 |
CIMSS-NOAA Weekly Report
[ Archive ] |
 |
ASPB AND CIMSS WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 10, 2006
IN
THE PRESS:
ITEMS
FOR THE ADMINISTRATOR:
ITEMS FOR THE ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATOR:
ITEMS FOR THE OFFICE DIRECTOR, STAR:
CLAVR-x Cloud Mask Goes Operational:
Starting this month, the Clouds from AVHRR Extended (CLAVR-x) cloud
mask has become operational. The CLAVR-x cloud mask is now
available in all level 1b data from the Advanced Very High Resolution
Radiometer (AVHRR). The additional parts of CLAVR-x that generate
cloud products will transition later this year. (A. Heidinger, E/RA2,
608-263-6757, andrew.heidinger@noaa.gov)
Development of a Secondary Eyewall Index for Improvement of Tropical Cyclone Intensity Forecasting:
Eyewall replacement cycles (ERCs) in tropical cyclones are associated
with significant, and often rapid, intensity change, but we presently
have no algorithms in place to diagnose these events. Our inability to
diagnose the onset of ERCs is evident in the fact that the 24 hour
intensity forecast bias and error is significantly greater during these
cycles, when compared to the general population. We have uncovered
systematic signals that correlate with the onset of ERCs. The signals
are found in features of environmental fields, and microwave and
geostationary infrared satellite imagery. Using these features, we have
constructed an objective index to diagnose the onset of an ERC. The
index gives a “YES/NO” classification based on Linear
Discriminant Functions, and a probability of YES/NO using Bayesian
Classification with K-Nearest Neighbor probability density functions.
(J. Kossin, CIMSS)
(Click image to enlarge)
Figure caption: Probability of Secondary Eyewall Formation (SEF) based
on only two parameters. SEF signals the onset of an eyewall replacement
cycle (ERC).
ITEMS
FOR THE DIVISION CHIEF, CoRP
CIMSS Presentations at Chicago Chapter AMS Meeting:
On 7 February, Howard Berger and Dave Stettner, Cooperative Institute
for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS) were the invited speakers
at the Chicago Chapter of the American Meteorological Society
(AMS) monthly meeting. They presented an overview of
the CIMSS tropical cyclone work as well as tropical
cyclone climatology, climate change links, and the busy 2005 Atlantic
hurricane season. There were approximately 30 attendees. The
chapter membership represented that evening included a number of
current and former National Weather Service (NWS) personnel, airline
weather forecasters, private sector meteorologists, and federal
scientists from Fermi and Argonne national labs. (D. Stettner, CIMSS,
608-262-8850, H. Berger, CIMSS)
SSEC WeatherFest Booth at Atlanta AMS Meeting:
Over 1000 people visited the Space Science and Engineering Center
(SSEC) booth at WeatherFest in Atlanta on Sunday January 29. For most
of the four hour event there were three lines (mainly middle school
& elementary aged children with their parents) of people
waiting to try out the educational applets that Tom Whittaker and Steve
Ackerman have developed over the years. It was a huge success as an
outreach effort. Pictures are available at: http://cimss.ssec.wisc.edu/wxfest/AMS.html. (M. Mooney, SSEC)
Other Meetings and Telecons:
(None)
VISITORS:
La Crosse NWS Visitors: D. Baumgardt and
D. Schmidt from the National Weather Service (NWS) Forecast Office in
La Crosse, Wisconsin visited the Cooperative Institute for
Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS) to discuss the NWS use of
satellite products and a possible collaborative effort to produce and
evaluate Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) images
and products in a format that was compatible for the NWS Advanced
Weather Information Processing System (AWIPS). (K. Strabala,
CIMSS, S. Bachmeier,
CIMSS, 608-263-3958)
NEXT WEEK:
LOOKING AHEAD:
Archived Weeklies Page