CIMSS-NOAA Weekly Report
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ASPB AND CIMSS WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 3, 2006

IN THE PRESS:

ITEMS FOR THE ADMINISTRATOR:

One NOAA VISIT Team Promoted Internationally Through WMO High Profile Training Event: In what is described as a huge success internationally for training on the use of data and products from meteorological and environmental satellites, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) estimates that over 4000 participants from 100 member countries around the globe took part in lectures and weather briefings via the Internet during the High Profile Training Event (HPTE) conducted October 16-27 (http://www.wmo.ch/news/news.html).  NESDIS partnered with the Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere (CIRA), the Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS), the National Weather Service’s Training Division and International Desk of the National Centers for Environmental Prediction, and the Cooperative Program for Operational Meteorology, Education and Training.  Internationally, NOAA’s Virtual Institute for Satellite Integration Training (VISIT) partnered with the Bureau of Meteorology Training Center in Australia, the WMO Centers of Excellence in Costa Rica, Barbados, Argentina and Brazil, and the European Organization for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites.  The success of the WMO HPTE was made possible by the extensive use of the VISITview software to deliver the presentations and weather briefings in real-time around the globe through the Internet.  

Lectures and weather briefings in the Americas were presented in both Spanish and English.  More information on the event can be found at http://rammb.cira.colostate.edu/training/wmovl/ .  In NOAA’s region of responsibility, the first weather briefing and lecture drew 128 participants from 21 countries. (Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guyana, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Trinidad and Tobago, and Venezuela).  During the 2 week period, it is estimated that a total of 380 participants from the Americas and the Caribbean were trained in the various sessions.  NOAA and its partners came together for a common goal: to better communicate and share information and training materials with the ultimate goal of saving lives and property around the world. (B. Connell, CIRA, Connell@cira.colostate.edu; A. Mostek, NWS; T. Whittaker, CIMSS; M. DeMaria, E/RA2) 
 
Significance:  
The HPTE was held to provide a unique education and training opportunity to WMO Members and to foster communication and collaboration between international organizations.

NOAA Mission Goal: 
This activity supports NOAA’s goal to serve society's needs for weather and water information and the goal to support the Nation's commerce with information for safe, efficient, and environmentally sound transportation.

NOAA Cross-Cutting Priorities:
• Integrated Global Environmental Observation and Data Management System
• Environmental Literacy, Outreach, and Education
• International Cooperation and Collaboration
• GEOSS

Note: The item above might also be submitted by CIRA/RAMMB.

ITEMS FOR THE ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATOR

ITEMS FOR THE OFFICE DIRECTOR, STAR:

Paper on Volcanic Ash Detection Published: A paper titled "A daytime complement to the reverse absorption technique for improved automated detection of volcanic ash" was published in the November issue of the Journal of Atmospheric and Oceanic Technology.  The paper by M. Pavolonis, W. Feltz (Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies, CIMSS), A. Heidinger, and G. Gallina (NOAA/Washington Volcanic Ash Advisory Center, VAAC - Satellite Analysis Branch, SAB) describes a new satellite-based method for detecting volcanic ash that is globally applicable and improves upon current automated methods.  (M. Pavolonis, E/RA2, 608-263-9597, mike.pavolonis@noaa.gov, W. Feltz, CIMSS, 608-265-6283, A. Heidinger, E/RA2, 608-263-6757, andrew.heidinger@noaa.gov)

Integrated Global Observing Strategy Cryosphere Theme Report Submitted: The Integrated Global Observing Strategy (IGOS) Cryosphere Theme, led by J. Key, submitted its draft report for consideration at the upcoming IGOS Partners and Committee on Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS) meetings in Buenos Aires, November 13-15. The report proposes an integrated observational strategy for snow, sea ice, freshwater ice, permafrost and seasonally frozen land, glaciers, ice sheets, ice caps, and solid precipitation using satellites, airborne, and in situ measurements. The report was compiled based on input from cryospheric scientists around the world.  Over the last two years, workshops were held in Canada, Japan, and the Netherlands to discuss observations capabilities and requirements, recommendations, and implementation actions. The next step is a public review of the document over the next two months, after which the report will be printed and the implementation phase will begin. The report and additional information is available at http://stratus.ssec.wisc.edu/cryos. G. Withee and B. Smith, NESDIS, will be at the CEOS meeting. (J. Key, E/RA2, 608-263-2605, jeff.key@noaa.gov)

ITEMS FOR THE DIVISION CHIEF, CoRP

New "MODIS Products in AWIPS" VISIT Lesson: A new Virtual Institute for Satellite Integration Training (VISIT) distance learning lesson "Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) Products in Advanced Weather Information Processing System (AWIPS)" was presented to 18 National Weather Service (NWS) staff (located at 5 separate NWS forecast offices) on November 1, 2006. This lesson describes the polar-orbiting MODIS imagery and products that have recently been added to the NWS Central and Southern Region AWIPS servers, and demonstrates the unique operational utility of these new satellite products (http://cimss.ssec.wisc.edu/goes/visit/modis.html). (S. Bachmeier, CIMSS, 608-263-3958)

Poster Submitted for the 3rd Future National Operational Satellites Symposium: A poster entitled "The Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES)-R Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI) and continuation of GOES-N class sounder products" was submitted for the upcoming American Meteorological Society (AMS) annual meeting in January. The authors are T. J. Schmit, J. J. Gurka (GOES-R Program Office), J. Li and K. Schrab, NOAA/ National Weather Service (NWS), Office of Science and Technology. (T. Schmit, E/RA2, 608-263-0291, tim.j.schmit@noaa.gov)

Other Meetings and Telecons:
 (None)

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