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
Meeting |
ICM-11: 20-24 May 2019 in Singapore
The 11th GRUAN annual Implementation and Coordination Meeting, ICM-11, will be organized 20-24 May 2019 in Singapore.
Campaign |
Test campaign with Skydew instrument at Lindenberg observatory
From 1-5 April our colleagues from Meisei, Takuji Sugidachi and Kensaku Shimizu, visited the Lead Centre at Lindenberg Observatory to test the Skydew...
Article |
Remote sensing paper Schröder et al. 2019
The following GRUAN-relevant paper was published at Remote Sensing: " The GEWEX Water Vapor Assessment: Overview and Introduction to Results and...
Article |
JGR paper Trent et al. 2019
The following GRUAN-relevant paper was published at JGR Atmospheres: " GEWEX water vapor assessment: Validation of AIRS tropospheric humidity profiles...
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 the end of 2017, GRUAN comprises of 26 sites, 9 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 radiosonde, the first GRUAN Data Product (GDP) has been fully implemented and available since 2012. Further GDPs are in certification process or under development.