CIMSS-NOAA Weekly Report
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ASPB AND CIMSS WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 20, 2004

IN THE PRESS:

ITEMS FOR THE ADMINISTRATOR:

ITEMS FOR THE ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATOR:

ITEMS FOR THE OFFICE DIRECTOR, ORA:

International Discussion on Obtaining MODIS from Direct Broadcast Sites for Polar Winds: A teleconference was held on Monday, February 16, 2004 to discuss the feasibility and benefits of obtaining Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) data from high-latitude direct broadcast sites for use in generating the MODIS polar winds product.  Participants included scientists from the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT), the European Space Agency (ESA), the U.K. Met Office, the European Centre for Medium-range Forecasts (ECMWF), the NASA Global Modeling and Assimilation Office (GMAO), the University of Wisconsin's Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS), and NESDIS' Office of Research and Applications.  The potential benefit of this data access method is that the time delay in generating the polar wind data could be reduced significantly for some areas and times.  Sites in Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Alaska were discussed.  Implementation is underway with the sites at Kiruna, Sweden and Fairbanks, Alaska.   (J. Key, E/RA2, 608-263-2605, C. Velden, CIMSS, 608-262-9168, D. Santek, CIMSS, 608-263-7410)

GOES-R ABI Seminar given a the NOAA Science Center: T. Schmit gave a seminar at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Science Center on February 17. The title was  "The next generation imager on Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES)-R". An overview of the Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI) was given, along with examples for select bands or products.  Each product currently produced from the GOES imager will be improved with data from the ABI, plus many new products will be able to be produced. (T. Schmit, E/RA2, 608-263-0291)

GOES-R Readiness Seminar: T. Schmit and J. Gurka (NOAA/NESDIS Office of Systems Development) spoke at a National Weather Service (NWS) Science and Technology Seminar on February 18 in Silver Spring. The title was "Introducing GOES-R: Ensuring User Readiness for 2012".  While the great potential for GOES-R data was demonstrated, it was discussed that much work remains to fulfill the potential. (T. Schmit, E/RA2, 608-263-0291)

Paper on the Use of Cloud Information in a Regional Model Published:  A paper titled "A study of the Antarctic surface energy budget using a coupled regional climate model forced with satellite-derived cloud properties" was published in the February issue of Monthly Weather Review.  The paper, by M. Pavolonis (Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies), J. Key, and J. Cassano (University of Colorado), describes a study where satellite-derived cloud information was used to modify the moisture field in a regional atmosphere-ocean-land model over Antarctica.  (M. Pavolonis, CIMSS, 608-263-9597, J. Key, E/RA2, 608-263-2605)

ITEMS FOR THE DIVISION CHIEF, ARAD

Presentation on Potential VIIRS Cloud Typing Algorithm Given at Operational Algorithm Team Meeting : An algorithm for detecting cloud overlap and determining cloud type from the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) was presented at the recent NPOESS Operational Algorithm Team (OAT) meetings in Redondo Beach, California by M. Pavolonis of the Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS).  The research presented was performed in collaboration with the NPOESS contractor Northrup-Grumman in an effort to improve the current VIIRS cloud typing algorithm.  The results indicate that the new algorithm offers significant improvements to the current algorithm, especially because of the added capability of identifying the presence of multiple cloud layers.  (M. Pavolonis, CIMSS, 608-263-9597, A. Heidinger, E/RA2, 608-263-6757)

GOES Sounding POP Meeting: T. Schmit convened a  Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES)-style Sounder Product Oversight Panel (SPOP) meeting in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) science center on February 17. Topics discussed included GOES-9 Sounder status (data and products), SFOV status, GOES Sounder Visible striping, bias corrections, the role of the POP for future sounders and a review of the "top ten" list. Presentations were given by T. Schmit and J. Daniels. (T. Schmit, E/RA2, 608-263-0291)

GOES-R Hyperspectral data compression meeting:  R. Heymann (NOAA/NESDIS Office of Systems Development) and T. Schmit convened a meeting on the important topic of compression of hyperspectral data in Silver Spring on February 18-19.  All the team members were present, including those from Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS), NOAA/NESDIS, Aerospace Corp, Goddard Space Flight Center and the Cooperative Remote sEnsing Science & Technology center (CREST). Good progress is being made on lossless compression of high spectral resolution infrared data. Exciting work has also begun on lossy compression via a number of methods. (T. Schmit, E/RA2, 608-263-0291)

GOES-R AOL TAP Meeting: T. Schmit and A. Heidinger participated in two Atmosphere, Ocean and Land (AOL) Technical Advisory Panel (TAP) meetings via telecon. The main topic was relaxing the out-of-band specification for the 1.38 micron band on the Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI). It was decided to accept a 0.25% out-of-band response. This spectral band will be used to detect daytime cirrus. The other topic was the required frequency of visible calibrations for the ABI.  (T. Schmit, E/RA2, 608-263-0291)

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