of historical variability, supporting the quantification of extremes and monitoring changes. The presentation will address the development status and methodological approach of the CAN-Service and will discuss examples from the climate data records contained. It will also address future evolution of EUMETSAT’s CAN-Service.