CIMSS-NOAA Weekly Report [ Archive ]

ASPB AND CIMSS WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 24, 2017

IN THE PRESS:

ITEMS FOR THE ADMINISTRATOR:

ITEMS FOR THE ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATOR:

ITEMS FOR THE OFFICE DIRECTOR, STAR:

Manuscript on Volcanic Ash Dispersion Modeling Published: A manuscript entitled “Improving volcanic ash predictions with the HYSPLIT dispersion model by assimilating MODIS satellite retrievals” was published in Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics (http://www.atmos-chem-phys.net/17/2865/2017/). The paper demonstrates that satellite-based volcanic ash retrievals from the VOLcanic Cloud Analysis Toolkit (VOLCAT) can be assimilated into NOAA’s operational dispersion model (HYSPLIT) and have a significant positive impact on forecast accuracy. The Co-authors are Tianfeng Chai (NOAA/OAR), Alice Crawford (NOAA/OAR), Barbara Stunder (NOAA/OAR), Michael Pavolonis (STAR), Roland Draxler (NOAA/OAR), and Ariel Stein (NOAA/OAR). (M. Pavolonis, E/RA2, 608-263-9597, Mike.Pavolonis@noaa.gov)

ITEMS FOR THE DIVISION CHIEF, CoRP:

GOES-R Satellite Series Teaching Resources featured in Quarterly Educational Journal: An article describing interactive tools that demonstrate Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES)-R series advanced capabilities is featured in the January 2017 National Association of Geoscience Teachers quarterly publication which reaches 1400 hard copy subscribers. “TEACHING RESOURCES: GOES-R Satellite WebApps Aid Middle School, High School Teachers” was written as part of the GOES-R Education Proving Ground out of the Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS), accessible on-line at http://nagt.org/nagt/publications/trenches/v7-n1/index.html#fourth. (M. Mooney, CIMSS, 608-265-2123)

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GOES-R/16 Course for NWS Science Officers: From 21 through 23 February 2016, Jordan Gerth from the Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS) and Tim Schmit, ASPB, served as subject-matter expert instructors for the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite R-Series (GOES-R)/16 preparatory course for National Weather Service (NWS) Science and Operations Officers (SOOs). This was the first of seven courses that included real GOES-16 imager data. Over 130 NWS SOOs will get to participate in course series. The course curriculum includes lectures and interactive activities on the GOES-R imager spectral bands, weighting functions, water vapor imagery interpretation, and imagery composites. The NWS funded the development of the Satellite Information Familiarization Tool (SIFT) for use during some lab activities. (J. Gerth, CIMSS, 608-263-4942, T. Schmit)

NOAA ESRL Chemical Sciences Division Seminar: Brad Pierce presented a Chemical Sciences Division seminar entitled “Intercontinental Pollution and Atmospheric River Transport Processes during the 2016 NOAA El Niño Rapid Response (ENRR) Field Campaign” at the NOAA Earth Science Research Laboratory (ESRL) on February 23, 2017 in Boulder Colorado. The talk focused on the use of NOAA-Unique Combined Atmospheric Processing System (NUCAPS) water vapor and carbon monoxide retrievals, High Spectral Resolution Lidar (HSRL) extinction profiles, and Real-time Air Quality Modeling System (RAQMS) chemical and aerosol analyses to investigate intercontinental pollution and Atmospheric River transport processes during the ENRR field campaign (R.B. Pierce, E/RA2, 608-890-1892, brad.pierce@noaa.gov)

GOES-16 vs. GOES-13 Comparison for Fires in Florida: A comparison of Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES)-16 vs. GOES-13 shortwave infrared images showing fires in Florida was provided to NOAA Communications for posting on their GOES-16 Data and Imagery site (http://www.goes-r.gov/multimedia/goes-16DataAndImagery.html). Numerous small grass and brush fires were burning near Lake Okeechobee in southern Florida on February 20, 2017. The improved GOES-16 spatial resolution (2-km, vs. 4-km for GOES-13) in addition to the faster scan interval (30 seconds, vs. 15-30 minutes for GOES-13) allowed for superior detection of the fire signatures. (S. Bachmeier, CIMSS, 608-263-3958)

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