CIMSS-NOAA Weekly Report [ Archive ]

IN THE PRESS:

ITEMS FOR THE ADMINISTRATOR:

ITEMS FOR THE ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATOR:

Operational Use of Polar Winds Data at the Canadian Meteorological Centre: The Canadian Meteorological Centre (CMC), Meteorological Service of Canada (MSC), began using the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) polar winds product in their operational forecast system on September 21, 2004.  Three other numerical weather prediction centers currently use the MODIS winds in operational forecast system: the European Centre for Medium-Range Forecasts (ECMWF), the NASA Global Modeling and Assimilation Office (GMAO), and the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA). The winds are produced experimentally in real-time at the University of Wisconsin Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS)  and in the Office of Research and Applications. (J. Key, E/RA2, 608-263-2605, D. Santek, CIMSS, 608-263-7410, C. Velden, CIMSS, 608-262-9168, J. Daniels, E/RA2)

Significance:
At least six numerical weather prediction centers have demonstrated that the MODIS polar winds have a positive impact on weather forecasts not only within the polar regions, but also in the extratropics.  The operational use of the wind data by CMC further demonstrates the utility of the product.

NOAA Mission Goal:
Serve society's needs for weather and water information.

NOAA Cross-Cutting Priorities:
Sound, Reliable State-of-the-Art Research

ITEMS FOR THE OFFICE DIRECTOR, ORA

Summit Held for Organizing SHyMet Training Course:A meeting was held September 27-28, 2004 at the Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies(CIMSS) to critique and further develop the current plans for the Satellite Hydrology and Meteorology (SHyMet) training course for the NWS. The meeting was coordinated by A. Mostek (National Weather Service Forecast Decision Training Branch).  A revised plan and subsequent set of action items resulted, following presentations and discussions among the nearly 20 attendees from the Office of Research and Applications (ORA) cooperative institutes, the COMET and Virtual Institute for Satellite Integration Training (VISIT) programs, NWS training components, and NWS Science and Operations Officers (SOOs). More details on the evolving SHyMet course can be found at: http://www.ssec.wisc.edu/visit/summit2004.html; go to “SHyMet outline (.doc)”. On Wednesday several meeting participants visited the local southern Wisconsin NWS office in Sullivan. (G.S. Wade, E/RA2, 608-263-4743;  T.J. Schmit, E/RA2, 608-263-0291; R.M. Aune, E/RA2, 608-262-1071; A. Mostek, (NWS) W/OS63, 303-497-8490)

Polar Cloud Detection Paper Published: A paper on nighttime cloud detection in the polar regions with the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) was published in the Remote Sensing of Environment (2004, v92, 181-194).  The paper, by Y. Liu (Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies, CIMSS), J. Key, R. Frey (CIMSS), S. Ackerman (CIMSS), and W.P. Menzel, titled "Nighttime polar cloud detection with MODIS" presents new cloud detection tests that utilize water vapor and carbon dioxide bands. (J. Key, E/RA2, 608-263-2605)

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