ASPB and CIMSS Weekly Report
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ASPB AND CIMSS WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 20, 2008

IN THE PRESS:

ITEMS FOR THE ADMINISTRATOR:

ITEMS FOR THE ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATOR:

ITEMS FOR THE OFFICE DIRECTOR, STAR:

AVHRR Winds Declared Operational: NOAA/NESDIS declared the Advanced Very High Resolution (AVHRR) polar winds data products operational and available to its users at the Environmental Satellite Processing Center (ESPC) on December 17, 2008. AVHRR polar winds use NOAA-15, -16, -17 and -18 Global Area Coverage (GAC) data to generate cloud-track atmospheric wind vectors over the Arctic and Antarctic. With four satellites, the product has excellent temporal sampling and additional data coverage versus MODIS polar wind products. (J. Key, E/RA2, 608-263-2605, jkey@ssec.wisc.edu; H. Qi, 301-763-8142, Hongming.Qi@noaa.gov; D. Santek, CIMSS, 608-263-7410; J. Daniels, E/RA2; C. Velden, CIMSS, 608-262-9168)

GOES-R Aviation Algorithm CDR: The GOES-R Algorithm Working Group (AWG) Aviation Team Critical Design Review (CDR) was held in Camp Springs, MD on December 11, 2008. Mike Pavolonis (NOAA/NESDIS) presented the algorithm theoretical basis for the volcanic ash, fog, and sulfur dioxide requirements. Other Aviation Team members in attendance included Co-chairs Ken Pryor (NOAA/NESDIS) and Wayne Feltz (Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies, CIMSS). The CDR's were successfully conducted and milestones were achieved with GOES-R AWG algorithm development phase. The turbulence requirement CDR was delayed until January. An Algorithm Design Review for final group of aviation requirements was conducted on Friday December 12 for convective overshooting-top (presented by Kristopher Bedka, CIMSS), convective initiation, and visibility (conducted by Brad Pierce, ASPB). The ADR review was successful and the final three requirements have been moved forward to Critical Design Review phase. (M. Pavolonis, E/RA2, 608-263-9597, Mike.Pavolonis@noaa.gov; W. Feltz, CIMSS, 608-265-6283; K. Bedka, CIMSS, 608-265-0854; R.B. Pierce, E/RA2, 608-890-1892, brad.pierce@ssec.wisc.edu)

Meeting with the GAO regarding geostationary sounders: T. Schmit, via a telecon, was part of a group from the Center for Satellite Applications and Research (STAR) and the Office of Satellite Data Processing and Distribution (OSDPD) that met with the Government Accountability Office (GAO). The main issue addressed was how the Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI), combined with short-term model forecasts, can provide legacy sounder continuity. (T. Schmit, E/RA2, 608-263-0291, tim.j.schmit@noaa.gov)

ITEMS FOR THE DIVISION CHIEF, CoRP:

New Radiative Transfer Model Coefficients Supplied to NESDIS: Two new sets (42 and 101-level) of Geostationary Operational Environment Satellite (GOES) radiative transfer model coefficient files have been transferred from the Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS) to the NESDIS Advanced Satellite Products Branch (ASPB). The new files contain updated coefficients for the GOES-10, -11, -12 and -13 Sounder and Imager instruments, as well as the initial coefficients for the GOES-O and -P satellites. Furthermore, an updated spectral response function was used to compute the coefficients for Imager band 6 (13.3um) on GOES-13. (J. Nelson, CIMSS, 608-263-6013, M. Gunshor, CIMSS, 608-263-1146, H. Woolf, CIMSS, 608-262-0986, T. Schmit, E/RA2, 608-263-0291, tim.j.schmit@noaa.gov)

CIMSS VISIT Activities: The Virtual Institute for Satellite Integration Training (VISIT) distance learning lessons "Interpreting Satellite Signatures" (http://rammb.cira.colostate.edu/visit/sat_signatures.html), "Water Vapor Imagery and Potential Vorticity Analysis" (http://cimss.ssec.wisc.edu/goes/visit/wv_pv.html), and "Trough of Warm Air Aloft (TROWAL) Identification" (http://rammb.cira.colostate.edu/visit/trowal.html) were led by staff from the Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS) on December 15, 16, and 19, 2008. Staff from five National Weather Service (NWS) forecast offices (Riverton, Wyoming; Lubbock, Texas; Jackson, Kentucky; Marquette, Michigan; Bismarck, North Dakota) participated in the VISIT lessons. In addition, the CIMSS Satellite Blog (http://cimss.ssec.wisc.edu/goes/blog/) was updated with Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) and Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) imagery showing a significant snowfall event in the Desert Southwest of the United States, and also lake-effect cloud plumes in Montana and North Dakota. (S. Bachmeier, CIMSS, 608-263-3958, S. Lindstrom, CIMSS, 608-263-4425)

VISITORS:

Visitors from the University of Maryland Center for Innovation: Battling both below zero (F) temperatures and a snowstorm, sociologists Jonathon E. Mote and Jerry Hage from the Center for Innovation at the University of Maryland, College Park visited the Advanced Satellite Products Branch (ASPB). Their goal was to better understand the potential socioeconomic benefits proved by a high-spectral resolution infrared sensor in a geostationary orbit. Several ASPB and Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS) scientists were interviewed. (T. Schmit, E/RA2, 608-263-0291, tim.j.schmit@noaa.gov)

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