Role and Objectives of BMRC

Research in the Bureau

The Bureau of Meteorology Research Centre (BMRC) is the research division of the National Meteorological Service in Australia.  The research in BMRC is carried out by six groups covering the areas of model development, data assimilation, model evaluation, weather forecasting, climate forecasting, and ocean and marine forecasting. The work of each group contributes to the advancement of meteorological and oceanographic science and to the enhancement of the operations and services of the Bureau.

The Bureau of Meteorology has a responsibility, arising in part from Australia's international obligations, to provide forecasts, warnings and meteorological information over an area covering about 12% of the globe and extending from the tropics to Antarctica. This task is made more difficult by the unique meteorological problems arising from Australia's relatively isolated location in the southern hemisphere. The Bureau must devote a large fraction of its resources to the maintenance of basic systems (observation networks, communications systems) for its large area of responsibility which puts it at a significant disadvantage compared with smaller or more populous countries. A major purpose of research in BMRC is to minimise the effects of these practical and budgetary constraints on the standard of meteorological service provided for Australia.

Research needs of the Bureau extend across the spectrum from applied to strategic and pure research. Although applied research is a primary rationale for BMRCs work, more fundamental research is essential to provide the scientific knowledge base that is the foundation for solving practical problems and for developing operational systems.

BMRC focuses on major areas of long-term significance to the Bureau where research is not likely to be conducted effectively by other organisations, national or international. Thus the focus has been on aspects relevant to the Australasian region in the fields of numerical modelling, long-range forecasting, tropical meteorology and meteorological observing systems.

BMRC was established in 1985 as an essentially self-contained research division, with administrative, professional and technical staff to support the research activities. The Centre also draws on the central corporate resources of the Bureau, where it is appropriate. In particular, BMRC is a major user of the central supercomputing and archive facilities of the Bureau.

The structure of BMRC is flexible so that it can evolve with the strategic requirements and resources of the Bureau. At present there are six research groups, supported by an administration group and a scientific services group. Through the collaborative programs with Australian universities, a number of post-graduate students are associated with the research groups. There is also an active visitors program, which supports extended visits by scientists from collaborating institutes.

Research Objectives of BMRC

Given the research requirements of the Bureau, the objectives of BMRC can be summarized as:

• to advance the science of meteorology with particular emphasis on the southern hemisphere and the Australasian region, and
• to support the operations and services of the Bureau of Meteorology through the development of major systems and the provision of scientific advice.
• to advance the national interest through meteorological and oceanographic research.

Operational Systems Development

The development of major operational systems occurs incrementally over many years. The ongoing interaction between researchers and operational units is essential to ensure that the research remains focused on the operational problems. This is particularly evident in numerical weather prediction where the systems used operationally in the Bureau have been developed over the last 30 years. The close interaction necessary would be impossible to achieve if the research were not conducted in-house.

Research carried out by BMRC is aimed not only at satisfying the direct operational needs of the Bureau, but also at promoting its general scientific health. It is recognised by many organisations that a significant research effort tends to attract high quality staff who influence the whole organisation. A research division is a ready source of scientific knowledge and advice. The pursuit of scientific excellence, as appropriate to its mission, allows the Bureau to interact effectively with the scientific community, both in Australia and overseas.

External Interactions

The strong scientific base provided through BMRC is essential for the Bureau to play an appropriate role in the global meteorological community and, in particular, to maintain Australia's standing as the leading member of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) in the southern hemisphere.

BMRC has close ties with CSIRO and the universities. There is a formal agreement between the Bureau and CSIRO, arising from the 1981 Review of Commonwealth Functions, that delineates the role of each organisation in Australian meteorological research. On the basis of this agreement there are many cooperative projects between BMRC and CSIRO, particularly the Divisions of Atmospheric Research and Marine Research.

Interaction with the universities is a vitally important component of BMRC activities and provides additional intellectual stimulus through exposure to academic staff and students. The interaction provides university students with opportunities to consider a wider range of research projects than would otherwise be available and gives them access to additional resources and expertise.

The Bureau continues to be substantially involved in the Cooperative Research Centre program of the Commonwealth Government. For example, BMRC is collaborating with the CRC for Catchment Hydrology in the development of a routine system to analyse and predict the water budget across the Murray-Darling River Basin.

Meteorology is by its nature an international activity and BMRC has developed substantial links with overseas research groups. These ties are maintained through an active exchange program, bringing overseas scientists to Australia and sending BMRC scientists overseas. These visits are of mutual benefit and funding is shared between BMRC and the overseas organisations involved.