Meteorological and Related Research comprises Output 1.2, one of the Bureau's four output groups, and is also one of the Bureau's major outputs. Outputs from this group typically include original publications on Australian and global meteorology, hydrology and oceanography in the peer-reviewed scientific literature along with reviews, project reports, conference presentations, and the general build-up of scientific expertise, reputation and influence in the international scientific community; together with published and unpublished contributions to the development and implementation of new and improved applications of meteorology and new operational meteorological and related systems and techniques. Outputs also include effective Australian participation in international research programs directed towards improved understanding of southern hemisphere and Australian meteorology and oceanography.

OUTPUT PERFORMANCE 2003-04 

Output performance is measured against a number of quantity, quality and price targets. The results achieved for 2003-04 are provided below along with a commentary on significant variations.

The number of research groups in BMRC was maintained at six, to keep a balance between activities related to weather and to climate. Initiatives, such as the joint BLUElink project with CSIRO and the Royal Australian Navy on ocean prediction, have led to an increase in the number of staff supported by external funds in some groups. The research component of the Radar Network and Doppler Services Upgrade Project (RNDSUP) has also led to a consolidation of the work on radar-based developments of meteorological techniques.

There is considerable year-to-year variability in the total number of research publications, owing to variations in the lead times to complete work and to finalise publication. One reason for the number of publications being slightly lower than the target of 110 is the accumulation of a back-log of internal BMRC research reports arising partly from a delay associated with a change in format for these reports. The number of collaborative projects also varies from year to year, because the range of projects extends from major collaborations continuing over several years and involving many staff, such as the BLUElink project, to small (but important) projects between individual scientists.

The number of changes in the Bureau's operational systems associated with BMRC research is slightly higher than the target. The difference is mainly due to an increased effort in the development of meteorological techniques in BMRC associated with enhancing the functionality of the Bureau's forecaster workstation, the Australian Integrated Forecast System (AIFS).