Core Facility JOYCE: Jülich ObservatorY for Cloud Evolution

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The Jülich Observatory for Cloud Evolution (JOYCE, http://www.geomet.uni-koeln.de/joyce) has been established in order to provide a better physical understanding of cloud and precipitation formation over heterogeneous terrain. The overall technical objective of JOYCE is to provide long-term, continuous (near-real-time) and quality controlled measurements of clouds and precipitation and the environment in which they evolve. Such long-term observations are of major importance when it comes to evaluating numerical models on global "climate permitting" (~20-50 km), numerical weather prediction (~1-10 km) and smaller spatial and temporal scales. JOYCE is composed of temporally and spatially highly resolved measurements of the atmospheric column by vertically profiling sensors like cloud radars, micro-rain-radars, microwave radiometers or wind lidars together with volume-sensing polarimetric Doppler weather radars. These observations provide the basis for improving cloud parameterizations schemes in atmospheric models. Thus, JOYCE as a DFG-funded core facility follows six major research objectives.1.) Sustainment of standardized observation procedures.In order to make JOYCE observations attractive for various applications, a best possible effort must be undertaken to guarantee continuous and quality controlled observations. Procedures will be defined to ensure continuous highest-quality observations, minimize data loss, and to provide an automatic quality control and documentation2.) Ensure and document automated data life cycle.The definition of a data life cycle will govern which and how the raw observational data is transformed to atmospheric variables and how, when and where they are stored and made available via database access.3.) Regulate access to JOYCE central facility and X-band radarsThis objective will regulate access to the available instruments for performing dedicated observational experiments. Additionally, a sequence for installing new instruments will be defined. 4.) Regulate access to JOYCE observational data base.A data policy will be developed on which users and when will be able to obtain JOYCE-CF data and under which conditions. 5.) Create a center for best practices. A "reference center" for passive microwave remote sensing observations and polarimetric X-band radar calibration/validation will be set-up. Workshops and measurement campaigns will be carried out 6.) Create a website and offer outreach.A JOYCE-CF website will be conceived containing all relevant information for instrument operators and users. Outreach activities will be organized in collaboration with the scientists actively contributing to JOYCE-CF. We will offer seminars to all interested scientists as well as schools in form of workshops, seminars and site tours