ASPB and CIMSS Weekly Report
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ASPB AND CIMSS WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 20, 2010

IN THE PRESS:

Newspaper Article Showcases Use of Satellite Data at CIMSS: The Wisconsin State Journal ran a front page story titled "Clouding the Picture", February 15, 2010. The article summarizes how information from weather satellites is used at the Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS) to study the atmosphere and to develop decision aids for government and industry. The article includes interviews with retired professor John Young, State Climatologist, Jordan Gerth, graduate student at the University of Wisconsin, and Robert Aune, research meteorologist with NOAA/NESDIS/STAR. The article can be viewed on line at http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/article_42d34828-19de-11df-adac-001cc4c03286.html. (R. Aune, E/RA2, 608-262-1071)

ITEMS FOR THE ADMINISTRATOR:

ITEMS FOR THE ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATOR:

ITEMS FOR THE OFFICE DIRECTOR, STAR:

GSICS Meeting: A. Heidinger attended a meeting of the Global Space Based Intercalibration System (GSICS) held at the French Space Agency (CNES) in Toulouse France. He gave an invited talk on a new solar reflectance calibration for the entire AVHRR sensor record (1978-2010). This work represents the first complete and consistent recalibration of the entire data. He also presented other efforts done at the Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS) on geostationary calibration. (A. Heidinger, E/RA2, 608-263-6757, andrew.heidinger@noaa.gov, M. Gunshor, CIMSS, 608-263-1146)

ITEMS FOR THE DIVISION CHIEF, CoRP:

RAQMS CalNex global chemical and aerosol forecasts available on-line: Global Real-time Air Quality Modeling System (RAQMS) chemical and aerosol forecasts in support of the upcoming NOAA CalNex field mission are now available on-line (http://raqms-ops.ssec.wisc.edu/index.php). The RAQMS 2x2 degree 72 hour forecasts are initialized with real-time assimilation of cloud cleared total column ozone from the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI), stratospheric ozone profiles from the Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) onboard the NASA Aura satellite, and aerosol optical depth (AOD) from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS). Forecasts are being evaluated with measurements of surface ozone and aerosols from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) AIRNow network in preparation for the CalNex mission. The RAQMS forecasts will be provided to forecasters at the California Air Resources Board (CARB) in support of operational decisions for the CalNex measurement platforms. RAQMS forecasts will also be delivered to CARB air quality modelers in real-time to provide lateral boundary conditions for CalNex regional model forecasting activities. (R.B. Pierce, E/RA2, 608-890-1892, brad.pierce@noaa.gov)

(Click image to enlarge)

Figure caption: RAQMS Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) prediction (upper panel) valid at 00Z on February 19, 2010 showing the transport of enhanced aerosol loading arriving onshore in Northern California associated with trans-pacific transport of Asian pollution. The enhanced AOD (~0.3) is found ahead of a strong low pressure system over the Eastern Pacific. AOD is indicated by colored shading and sea-level pressure (mb) is indicated by white contours. The lower panel shows a real-time comparison with US EPA AIRNow fine (<2.5 micron) particulate matter (PM2.5) observations (black) and RAQMS PM2.5 predictions (red) (micro-grams/cubic meter). Good agreement at the San Francisco monitoring station indicating that the RAQMS forecasts can provide useful information regarding trans-pacific transport of aerosol pollution for CalNex flight planning activities.

Manuscript on upper tropospheric storm signatures from advanced IR sounder submitted: A Manuscript titled "The Upper Tropospheric Signatures of Storms from Hyperspectral Resolution Infrared Soundings" has been submitted to Geophysical Research Letters. The study reveals the upper tropospheric stability from high accuracy and fine vertical resolution high spectral resolution infrared soundings, in conjunction with heavy precipitation, which may provide an explanation of unknown storm initiation mechanisms. Co-authors are Chian-Yi Liu, Jun Li and Steve Ackerman (Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies, CIMSS). (Chian-Yi Liu, cyliu@ssec.wisc.edu, 608-265-8620; Jun Li, Jun.Li@ssec.wisc.edu, 608-262-3755)

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