CIMSS-NOAA Weekly Report [ Archive ]

IN THE PRESS:

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ITEMS FOR THE ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATOR:

Polar Winds Generated On-site in Antarctica: Polar wind data covering much of Antarctica are now being generated with Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) data received by the National Science Foundation's direct broadcast (DB) system in McMurdo, Antarctica. All the processing is done in McMurdo, and only the wind data and plots are transferred back to the Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS) in Madison, Wisconsin.  The goals for the system are to reduce the time it takes to generate wind information so more can be assimilated in numerical weather prediction systems, and to provide forecasters in McMurdo with real-time products. Real-time wind plots for Terra and Aqua are available at http://stratus.ssec.wisc.edu/products/db/mcmurdo. Potential Arctic DB sites are being investigated. (J. Key, E/RA2, 608-263-2605, M. Lazzara, SSEC, D. Santek, CIMSS, 608-263-7410, C. Velden, CIMSS, 608-262-9168)

Significance:
Six numerical weather prediction (NWP) centers worldwide are assimilating the MODIS polar winds in operational forecast systems.  However, typical delays in acquiring the MODIS data are such that much of the wind information is not available in time to be used in regional NWP models.  This first implementation of the wind processing at a direct broadcast site lays the groundwork for providing wind information for NWP models and local forecasts faster than our current processing system.

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

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