CIMSS-NOAA Weekly Report [ Archive ]

CIMSS AND ASPB WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE WEEK ENDING JULY 17, 2020

PRODUCTS AND APPLICATIONS:

MetOp-SG CDR: A Critical Design Review (CDR) was held this week for the heritage NESDIS products that are planned to be generated from the instruments on the second generation of the MetOp (MetOp-2G) polar orbiting weather satellites. MetOp-SG will be operated by the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT) but the data will be shared with NESDIS. Andrew Heidinger presented the plans for extension and modification of the Enterprise Cloud Algorithms on the MetOp Imager (MetImage). Jeff Key made multiple presentations on the generation of Cryosphere and Atmospheric Motion Products from MetOp-SG sensors. Mike Pavolonis briefed on his plans for inclusion of MetOp-SG data into his volcanic monitoring and alerting system (VOLCAT). Questions remains on the actual number of products that NESDIS will produce given that EUMETSAT will be making a full suite of products from MetOp-2G. (A. Heidinger, E/RA2, 608-263-6757, andrew.heidinger@noaa.gov; J. Key, E/RA2, 608-263-2605, jeff.key@noaa.gov; M. Pavolonis, E/RA2, 608-263-9597, mpav@ssec.wisc.edu)

AWARDS AND RECOGNITION:

PUBLICATIONS:

GSICS papers published: Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS) scientists authored/co-authored two papers which were recently published in the Remote Sensing special issue on "The Needs and Path Toward an SI-Traceable Space-based Climate Observing System": Taylor, J.K.; Revercomb, H.E.; Best, F.A.; Tobin, D.C.; Gero, P.J. The Infrared Absolute Radiance Interferometer (ARI) for CLARREO. Remote Sens. 2020, 12, 1915, https://doi.org/10.3390/rs12121915 and Hewison, T.J.; Doelling, D.R.; Lukashin, C.; Tobin, D.; O. John, V.; Joro, S.; Bojkov, B. Extending the Global Space-Based Inter-Calibration System (GSICS) to Tie Satellite Radiances to an Absolute Scale. Remote Sens. 2020, 12, 1782, https://doi.org/10.3390/rs12111782. (D. Tobin, CIMSS, 608-265-6281, J. Taylor, CIMSS, H. Revercomb, CIMSS, F. Best, CIMSS, P. Gero, CIMSS)

WORKSHOPS, CONFERENCES, AND MEETINGS:

National Hazards Workshop Flash Drought Panel: Jason Otkin served as a panelist on a session during the 2020 National Hazards Workshop focusing on flash droughts. This topic has gained increasing attention in the media and research community in recent years due to the occurrence of many high-impact flash drought events in the U.S. and globally. Flash droughts are characterized by a period of unusually rapid intensification over sub-seasonal time scales, which presents different monitoring and prediction challenges than occurs with slower-developing droughts. He gave a presentation that discussed recent research on flash drought. The workshop was held virtually on 13-15 July 2020. (J. Otkin, CIMSS, 608-265-2476)

July Flash Talk Social: NOAA’s Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS) held a third round of informal on-line science talks on Monday July 13th featuring short virtual presentations on projects underway while working remotely. The monthly event doubles as a social gathering to connect with colleagues during a global pandemic. The line-up and a recording of the event is available at https://cimss.ssec.wisc.edu/education/flashtalks/. (M. Mooney, CIMSS, margaret.mooney@ssec.wisc.edu, Scott Lindstrom, CIMSS, scottl@ssec.wisc.edu)

ESIP Teacher Workshop: Margaret Mooney, Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS), helped organize and contributed to the annual Earth Science Information Partners (ESIP) Teacher Workshop July 14th and 15th. As background, the event started in 2009 as a collaboration between Mooney and NIna Jackson from NOAA and been offered at different locations each summer since then as the ESIP meeting rotates around the country. 2020 was the first time it was offered on-line and more than half of attendees were alumni from past ESIP Teacher Workshops. Over 40 educators joined each day to learn about NOAA Climate Explorer, the En-ROADS Climate Interactive, My NASA Data, NOAA’s SOSx Mobile and the GOES 16/17 Virtual Science Fair. (M.Mooney, CIMSS, margaret.mooney@ssec.wisc.edu)

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TRAINING AND EDUCATION:

VISIT Training on NUCAPS Soundings: Scott Lindstrom from the Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS) gave Virtual Institute for Satellite Integration Studies (VISIT) training on NOAA-Unique Combined Atmospheric Processing System (NUCAPS) profiles that are available in AWIPS at National Weather Service forecast offices. This live training event was for a work-from-home forecaster in the Charleston WV (WFO RLX) forecast office. (Scott Lindstrom, CIMSS, 608 263 4425)

VISIT Training on Above-Anvil Cirrus Plumes: Scott Lindstrom from the Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS) gave Virtual Institute for Satellite Integration Studies (VISIT) training on Above-Anvil Cirrus Plumes (AACPs), features of strong convective storms. The presence of an AACP is very well-correlated with severe weather. AACPs can be identified in both visible and infrared imagery. This live training was given to a forecaster from the San Juan (Puerto Rico) Forecast Office. (Scott Lindstrom, CIMSS, 608 263 4425)

MEDIA AND OUTREACH:

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: 1) CIMSS researcher Anthony Wimmers' MIMIC Total Precipitable Water product was featured in a BBC Weather piece that aired on July 11, 2020. It explained the science behind the Meiyu front that is responsible for bringing torrential rains and flooding to China and Japan during the monsoon season. (https://www.bbc.com/weather/features/53376501) 2) CIMSS Satellite Blog contributors Scott Bachmeier, Scott Lindstrom, and Tim Schmit published posts on "Turbulence associated with transverse banding" (July16), "NUCAPS Soundings and microwave-based and GOES Level 2 Rain Rates" (July 15), "UW/Madison CIMSS at 40" (July 14), "Severe thunderstorms across Iowa and Kansas" (July 11), and "Tropical Storm Fay makes landfall in New Jersey" (July 10). Read more at the CIMSS Satellite Blog: https://cimss.ssec.wisc.edu/satellite-blog/. (J. Phillips, SSEC, 608-262-8164, A. Wimmers, CIMSS, S. Bachmeier, CIMSS, 608-263-3958, S. Lindstrom, CIMSS, T. Schmit, E/RA2, 608-263-0291)

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Figure: CIMSS-developed, MIMIC Total Precipitable Water product featured in a BBC Weather video that aired on July 11, 2020 to help explain the science behind the Meiyu front. Credit: CIMSS.

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Figure: July 2020 marks the 40th year of CIMSS as a NOAA cooperative institute. This NASA SMS image is from July 14, 1980, the institute's first year. Credit: CIMSS, NASA. 

OTHER:

Common Access Card Successes and Struggles: With the help of many, T. Schmit's Common Assess Card (CAC) has been activated. This help took the form of many emails, phone calls, emotional support, and tech support in both Wisconsin and College Park, etc. This item is reported since it demonstrates how the COVID-19 situation has magnified what should have been a simply task to a multi-week ordeal. Additionally, a few CIMSS personnel have recently struggled with CAC renewal issues. (T. Schmit, E/RA2)