ASPB and CIMSS Weekly Report
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ASPB AND CIMSS WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE WEEK ENDING APRIL 13, 2007

IN THE PRESS:

ITEMS FOR THE ADMINISTRATOR:

ITEMS FOR THE ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATOR:

ITEMS FOR THE OFFICE DIRECTOR, STAR:

Satellite Data Assimilation Activities at CIMSS: The CIMSS Regional Assimilation System (CRAS) model, developed at the Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS), University of Wisconsin, is being used to generate forecasts of 11 micron and 6.7 micron imagery for the National Weather Service (NWS) Advanced Weather Interactive Processing System (AWIPS) and are now available from the NWS Eastern, Western and Central Region AWIPS servers. The CRAS is unique in that it uses Cloud-Top Pressure (CTP) and Effective Cloud Amount (ECA) from the GOES sounders to initialize water vapor and clouds. NWS Forecast Discussions (FDs) frequently reference the CRAS forecast imagery and have been known to adjust forecast parameters based on CRAS predictions. In addition, the CRAS is currently being used to predict cloud cover for the Joint Airborne IASI Validation Experiment(JAIVEx), a campaign being conducted in Houston, TX to calibrate and validate radiance observations and products from the Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer (IASI) (see http://cimss.ssec.wisc.edu/jaivex/). (R. Aune, E/RA2, 608-262-1071, robert.aune@noaa.gov)

ITEMS FOR THE DIVISION CHIEF, CoRP:

VOAT Meeting: A. Heidinger attended and co-chaired the latest meeting of the VIIRS Operational Algorithm Team (VOAT). The Visible and Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) appears to suffer from cross-talk in the shortwave bands. The meeting focused on the causes, impacts and potential mitigation of the cross-talk on VIIRS. Other issues discussed included the recent modifications to the specifications for NPOESS/VIIRS products. (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 final approval at the upcoming IGOS Partners and Committee on Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS) Strategic Implementation Team (SIT) meetings in Paris, France, May 29-30. 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 approximately 80 cryospheric scientists from 17 countries. 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 report and additional information is available at http://igos-cryosphere.org. B. Smith, NESDIS International Affairs, will be at the CEOS and IGOS meetings. Mary Kicza will become the CEOS SIT chair in November. CEOS is an IGOS Partner. (J. Key, E/RA2, 608-263-2605, jeff.key@noaa.gov)

Other Meetings and Telecons:

None.

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