CIMSS-NOAA Weekly Report
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ASPB AND CIMSS WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE WEEK ENDING JULY 2, 2004

IN THE PRESS:

ITEMS FOR THE ADMINISTRATOR:

ITEMS FOR THE ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATOR:

ITEMS FOR THE OFFICE DIRECTOR, ORA:

Analysis of Record Summit: R. Aune attended the two-day, U.S. Weather Research Program (USWRP) sponsored Analysis of Record (AoR) Summit in Boulder, Colorado last week.  The purpose of the summit was to discuss plans for generating a near real-time, high-resolution (5 km spacing), two-dimensional gridded analysis of various surface forecast parameters to be called the Analysis of Record.  It will be used to validate operational forecast systems including the National Weather Service's digital forecast fields created by forecasters using the Interactive Forecast Preparation System (IFPS).  The high spatial and temporal resolutions of the AoR grids will require contributions from the GOES satellites, however, it has yet to be determined what role satellites will play in the generation of the gridded fields. (R. Aune, E/RA2, 608-262-1071)

Summary GOES-8 Web Page: At the request of C. Hartman, a web page devoted to the accomplishments of Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES)-8 was developed and posted on the Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS) web site. The web page (http://cimss.ssec.wisc.edu/goes/goes8/) links to sample GOES-8 imagery and products for a number of disciplines. The  page also has a list of accomplishments, a bibliography of over 100 journal articles on GOES-8 and a page of links. Thanks to Kris Karnauskas, a CIMSS student hourly worker, who built the web page.  (T. Schmit, E/RA2, 608-263-0291)

CIMSS Monitors Alaskan/Canadian Fires and Long-Range Smoke Transport: Numerous large wildfires burned out of control in Alaska and the Yukon Territory during the latter half of June 2004. The Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS) created a web page (http://cimss.ssec.wisc.edu/goes/misc/040619/) with satellite images showing the smoke plumes and fire hot spots, an animation of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Hazard Mapping System (HMS) Fire and Smoke Product (which includes fire count data from the CIMSS Wildfire Automated Biomass Burning Algorithm (WF_ABBA)), and NOAA Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) composite and shortwave InfraRed (IR) imagery. The University of Wisconsin-Madison Arctic High Spectral Resolution Lidar detected the elevated smoke layers as they drifted over southern Wisconsin. (S. Bachmeier, CIMSS, 608-263-3958)

ITEMS FOR THE DIVISION CHIEF, ARAD

GOES-12 Imager and Sounder via the MSPS (Sensor Processing System): For about 48 hours on 28 and 29 June, 2004 Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES)-11 was used to broadcast a parallel stream of GOES-12 GOES VARiable (GVAR) data. This parallel data differed from the operational GOES-12 data stream in that it was processed using a different SPS (Sensor Processing System), dubbed MSPS (Modern SPS). All GOES VARiable (GVAR) data were archived by the Space Science and Engineering Center (SSEC) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Transmission of the same satellite data via different processing boxes allows for a test of the new system. Overall, the sounder data was very similar, except for the navigation and the imager showed slight (but explainable) differences. Examples of both Imager and Sounder comparisons can be found at: http://cimss.ssec.wisc.edu/goes/goes12_blog/ . (T. Schmit, E/RA2, 608-263-0291, M. Gunshor, CIMSS, 608-263-1146, D. Wade, CIMSS, 608-263-0527)

Input on the ABI Descope Options: As members of the Atmosphere, Ocean, Land (AOL) Technically Advisory Panel (TAP), T. Schmit and A. Heidinger provided input to the GOES Program Office on the impacts of the various Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES)-R Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI) descope options. Currently the vendors are investigating four descope options (Channel Elimination Study, Coverage Rate Study, On-Board Reflective Calibration Study and Visible/Infrared Imager and Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) Band Compatibility Study). For example, a section was written on the impact of not having 4 of the 16 ABI bands. Due to the unique information provided by each of the four ABI spectral bands that are being studied for elimination, it was recommended that none of these bands should be removed from the ABI, as they affect many required products. (T. Schmit, E/RA2, 608-263-0291, A. Heidinger, E/RA2, 608-263-6757)

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