ASPB and CIMSS Weekly Report
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ASPB AND CIMSS WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE WEEK ENDING MARCH 22, 2008

IN THE PRESS:

ITEMS FOR THE ADMINISTRATOR:

ITEMS FOR THE ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATOR:

ITEMS FOR THE OFFICE DIRECTOR, STAR:

Additional Satellite Datasets to be Assimilated in NCEP Regional Model: Beginning on March 25, several satellite datasets will be assimilated into the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) North American Mesoscale Model (NAM). These datasets include the clear-sky, single field-of-view Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) Sounder radiances, the clear-sky, spectrally thinned, Atmospheric InfraRed Sounder (AIRS) radiances, and the MODerate-resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) polar winds. (J. Jung, CIMSS, 301-763-8204; T. Schmit, E/RA2, 608-263-0291, tim.j.schmit@noaa.gov; J. Key, E/RA2, 608-263-2605, jkey@ssec.wisc.edu)

Presentation on Real-time Quality Calibration Data Flags: At the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES)-R Ground System Senior Science Staff meeting, a presentation was given on the need for real-time quality control flags. Several examples were shown from current geostationary instruments of when real-time, calibration-related quality flags would be helpful for users and product producers. The presentation is available upon request. (T. Schmit, E/RA2, 608-263-0291, tim.j.schmit@noaa.gov)

ITEMS FOR THE DIVISION CHIEF, CoRP:

CIMSS VISIT Activities: The Virtual Institute for Satellite Integration Training (VISIT) distance learning lesson "Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) Products in Advanced Weather Information Processing System (AWIPS)" (http://cimss.ssec.wisc.edu/goes/visit/modis.html) was offered by staff from the Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS) on March 17, 2008. Forecasters from the National Weather Service (NWS) forecast office at Pendleton, Oregon participated in the VISIT lesson. (S. Bachmeier, CIMSS, 608-263-3958)

MODIS Images Showing River Flooding in the Central US: Moderate resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) "true color" and "false color" images showing widespread river flooding across parts of the central US on March 20, 2008 were posted on the Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS) Satellite Blog (http://cimss.ssec.wisc.edu/goes/blog/archives/628). A comparison with MODIS imagery from about 4 months earlier (November 29, 2007) revealed how large some of the rivers had become due to springtime snowmelt and recent heavy rainfall up to 17 inches of rain was reported in parts of Missouri. An example of the MODIS 2.1 micrometer imagery that is being made available by CIMSS in the National Weather Service (NWS) Advanced Weather Information Processing System (AWIPS) was also shown, which can assist NWS forecasters in determining which rivers and tributaries are experiencing significant flooding. (S. Bachmeier, CIMSS, 608-263-3958, L. Gumley, CIMSS)

  (Click image to enlarge)

Figure caption: A MODIS false color image showing the extent of river flooding across much of the Mississippi River and Ohio River valley regions in the central US on 20 March 2008. This image is a 3-channel Red/Green/Blue (RGB) combination using MODIS band 7 (2.1µm), band 2 (0.8µm), and band 1 (0.7µm).

Other Meetings and Telecons:

None.

VISITORS:

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