CIMSS-NOAA Weekly Report
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ASPB AND CIMSS WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE WEEK ENDING APRIL 28, 2006

IN THE PRESS:

ITEMS FOR THE ADMINISTRATOR:

ITEMS FOR THE ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATOR:

Second Integrated Global Observing Strategy Cryosphere Workshop: The second Integrated Global Observing Strategy (IGOS) Cryosphere Theme Workshop was held April 24-25, 2006, in Yokohama, Japan. The workshop brought together representatives from research institutions and government agencies to work on the identification of the major issues regarding a common and integrated observational strategy for snow and ice cover, permafrost and seasonally frozen land, glaciers, ice sheets, and ice caps, and solid precipitation. It was hosted by the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC) and sponsored by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). J. Key (Office of Research and Applications) is the lead on the IGOS Cryosphere Theme and organized the workshop.  A third IGOS Cryosphere workshop will be held in the United Kingdom later this year. (J. Key, E/RA2, 608-263-2605, jeff.key@noaa.gov)

Significance:
The Group on Earth Observations (GEO) Framework Document, 2004, states that the design approach for the Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS) builds on existing systems and data, as well as existing documentation describing observational needs in these areas.  The IGOS Theme Reports play a primary role in this regard, as indicated in the GEO 2005 10-Year GEOSS implementation plan: "An integrated observation strategy (i.e. one that is coordinated, co-designed and shares data) is both more effective and more efficient than stand-alone strategies. This principle is exemplified by the work of the Integrated Global Observing Strategy Partnership (IGOS-P)".  The IGOS Cryosphere Theme will help define an integrated, coordinated, global observing strategy for the cryosphere.  The GEOSS implementation plan reference document further recommends to "Support implementation of actions called for in GCOS Implementation Plan and the relevant IGOS-P Theme Reports". Vice Admiral (Ret.) Lautenbacher is a GEO co-chair.

NOAA Mission Goal:
Understand Climate Variability and Change to Enhance Society's Ability to Plan and Respond
Serve Society's Needs for Weather and Water Information
Support the Nation's Commerce with Information for Safe, Efficient, and Environmentally Sound Transportation

NOAA Cross-Cutting Priorities:
Sound, Reliable State-of-the-Art Research
Integrating Global Environmental Observations and Data Management

ITEMS FOR THE OFFICE DIRECTOR, STAR:

International Winds Workshop: The 8th International Winds Workshop was held in Beijing, China during the week of April 24-28, 2006. It was sponsored by the China Meteorological Administration (CMA) and EUMETSAT. The workshop was attended by scientists from the international satellite and data assimilation communities. Chris Velden (Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies, CIMSS) was a co-organizer. Other CIMSS scientists in attendance included Howard Berger, Iliana Genkova, Steve Wanzong, and Feng Lu. J. Key participated in the last two days of the workshop and gave two presenations.  (J. Key, E/RA2, 608-263-2605, jeff.key@noaa.gov, C. Velden, CIMSS, 608-262-9168)

Workshop on Advanced the High Spectral Resolution Infrared Observations: A. Heidinger, M. Pavolonis and T. Schmit attended the Advanced High Spectral Resolution Infrared Observations workshop  held in Madison, WI, April 26-28. This meeting is a sub-group of the International TIROS Operational Vertical Sounder (TOVS) working group. Topics covered during the international workshop included forward modeling, information content, the Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer (IASI) and geostationary sounders. (T. Schmit, E/RA2, 608-263-0291, tim.j.schmit@noaa.gov)

ITEMS FOR THE DIVISION CHIEF, CoRP

CIMSS Graduate Student Wins Best Thesis Award:  Amato Evan, a graduate student at the University of Wisconsin Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences(AOS), won an annual award for the best M.S. thesis from the AOS department.  Amatoe Evan's research advisor was Andrew Heidinger of the NOAA/NESDIS/STAR Advanced Satellite Products Branch and his academic advisor was Professor Steve Ackerman, the director of the Cooperative Institute for Meteorlogical Satellite Studies (CIMSS).  Amato's research dealt with using data from NOAA's Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) to derive a climatology of Saharan Dust. (A. Heidinger, E/RA2, 608-263-6757, andrew.heidinger@noaa.gov)

CIMSS Provides Realtime GOES Weighting Functions Over CONUS: Researchers at the Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS) created a real-time web page displaying weighting functions for the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) Imager (all infrared bands) and Sounder (water vapor infrared bands).  The weighting functions are calculated using the Pressure-Layer Fast Algorithm for Atmospheric Transmittances fast forward model on atmospheric profiles derived from radiosondes at stations across the Continental United States (CONUS).  The interactive web page updates twice a day with 00 UTC and 12 UTC radiosonde data and weighting function plots are available for four days.  http://cimss.ssec.wisc.edu/goes/wf.  (M. Gunshor, CIMSS, 608-263-1146, S. Bachmeier, CIMSS, 608-263-3958, T. Schmit, E/RA2, 608-263-0291, tim.j.schmit@noaa.gov)

Other Meetings and Telecons:
 (None)

VISITORS:

NEXT WEEK:  

Advanced Satellite Product Branch (ASPB) members to attend the GOES Users' Conference: Several members of the Advanced Satellite Product Branch (ASPB) will attend the Fourth Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) Users' Conference which is to be held in Broomfield, CO, May 1-3. Roles of various members include being on the program committee, oral or poster presentations, being co-technical leads for the breakout sessions or being session co-chair. (T. Schmit, E/RA2, 608-263-0291, tim.j.schmit@noaa.gov)

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