ASPB and CIMSS Weekly Report
[ Archive ]
ASPB AND CIMSS WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 17, 2007

IN THE PRESS:

ITEMS FOR THE ADMINISTRATOR:

ITEMS FOR THE ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATOR:

1st IPY Workshop on Sustaining Arctic Observing Networks: The First International Polar Year (IPY) Workshop on Sustaining Arctic Observing Networks (SAON) was held in Stockholm, Sweden. J. Key (NESDIS/STAR) participated in the workshop. The meeting was sponsored by the Swedish Research Council. This was the first of three workshops; the second will take place in Canada next Spring, and the third will be held in Helsinki about a year from now. The overall goal of the workshops is to improve coordination and promote sustained, integrated arctic observing networks that provide free, open and timely access to high quality data that realize broad societal benefits throughout the Arctic and around the world. This first workshop was comprised of plenary session presentations and breakout group discussions. Sweden’s Crown Princess Victoria welcomed the 100 or so participants, after which presentations were given on a variety of Arctic observing networks. Breakout sessions were formed to further discuss existing observations, gaps, and how to sustain observations beyond the IPY. (J. Key, E/RA2, 608-263-2605, jkey@ssec.wisc.edu)

Significance:
The need for well-coordinated and sustained international arctic observing networks that meet scientific and societal needs has been identified by the Arctic Council, in which the U.S. Department of State and NOAA play an important role. The First IPY Workshop on Sustaining Arctic Observing Networks (SAON) was organized in response to this need. The workshop objectives are directly related to the Integrated Global Observing Strategy (IGOS) Cryosphere Theme, which NESDIS leads. IGOS is now transitioning its themes to the Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS), which is overseen by the Group on Earth Observations (GEO). NOAA plays a leading role in GEO.

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

U.S. Navy Begins Using AVHRR Polar Winds in Operational Forecast Model: The U.S. Navy's Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center (FNMOC) began assimilating an experimental Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) polar winds product in their operational weather forecast system this week. The product is generated at the Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS) with AVHRR data from four NOAA satellites (NOAA-15, -16, -17, and -18) and from MetOp. The UK Met Office is testing the AVHRR winds in their experimental system. The Joint Center for Satellite Data Assimilation (JCSDA) and the European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) will begin testing the AVHRR winds in the near future. The AVHRR winds from NOAA satellites will become a NESDIS operational product in the first half of 2008. The MetOp AVHRR winds will go operational in early 2009. (J. Key, E/RA2, 608-263-2605, jkey@ssec.wisc.edu; D. Santek, CIMSS, 608-263-7410; C. Velden, CIMSS, 608-262-9168)

Significance:
At least ten numerical weather prediction centers have demonstrated that satellite-derived polar winds have a positive impact on weather forecasts not only within the polar regions, but also in the extratropics.  The operational use of the AVHRR wind data further demonstrates the utility of the polar winds product suite.

NOAA Mission Goal:
Serve society's needs for weather and water information.

NOAA Cross-Cutting Priorities:
Sound, Reliable State-of-the-Art Research

ITEMS FOR THE OFFICE DIRECTOR, STAR:

MIMIC appears on The Weather Channel: The Weather Channel used the MIMIC product (Morphed Integrated Microwave Imagery at the Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies) extensively this week to show the structure of Cyclone Sidr as a concrete way to present the urgency of the situation for the coast of Bangladesh. MIMIC was one of the few tools available to provide a comprehensive picture of the system.

  (Click image to enlarge)

Figure caption: Steve Lyons demonstrating the MIMIC product for Cyclone Sidr (2007)

Outreach with the Weather Guys: The publication Wisconsin Week (http://www.wisconsinidea.wisc.edu/profiles/WeatherGuys/) has a story on Steve Ackerman and Jon Martin - the "Weather Guys". For 10 years the "weather guys" have been regular monthly guests on a live call-in show on Wisconsin Public Radio. Ackerman and Martin mention NOAA and the positive contributions it makes to society whenever they can. Ackerman is the director of the Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies; Martin is the chair of the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences department. (S. Ackerman, CIMSS, 608-263-3647)

ITEMS FOR THE DIVISION CHIEF, CoRP:

NASA Proposal Funded for Cloud Research: NASA awarded a proposal written by Andrew Heidinger, Michael Pavolonis and Bryan Baum. This effort will fund the development of infrared cloud microphysical products from the NASA Moderate Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS). The period of performance is three years. (A. Heidinger, E/RA2, 608-263-6757, andrew.heidinger@noaa.gov; M. Pavolonis, E/RA2, 608-263-9597, mpav@ssec.wisc.edu; B. Baum, CIMSS, 608-263-3898 )

CIMSS VISIT Activities: The Virtual Institute for Satellite Integration Training (VISIT) distance learning lesson "Water Vapor Imagery and Potential Vorticity Analysis" was given by staff from the Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS) on November 14, 2007. Twenty-six forecasters from eight separate National Weather Service (NWS) forecast offices (Cleveland, Ohio; Spokane, Washington; Cheyenne, Wyoming; North Platte, Nebraska; Glasgow, Montana; Little Rock, Arkansas; Reno, Nevada; Saint Louis, Missouri) participated in the VISIT lesson. (S. Bachmeier, CIMSS, 608-263-3958)

Seminar Given at the University of Wisconsin: Mike Pavolonis (NOAA/NESDIS) gave a presentation entitled "Infrared Remote Sensing of Clouds and Volcanic Ash Using Cloud Emissivity Spectra" at the University of Wisconsin's Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences. The talk focused on the cloud phase and volcanic ash detection algorithms developed for the next generation Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES-R) Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI). The presentation is available upon request. (M. Pavolonis, E/RA2, 608-263-9597, Mike.Pavolonis@noaa.gov)

Other Meetings and Telecons:

None.

VISITORS:

NEXT WEEK:

LOOKING AHEAD:


Archived Weeklies Page Submit a report item