Data Management
Data Management
The Data Management Node of the Antarctic Regional Climate Centre Network is led by the United Kingdom. Its mission is to coordinate the performance of the RCC’s operational data services and to ensure that Antarctic climate datasets are of high quality, well documented and accessible. Long‑term, reliable time series are essential for robust climate assessments; the Node‑DM therefore oversees quality control (QC) processes, metadata standards and data stewardship across all AntRCC products and services.
The Node‑DM fulfils the agreed RCC functions for data services and training by:
- Developing and implementing policies and procedures for quality control, homogenisation and documentation of climate data, following WMO guidelines.
- Maintaining common metadata standards and a central catalogue of AntRCC datasets to ensure that data are findable and interoperable (FAIR).
- Supporting AntRCC partners in publishing quality‑controlled datasets via standard WMO methods and monitoring the performance of data services.
- Promoting long‑term preservation and open access to Antarctic climate records, including data rescue and archiving initiatives coordinated under the WCDMP.
- Providing training and capacity building on data management practices, metadata, QC and WMO compliance for network participants.
The following national meteorological and research institutions contribute expertise to the Node‑DM:
- United Kingdom (Lead): The UK Met Office coordinates the node and provides expertise on operational data services, metadata catalogues and quality management.
- China (Data Access & Publishing Node): Works with the Data Management node to publish quality‑controlled datasets via standard WMO methods and supports the development of interoperable data services.
- Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute (Russia): Contributes Antarctic observational datasets and applies rigorous QC procedures to support the node’s objectives.
- Australia: Provides experience in climate data management and collaborates on metadata standards and QC for Antarctic observations.
- Italy (CNR‑ISP): Shares diagnostics and monitoring products to ensure synergy between climate monitoring and data management functions.
- Other partners: National meteorological and hydrological services from Argentina, Chile, France, Germany, India, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, South Africa, South Korea and the United States contribute data stewardship and quality control expertise.
These collective efforts ensure that AntRCC data services are robust, transparent and fit for purpose, supporting climate monitoring, forecasting and research across the Antarctic region.
Key Policies & Resources
The table below lists important guidance documents and resources relevant to data management in the AntRCC context. These materials provide policy frameworks, technical specifications and best practices for managing climate data, and form the basis for the node’s procedures and training materials.
| Resource | Purpose / Description | Link |
|---|---|---|
| WMO Climate Data Management Systems (CDMSs) | Explains the importance of long‑term, high‑quality and reliable climate time series; outlines benefits of CDMS, including improved data access and security; highlights the need for quality control and maintainable data models; lists related guidance documents and specifications. | View CDMS |
| World Climate Data & Monitoring Programme (WCDMP) | Describes the priorities of the WCDMP, including guidance to WMO Members on climate data and climate assessment, publication of global climate status reports and fostering high‑quality data sets and exchange; emphasises data rescue, CDMS and training. | View WCDMP |
| WMO RCC Functions & Data Services (RA VI RCC Network) | Lists the mandatory functions of Regional Climate Centres, covering long‑range forecasting, climate monitoring, data services and training; emphasises interpretation and assessment of forecast products, development of regional datasets, archiving services and provision of online access to RCC products. | View RA VI |
| Antarctic RCC Implementation Plan (2025) | Internal AntRCC document defining the network’s nodes and functions. It states that the Data Management node (lead: United Kingdom) is responsible for coordinating the performance of RCC operational data services and supporting partners to publish quality‑controlled datasets via standard WMO methods. |
More about Data Management: WMO RCC Information | AntRCC Data Management Resources
Contributors
Australia, Chile, China, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Russia, South Africa, South Korea, UK, USA, Argentina
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