CIMSS-NOAA Weekly Report
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ASPB AND CIMSS WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE WEEK ENDING SEPTEMBER 1, 2006

IN THE PRESS:

ITEMS FOR THE ADMINISTRATOR:

ITEMS FOR THE ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATOR

ITEMS FOR THE OFFICE DIRECTOR, STAR: 

Special Rapid Scan Imagery from GOES-10: The Space Science and Engineering Center (SSEC) Data Center is acquiring the special rapid scan imagery from Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES)-10, which is being taken while GOES-10 moves to 60 degrees west longitude. These experimental data, being made available by Office of Satellite Operations, will be available through the end of September. While the default scan location is over the center of the United States, special scans of Hurricane Ernesto have been made. The data can be seen at http://www.ssec.wisc.edu/data/g10/ (for the infrared data) or http://www.ssec.wisc.edu/~rabin/goes10/ (for the visible data). These unique GOES-10 datasets are being heavily accessed by a number of other users, included the Environmental Satellite Processing Center (ESPC) in Washington, DC. An animated loop of select 1-min resolution GOES-10 visible data of Ernesto is available at
http://cimss.ssec.wisc.edu/goes/goes10/1min_ernesto_fast.gif.   (T. Schmit, E/RA2, 608-263-0291, tim.j.schmit@noaa.gov, R. Rabin, NSSL, I. Genkova, CIMSS, D. Wade, SSEC, C. Velden, CIMSS, P. Menzel, E/RA2)

World Climate Research Programme Observations and Assimilation Panel Meeting: J. Key attended the second World Climate Research Programme (WCRP) Observations and Assimilation Panel (WOAP) meeting in Ispra, Italy, August 28-30.  The meeting was hosted by the Joint Research Center of the European Commission.  The WOAP consists of representatives from each of the major WCRP projects.  J. Key represents the Climate and Cryosphere (CliC) project.  The objectives of WOAP are to define observational requirements for climate system analysis and prediction, assist in optimization of observational strategies for sustained observation, and to act as a focal point for WCRP interactions with other groups and programmes; to promote and coordinate the synthesis of global observations from the atmosphere, oceans, land and cryosphere; and to promote and coordinate WCRP information and data management activities. (J. Key, E/RA2, 608-263-2605, jeff.key@noaa.gov)

Model Forecast Cloud Images in Local AWIPS: Scientists at the Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS) are using the CIMSS Regional Assimilation System (CRAS) prediction model to generate forecasts of 11 micron images over the CONUS in real time and transferring them to the Advanced Weather Information Processing System (AWIPS) at the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Sullivan, Wisconsin, as part of an experimental satellite products evaluation project.  The real time CRAS uses 3-layer precipitable water and cloud-top pressure retrievals from the GOES sounders to initialize water vapor and clouds prior to each forecast. A recent forecast discussion message from Sullivan stated "FIRST LOOK AT CRAS MODEL SATELLITE IMAGERY IS VERY IMPRESSIVE.  SO MUCH MODEL INFORMATION IS BEING PRESENTED IN ONE IMAGE THAT CAN BE EASILY DIGESTED." Additional products will be added in the near future, such as a forecast 6.7 micron water vapor image and a forecast radar product. (R. Aune, E/RA2, 608-262-1071)

ITEMS FOR THE DIVISION CHIEF, CoRP

GOES-13 Data Available Through Eclipse Period: A comparison of InfraRed channel imagery from the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES-12) and GOES-13 satellites shows the improvement in temporal coverage from GOES-13 during the daily Fall season "eclipse period" (when the GOES satellites are briefly in the Earth's shadow). No data is available from GOES-12 during the 2 hour eclipse period on August 31, but enhanced battery capacity aboard GOES-13 allows continuous monitoring of convective rainbands associated with Tropical Storm Ernesto as they move inland along the Georgia coast. Images and an animation is available on the Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS) Satellite Blog at http://cimss.ssec.wisc.edu/goes/blog/. (S. Bachmeier, CIMSS, 608-263-3958, scottb@ssec.wisc.edu)

VISIT Distance Learning Activities: The software package created at the Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS) that is used for the Virtual Institute for Satellite Integration Training (VISIT) distance learning lessons ("VISITview") was updated to include more consistent handling of linked Hyper-Text Markup Language (HTML) files, support for animated Graphic Interchange Format (GIF) files, and to include an updated version of the Java Runtime Environment in preparation for adding multimedia animation support at a later date. (T. Whittaker, CIMSS, 608-262-2759)

Meeting on Socio-Economic Valuation of GOES-R: On August 29, Sharon K. Bard, of the Centrec Consulting Group visited the Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS).  Centrec is located in Savoy, IL.  A range of products and applications from Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES)-R were discussed. The purpose of each GOES-R series instrument was also discussed. A number of Advanced Satellite Products Branch (ASPB) and CIMSS personnel participated. These topics included hurricanes, air quality, fires, numerical model prediction, aviation safety, etc.   This visit was in support of an effort by Centrec to estimate the socio-economic value of GOES-R data and products for select sectors. (T. Schmit, E/RA2, 608-263-0291, tim.j.schmit@noaa.gov)

Other Meetings and Telecons:
 (None)

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