[ Archive ]
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ASPB and CIMSS Weekly Report
[ Archive ] |
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IN THE PRESS:
ITEMS FOR THE ADMINISTRATOR:
ITEMS FOR THE ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATOR:
ITEMS FOR THE OFFICE DIRECTOR, STAR:
Operational Use of Leo/Geo Winds by the National Center for Atmospheric Research: The National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) in Boulder, Colorado, began using the the Leo/Geo high latitude winds product generated at the Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS) in their operational Antarctic Mesoscale Prediction System (AMPS) model beginning in August 2011. The Leo/Geo winds product is experimental in which cloud features are tracked at high latitudes from images composed of geostationary and polar orbiting satellite data. The goal is to fill the gaps in satellite-derived winds coverage that are in the 60 to 70 degree (north and south) latitude bands. Also, this product has been used routinely in the US Navy's NRL Atmospheric Variational Data Assimilation System Accelerated Representer (NAVDAS-AR) since November 2010. (D. Santek, CIMSS, 608-263-7410; M. Lazzara, SSEC; J. Key, E/RA2, 608-263-2605, jeff.key@noaa.gov; C. Velden, CIMSS)
Paper on Volcanic Ash Dispersion Modeling Published: A paper entitled “A Genetic Algorithm Variational Approach to Data Assimilation and Application to Volcanic Emissions” was published in Pure and Applied Geophysics. The paper, which was co-authored by Kerrie Schmehl (Penn State University), Sue Ellen Haupt (Penn State University), and Michael Pavolonis (NOAA/NESDIS/STAR), describes an approach for assimilating quantitative satellite-derived volcanic ash information into dispersion models. (M. Pavolonis, E/RA2, 608-263-9597, Mike.Pavolonis@noaa.gov)
CIMSS Scientist Visits the National Hurricane Center: As part of an organized visiting scientists program, the National Hurricane center (NHC) recently hosted CIMSS research scientist Chris Velden over a 4-day period. The program is aimed at fostering interaction between forecasters and the research/user communities. The focus of the visit revolves around the guest "shadowing" the hurricane specialists during an operational shift each day. In this case, we followed Tropical Cyclone Emily as it reformed over the Bahamas for a brief period. The shadowing process allows the researcher/user to become familiar with and appreciate the operational forecast and warning process, as well as gain a better perception of what tools the analysts rely on. In turn, the exchange allows the visitor to show and discuss promising new analysis tools, and learn about forecaster perceptions of these tools (i.e. satellite-based products). From a researcher perspective, insight is gained into areas where future research would most benefit the operational tropical cyclone forecast process. (C. Velden, CIMSS, 608-262-9168)
ITEMS FOR THE DIVISION CHIEF, CoRP:
ASPB and CIMSS Participation in GIMPAP and PSDI Annual Reviews: Several scientists from the Advanced Satellite Products Branch (ASPB) and the Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS) remotely participated in the GOES (Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite)-I-M Product Assurance Plan (GIMPAP) and Product System Development and Implementation (PSDI) Annual Reviews held from August 9 – 11, 2011 in Suitland, MD. ASPB and CIMSS scientists presented a total of 10 new GIMPAP projects on a variety of topics including deep convection, cloud properties, data assimilation, biomass burning, radar/satellite data fusion, and tropical cyclones. In addition, Jeff Key (NOAA/NESDIS/STAR), Andrew Heidinger (NOAA/NESDIS/STAR), and Michael Pavolonis (NOAA/NESDIS/STAR) represented 6 PSDI projects (as project lead or back-up lead) involving the transition of polar winds, cloud properties, Arctic composite satellite imagery, tropical cyclones, and volcanic ash to operations. (M. Pavolonis, E/RA2, 608-263-9597, Mike.Pavolonis@noaa.gov)
GOES-R Proving Ground Training at Local Wisconsin NWS Office: On 09 August 2011, a couple Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS) and STAR scientists conducted a training shift, with forecaster J. J. Wood at the southern Wisconsin National Weather Service (NWS) Forecast Office in Sullivan (designation of MKX). G. S. Wade (StAR/Advanced Satellite Products Branch (ASPB)) described and demonstrated experimental CIMSS products using (current) Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) data, which are being evaluated as proto-type products, in preparation for GOES-R; these products included GOES Imager-based convective initiation (CI) and GOES Sounder-based “Nearcasting”. K. Strabala (CIMSS) described and demonstrated experimental CIMSS products which are based on select spectral bands, currently available on the NASA MODerate resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument, but to also be available on GOES-R; these products include fog/low cloud parameters, cloud type, sea surface temperature (SST), and vegetation index. Simulated GOES-R imagery, obtained by radiative transfer projection from numerical forecast model fields, was also demonstrated, invoking a yearning for the marked improvements in temporal, spatial, and spectral resolution that will come with the GOES-R imager. P. Rowley, a data interpretation specialist at CIMSS, also participated in the training, much of which is accessible at: http://cimss.ssec.wisc.edu/goes_r/proving-ground/SPC/SPC.html. (G.S. Wade, E/RA2, 608-263-4743, gary.s.wade@noaa.gov; K. Strabala, CIMSS, 608-263-8752, kathy.strabala@ssec.wisc.edu; J. J. Wood, NWS, 262-965-5061, james.wood@noaa.gov; P. Rowley, CIMSS, 263-1336, patrick.rowley@ssec.wisc.edu)
STAR Chief of Staff Visits ASPB: STAR Chief of Staff, Mike Goldberg, visited the Advanced Satellite Products Branch (ASPB) in Madison, WI on August 9, 2011. His visit included a tour of the new STAR Supercomputer for Satellite Simulations and data assimilation Studies (S4) being hosted and IT-managed at the University of Wisconsin Space Science and Engineering Center (SSEC), the rooftop instruments and satellite data receivers at SSEC, and the Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS) Analysis and Visualization Environment (CAVE). (M. Pavolonis, E/RA2, 608-263-9597, Mike.Pavolonis@noaa.gov)