 |
ASPB and CIMSS Weekly Report
[ Archive ] |
 |
ASPB AND CIMSS WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE WEEK ENDING OCTOBER 20, 2007
IN THE PRESS:
ITEMS FOR THE ADMINISTRATOR:
ITEMS FOR THE ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATOR:
ITEMS FOR THE OFFICE DIRECTOR, STAR:
Note Published on Low-Level Cloud Detection via the GOES Sounder Near Sunrise: A
note titled "A multispectral technique for detecting low-level
cloudiness near sunrise" was published in the October 2007 issue of the
Journal of Atmospheric and Oceanic Technology (Vol 24,
1800-1810pp). The note focuses on utilizing the brightness temperature
differences between the shortwave and longwave infrared windows (3.7
micrometers and 11.0 micrometers, respectively) to detect low level
clouds immediately following sunrise. The co-authors are A. Schreiner,
S. Ackerman, B. Baum (Cooperative Institute for Meteorological
Satellite Studies, CIMSS), and A. Heidinger (Center for Satellite
Applications and Research, STAR). (T. Schreiner, CIMSS, 608-263-6754,
S. Ackerman, CIMSS, 608-263-3647, B. Baum, CIMSS, 608-263-3898, and A.
Heidinger, STAR, 608-263-6757)
CRAS Model Assimilates MODIS Products over China: The
numerical prediction model used at the Cooperative Institute for
Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS), the CIMSS Regional
Assimilation System (CRAS), is now generating 72-hour forecasts for
China and the surrounding region in real time. Total precipitable water
and cloud information, generated from the Moderate Resolution Imaging
Spectroradiometer (MODIS), are used to initialize water vapor and
clouds in the CRAS. This experimental CRAS forecast was created to
enhance remote sensing collaborations with the Chinese National
Satellite Meteorological Center with the goal of eventually assessing
the impact of data from China's FenYung (FY) satellites in numerical weather
prediction. Forecasts can be viewed on the web at http://cimss.ssec.wisc.edu/model/realtime/cras48_CH/daily.html. (R. Aune, E/RA2, 608-262-1071, robert.aune@noaa.gov)
ITEMS FOR THE DIVISION CHIEF, CoRP:
GOES-R Legacy Profile Algorithm/Software for SEVIRI Delivered to GOES-R AIT: The Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS) GOES-R Algorithm Working Group (AWG) legacy profile version 2.0 algorithm/software for Spinning Enhanced Visible and InfraRed Imager (SEVIRI) data process was released to GEOCAT and Algorithm Integration Team (AIT) for implementation. The version 2.0 software is based on the physical iterative retrieval algorithm. (Jun Li, 608-262-3755)
ABI WF_ABBA First Delivery to GOES-R AIT: The Wildfire Automated Biomass Burning Algorithm (WF_ABBA), which has been used operationally to find and characterize fires in Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) since 2002, was successfully transitioned to Geocat and delivered to the GOES-R Algorithm Implementation Team (AIT). The transition of the WF_ABBA from the Man computer Interactive Data Access System (McIDAS) to Geocat represents a substantial step in preparing the WF_ABBA for GOES-R and the processing framework that the AIT will be developing. (C. Schmidt, CIMSS, 608-262-7973, G. Martin, SSEC, 608-263-6794, M. Pavolonis, E/RA2, 608-263-9597)
Radiance Validation Article in GSICS Newsletter: An article summarizing CIMSS/SSEC aircraft based satellite radiance valdiation efforts is featured in the October 2007 Global Space-Based Inter-Calibration System (GSICS) newsletter (http://www.orbit.nesdis.noaa.gov/smcd/spb/calibration/icvs/GSICS/index.html
http://www.orbit.nesdis.noaa.gov/smcd/spb/calibration/icvs/GSICS/index.html). The Scanning High-resolution Interferoemter Sounder (S-HIS) and the NPOESS Airborne Sounder Testbed Interferometer (NAST-I) are providing high accuracy NIST traceable radiance benchmark observations which are being incorportated into various GSICS investigations. (D. Tobin, CIMSS/SSEC, 608-265-6281)
Participation in ASTC Conference in Los Angeles: Rick Kohrs, Space Science and Engineering Center (SSEC), attended the Annual meeting of the Association of Science-Technology Centers, which included two Science on a Sphere (SOS) meetings. These meetings provided information about updates to the software that drives the sphere, a new content repository and upcoming funding opportunities. In the very near future, the University of Wisconsin will be purchasing a smaller sphere to complement their existing education and outreach programs. The exhibit hall provided an excellent opportunity to evaluate these smaller spheres.
Talks at the conference provided insight into how data can be used to further the pursuit of NOAA's education literacy programs.
(R. Kohrs, SSEC)
2007 McIDAS Users’ Group Meeting: T. Schmit
and G. Wade attended the 2007 Man computer Interactive Data Access
System (McIDAS) Users' Group meeting that was held October 16-18 in
Madison, WI. There are many exciting plans to enhance the applications
in this next generation of McIDAS. This includes 3-D displays and
high-spectral measurements. T. Schmit gave a presentation on Future
Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES). Topic
included: GOES-10, eXtended GOES High-Inclination (XGOHI) operations,
GOES-O, and GOES-R. The presentation will be available, along with the
other presentations at: http://www.ssec.wisc.edu/mcidas/mug_meeting/2007/ (T. Schmit, E/RA2, 608-263-0291, tim.j.schmit@noaa.gov, G.S. Wade, E/RA2, 608-263-4743, gary.s.wade@noaa.gov)
CIMSS VISIT Activities: Three Virtual
Institute for Satellite Integration Training (VISIT) distance learning
lessons - "The Enhanced-V: A Satellite Severe Storm Signature", "Basic
Satellite Principles", and "Moderate resolution Imaging
Spectroradiometer (MODIS) Products in Advanced Weather Interactive
Processing System (AWIPS) - were presented by staff from the
Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS) on
October 15, 16, and 19, respectively. Forecasters from NOAAs National
Weather Service (NWS) forecast offices in Jackson (Kentucky),
Charleston (West Virginia), and Midland and Amarillo (Texas)
participated in the VISIT lessons. (S. Bachmeier, CIMSS, 608-263-3958,
S. Lindstrom, CIMSS, 608-263-4425)
Tropical Prediction Center Seminar at CIMSS: Chris Sisko, a support scientist from the NOAA Tropical Prediction Center (TPC), visited the CIMSS Tropical Cyclone Group and gave a seminar on "An Overview of the National Hurricane Center (NHC) Forecast Operations." The seminar highlighted TPC/NHC's ongoing efforts to work with other government agencies and the research community to improve forecasts and enhance communication of forecast uncertainty to the external users. The presentation showed that the Hurricane Warning program requires a large team effort and highlighted the role of the scientific community in moving this critical program forward. Information on the future direction of NHC in terms of improvements to satellite analysis capabilities, hurricane modeling and greater emphasis on the societal impacts of their products was discussed. To date, there are several key areas of the hurricane program that NOAA is aggressively addressing by developing new Hurricane Forecast Improvement Plans and by continuing partnerships with the public and private sectors. (C. Velden, CIMSS, 608-262-9168)
Other Meetings and Telecons:
None.
VISITORS:
EUMETSAT Visitors: Marianne Koenig and
Volker Gaertner, both from the EUropean organization for the
exploitation of METeorological SATellites (EUMETSAT) visited
Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS) and
the Advanced Satellite Products Branch (ASPB). Discussions ranged from
nowcasting collaborations to the Geostationary Operational
Environmental Satellite (GOES)-R status. (T. Schmit, E/RA2,
608-263-0291, tim.j.schmit@noaa.gov, W. Feltz, CIMSS, 608-265-6283)
NEXT WEEK:
LOOKING AHEAD: