CIMSS-NOAA Weekly Report
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ASPB AND CIMSS WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE WEEK ENDING MARCH 21, 2003

IN THE PRESS:

ITEMS FOR THE ADMINISTRATOR:

ITEMS FOR THE ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATOR:

ITEMS FOR THE OFFICE DIRECTOR, ORA:

THORPEX Participation: Several scientists from the Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS) participated and supported THe Observing-system Research and predictability experiment (THORpex) in Hawaii.  A dozen flight missions were flown between February 27 and March 15.  Several aircraft missions were dedicated to the evaluation of the performance of the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) instruments flown on the Aqua satellite. There were several flights made in coordination with the NOAA Gulfstream IV for Winter Storms Research Program (WSRP) data assimilation studies.   In support of these objectives, the University of Wisconsin Scanning High Resolution Interferometer Sounder (Scanning-HIS) was flown on the ER-2 high-altitude NASA aircraft. The CIMSS scientists also  provided mission forecasting and flight planning. (S. Ackerman, CIMSS, 608-263-3647)

Applications of the GOES Wildfire ABBA in Mexico and Central America:  The annual agricultural burning season has begun in Mexico and Central America with hundreds of fires burning throughout the region especially in the Yucatan Peninsula.  The Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES-8) Wildfire Automated Biomass Burning Algorithm is documenting the diurnal fire activity and this information is being used in support of a multinational effort to study air pollution in megacities around the globe.  The Integrated Program on Urban, Regional, and Global Air Pollution (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) is focusing initial research efforts on Mexico City including atmospheric modeling, health and risk assessment, and transportation, land-use, and urban development.  The Wildfire ABBA fire product is being used to distinguish between air pollution from urban sources and from biomass burning. (E. Prins, E/RA2, 530-271-2256, C. Schmidt, CIMSS, 608-262-7973)

(Click to enlarge)

Figure caption: This animation shows agricultural burning as detected with the GOES Wildfire ABBA from 17:15 to 20:45 UTC on March 20, 2003

ITEMS FOR THE DIVISION CHIEF, ARAD:

Elementary School Talk on Satellites and Weather: T. Schmit talked to the second grade class at Blessed Sacrament School in Madison, Wisconsin. The talk covered early geostationary imager efforts, differences between the visible, infrared and water vapor bands, and real-time images. Dr. Martin of the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences gave a talk on the current weather. The long lifetime of the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES)-8 was highlighted, in light of the fact that the satellite is older than the kids in the audience! (T. Schmit, E/RA2, 608-263-0291)

SEARCH Proposal Submitted: A proposal was submitted to NOAA's Oceanic and Atmospheric Research office (J. Calder) to support research in the multi-agency Study of Environmental Arctic Change (SEARCH) program.  NOAA funding for SEARCH was recently approved by Congress.  J. Key is leading the atmospheric research element on a retrospective analysis of Arctic clouds and radiation from surface and satellite measurements.  Collaborators include T. Uttal (Environmental Technology Laboratory) and R. Stone (Climate Monitoring and Diagnostics Laboratory and the University of Colorado). (J. Key, E/RA2, 608-263-2605)

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