Appendix B
STATEMENT OF TASK
The NRC will augment the recommendations of the report Reconciling Observations of Global Temperature Change by writing a brief letter report that will advise NESDIS on actions that might be taken to improve the utility of upper air temperature measurements for the purpose of long-term climate monitoring. In this regard, the report will provide recommendations pertaining to MSU/AMSU sensor measurements from the next four NOAA environmental satellites planned for launch over the next 5 to 8 years. The report will also provide recommendations on extending and refining the radiosonde record for the purpose of temperature-trend monitoring. The letter report will suggest actions that might be taken to improve the quality of long-term temperature data records from MSU/AMSU and radiosondes in the following areas:
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Satellite launch scheduling and replacement strategy
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Satellite sensor calibration, including pre-launch and post-launch, as well as sensor and satellite stabilization
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Temperature processing algorithms
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Provision of adequate radiosonde data for comparison with MSU/AMSU data and long-term monitoring of atmospheric vertical structure
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Provision of other ancillary data necessary in the diagnosis of temperature trends, including information from other channels aboard the NOAA polar orbiting satellites
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Continuity of record
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Data storage and access
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Documentation and electronic access of metadata
