The impact of the FGGE observing systems in the Southern Hemisphere

Results of studies carried out at the Australian Numerical Meteorology Research Centre (ANMRC) and the Australian Bureau of Meteorology to assess the impact of FGGE on numerical weather prediction in the Southern Hemisphere are presented. These studies inducate that the FGGE data base had a significant impact on analysis and numerical weather prediction. From the operational standpoint, the most outstanding contribution was made by the drifting buoy data that enabled reliable routine surface pressure analyses to be made over the entire hemisphere. The results of a limited study using the MNMRC data assimilation scheme show that the quality of prediction to 48 hours hinges crucially on both the buoy pressure data and satellite temperature soundings with single level satellite winds having a small impact.