WGDMA OBJECTIVES

The overarching goal of the GEWEX global data analysis projects is to obtain observations of the elements of the global energy and water cycle with sufficient detail and accuracy to diagnose the causes of recent climate variations in terms of the energy and water exchanges among the main climate components (atmosphere, ocean, land, cryosphere, biosphere). A number of global, long-term data products have now been produced, primarily concerning clouds, precipitation, top-of-atmosphere and surface radiative fluxes and aerosols. These products have been produced separately, so there is a need to evolve to ever-more consistent analysis products to achieve the objective. To establish a foundation for better global energy and water cycle analysis, the GEWEX (and if possible other) data products need to be evaluated by comparison with each other and by investigating the causes of differences.