ASPB and CIMSS Weekly Report [ Archive ]

IN THE PRESS:

ITEMS FOR THE ADMINISTRATOR:

ITEMS FOR THE ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATOR:

ITEMS FOR THE OFFICE DIRECTOR, STAR:

Fog Field Experiment: J. Gurka (NOAA/NESDIS/OSD), M. Pavolonis (NOAA/NESDIS/STAR), and C. Calvert (Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Studies, CIMSS) visited the site of the Fog Remote Sensing and Modeling (FRAM) experiment in St. John’s, Newfoundland. Environment Canada is leading this field experiment, and collaboration with them allows us access to detailed and sophisticated ground-based measurements of fog macro and microphysical properties. These data will be used to validate the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES)-R fog/low cloud retrieval algorithms. In addition to being trained on the use of these data, ideas for future collaborative low cloud/fog field campaigns were discussed. (M. Pavolonis, E/RA2, 608-263-9597, Mike.Pavolonis@noaa.gov, C. Calvert, CIMSS)

Advanced Dvorak Technique Goes Operational: The Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Studies (CIMSS) Advanced Dvorak Technique (ADT) Version 7.2.3 was declared operational by the NOAA Satellite Analysis Branch (SAB) in Washington, DC. The ADT provides global tropical cyclone (TC) intensity estimates using geostationary, infrared satellite imagery and is distributed to major TC forecast centers around the world to aid in the determination of current TC intensity. Several significant improvements were implemented prior to declaring the ADT operational, including the use of global Regional Specialized Meteorological Center (RMSCs) forecasts, which has improved the ADT accuracy by providing better initial conditions prior to the production of the intensity estimates. Additional improvements to the ADT algorithm were also implemented after discussions with SAB forecasters. The partnership between the SAB forecasters/scientists and CIMSS scientists/developers has proved vital in the development of the ADT since it was begun in the late 1990's. (T. Olander, CIMSS, 608-265-8005; C. Velden, CIMSS, 608-262-9168)

Seminar at the Remote Sensing Institute, Michigan Technical University: A seminar entitled "Air quality modeling and aerosol assimilation during the ARCPAC field mission" was presented to Michican Technical University (MTU) faculty and students as part of MTU Remote Sensing Institute Seminar series. The seminar presented results of new studies of Arctic indirect aerosol effects during the Aerosol, Radiation, and Cloud Processes affecting Arctic Climate (ARCPAC) field mission. The studies use MODerate-resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) cloud property retrievals and aerosol analyses from the Real-time Air Quality Modeling System (RAQMS)to examine the effects of aerosol loading on ice and water cloud effective radius for fixed cloud liquid water content. (R.B. Pierce, E/RA2, 608-890-1892, brad.pierce@noaa.gov)

ITEMS FOR THE DIVISION CHIEF, CoRP:

GOES-R Cloud Application Team Technical Readiness Review: The Technical Readiness Review (TRR) for the GOES-R cloud products was held on 15 April 2009. The GOES-R Cloud Application Team (CAT) is responsible for 13 products. The purpose of the meeting was to demonstrate that the GOES-R Algorithm Implementation Team (AIT) was able to match the output from the GOES-R CAT. William Straka (CIMSS) played a key role in helping identify and communicate solutions for issues causing differences. During the TRR, the AIT successfully demonstrated close agreement between the AIT and CAT results for all products. (A. Heidinger, E/RA2, 608-263-6757, andrew.heidinger@noaa.gov)

GOES-R Legacy Atmospheric Profile Technical Readiness Review: The Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES)-R Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI) legacy Atmospheric Profile (LAP) Test Readiness Review (TRR) was held on April 15, 2009. This TRR covered the following products: legacy vertical moisture profile, legacy vertical temperature profile, derived stability indexes, and total precipitable water. (Tim Schmit, E/RA2, 608-263-0291, tim.schmit@noaa.gov; Jun Li, CIMSS, 608-262-3755, Jun.Li@ssec.wisc.edu, Graeme Martin, CIMSS, 608-263-6794, graemem@ssec.wisc.edu; Xin Jin, CIMSS, 608-890-0619, xjin@ssec.wisc.edu)

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