Bureau welcomes release of Technical Advisory Forum report

08/09/2017

The Bureau of Meteorology welcomes the Technical Advisory Forum’s third and final report on the operation of the Australian Climate Observations Reference Network – Surface Air Temperature (ACORN-SAT) dataset.

The Forum once again found the dataset to be well maintained and an important source of information on Australian climate records.

The Forum has again noted the importance of adjusting data through the process of homogenisation to maintain a meaningful and consistent set of temperature records over time. It is necessary to remove influences from changes in site location, instruments or observing practices or other non-climate factors.

The Forum was set up for a three-year term to further enhance the quality and value of the ACORN-SAT dataset. The Forum was a recommendation of an independent peer review in 2011 which noted that the Bureau's practices are among the best in the world. The final report of the Technical Advisory Forum can be viewed here www.bom.gov.au/climate/change/acorn-sat/documents/2017_TAF_Report.pdf

The Bureau is carefully considering the Forum's report and will shortly release a formal response to its recommendations.

The Bureau is committed to ensuring its practices remain among the best in the world. Recognising the valuable assurance role the Forum has played, the Bureau plans to commission a new independent panel to provide ongoing, independent oversight of the ACORN-SAT dataset. Work to set up new arrangements is currently underway.

The Bureau extends its thanks to the Forum for the recommendations they have provided over the past three years, and wishes to acknowledge the secretariat support provided by the Department of the Environment and Energy.