CIMSS-NOAA Weekly Report [ Archive ]

ASPB AND CIMSS WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 14, 2018

IN THE PRESS:

SSEC and CIMSS Scientists in the News: Scientists at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW) Space Science and Engineering Center (SSEC) and the Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS) provide expert commentary, interviews, and imagery to news media and participate in events to promote science. In the news this week: CIMSS Satellite blog contributor Scott Bachmeier published posts on "Severe thunderstorms in Argentina" (Dec. 10), "Winter storm affecting the Southern Plains to the Mid-Atlantic" (Dec. 10), and "Mesoscale vortices in Oregon and Idaho" (Dec. 7). Read more at the CIMSS Satellite Blog: http://cimss.ssec.wisc.edu/goes/blog/. (S. Bachmeier, CIMSS)

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Figure: A comparison of GOES-16 (GOES-East) “Red” Visible (0.64 µm) and “Clean” Infrared Window (10.3 µm) images showing the development of thunderstorms ahead of a cold front moving northward across central Argentina on 10 December 2018. Watch the MP4 animation at https://go.wisc.edu/yhk3f0.

ITEMS FOR THE ADMINISTRATOR:

ITEMS FOR THE ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATOR:

ITEMS FOR THE OFFICE DIRECTOR, STAR:

Metop-C CDR: A Critical Design Review (CDR) was held for the NESDIS Metop-C Project. The third and last Meteorological Operational Satellite (Metop-C) in the series was launched last month by the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT). NESDIS will generate a full-suite of products from its algorithms on the Metop-C Data. The CDR was led by Thomas King. Andrew Heidinger presented on the plan for applying the Clouds from AVHRR Extended (CLAVR-x) algorithms, and Jeff Key reviewed the update to the Polar Winds Application. The Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) flown on Metop-C is the 17th and final AVHRR sensor. (A. Heidinger, E/RA2, 608-263-6757, andrew.heidinger@noaa.gov;J. Key, E/RA2, 608-263-2605, jeff.key@noaa.gov)

Mark Kulie Joins NOAA: Dr. Mark Kulie joined the NOAA/NESDIS Advanced Satellite Products Branch (ASPB) collocated with the Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS) in Madison, WI, on December 10, 2018. Mark received his Ph.D. degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2010. From 2010 to 2016 he was a Researcher at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Space Science and Engineering Center. From 2016 to 2018 he was an Assistant Professor in the Department of Geological, Mining Engineering and Sciences at Michigan Technological University. His primary research interests are snowfall remote sensing and global mapping using spaceborne, airborne, and ground-based instruments, monitoring long-term snowfall changes, improving snowfall radar-derived quantitative precipitation estimates, snow microphysics observations, and GOES/NEXRAD Great Lakes lake-effect snow product development. (J. Key, E/RA2, 608-263-2605, jeff.key@noaa.gov)

ITEMS FOR THE DIVISION CHIEF, CoRP:

CIMSS at AGU GIFT Workshop in Washington DC: Scott Lindstrom and Margaret Mooney of the Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS) presented information on GOES-16 and the Satellite Information and Familiarization Tool (SIFT) to 18 teachers and Einstein Scholars at the National Earth Science Teachers' Association (NESTA) Geophysical Information For Teachers (GIFT) workshop at the annual American Geophysical Union (AGU) Fall 2018 Meeting in Washington, DC. SIFT GOES-16 data focused on burn scar detection in Nevada, and stratus cloud detection in Washington State. Different sources for GOES-16 data and Web Apps that help K-12 students explore GOES-16 bands were discussed, as well as a Virtual Science Fair (http://cimss.ssec.wisc.edu/education/goesr/vsf) that CIMSS is conducting in spring 2019. (Scott Lindstrom, CIMSS, 608 263 425; Margaret Mooney, CIMSS, 608 265 2123, Tim Schmit NOAA/ASPB 608 263 0291) 

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Figure: Scott Lindstrom and Margaret Mooney at the AGU GIFT Workshop

GOES-R Daytime Cloud Particle Size Provisional Maturity Revisit: The GOES-R Daytime Cloud Optical and Microphysical Properties (DCOMP) Algorithm under went a Provisional Maturity Review Revisit for the cloud particle size product. This product failed its Provisional Review in February 2018. A change in the ground system in January 2018 caused large errors in DCOMP. After months of discussion and code inspection, it was determined that the solar relative azimuth angle computation was changed in January 2018 and this change caused the errant DCOMP results. This issue was resolved in November 2018 and this review is the final step in this process. (A. Walther, CIMSS, andi.walther@ssec.wisc.edu, William Straka III, CIMSS, wstraka@ssec.wisc.edu, Andrew Heidinger, E/RA2, andrew.heidinger@noaa.gov)

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