GCOS Reference Upper-Air Network
The climate reference network
The Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) Reference Upper-Air Network (GRUAN) is an international reference observing network of sites measuring essential climate variables above Earth's surface, designed to fill an important gap in the current global observing system. GRUAN measurements are providing long-term, high-quality climate data records from the surface, through the troposphere, and into the stratosphere. These are being used to determine trends, constrain and calibrate data from more spatially‐comprehensive observing systems (including satellites and current radiosonde networks), and provide appropriate data for studying atmospheric processes. GRUAN is envisaged as a global network of eventually 30-40 sites that, to the extent possible, builds on existing observational networks and capabilities.
GRUAN promotional video
This video provides an excellent overview of the goals and principles of GRUAN and its relation to the current challenges in climate research. You can find this and other public outreach material here.
Latest news
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GNSS station installed at Graciosa
In a cooperative effort, ARM and GFZ Potsdam have set up a GNSS station at the GRUAN site in Graciosa (GRA), [ENA - Eastern North Atlantic].
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AMT paper Weaver et al. 2019
The following GRUAN-relevant paper was published at AMT: "Comparison of ground-based and satellite measurements of water vapour vertical profiles over...
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AMT paper Hicks-Jalali et al. 2019
The following GRUAN-relevant paper was published at AMT: " Calibration of a water vapour Raman lidar using GRUAN-certified radiosondes and a new...
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JGR paper Brunamonti et al. 2019
The following GRUAN-relevant paper was published at JGR Atmospheres: "Water Vapor in the Asian Summer Monsoon Anticyclone: Comparison of Balloon‐Borne...
Status of GRUAN sites
GRUAN is envisaged as a global network of eventually 30-40 measurement sites. To the extent possible, it builds on existing observational networks and capabilities. As at May 2019, GRUAN comprises of 26 sites, 12 of which have been GRUAN certified.
Status of data flow
A comprehensive volume of measurement data has been collected by GRUAN since 2008. The archive includes raw data and related meta-data. For the Vaisala RS92 and the Meisei RS-11G radiosonde, GRUAN Data Products (GDP) have been fully implemented and certified. Further GDPs are in certification process or under development.