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CIMSS-NOAA Weekly Report
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ASPB AND CIMSS WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 17, 2006
IN
THE PRESS:
ITEMS
FOR THE ADMINISTRATOR:
ITEMS FOR THE ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATOR:
ITEMS FOR THE OFFICE DIRECTOR, STAR:
Convective Storm Nowcasting Products:
Experimental Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES)
imager convective storm nowcasting products developed at the
Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS) are
being provided to the NESDIS Satellite Applications Branch (SAB, Brian
Hughes and Jay Hanna) to enhance quantitative satellite-derived
precipitation estimates for heavy precipitation events. These
products consist of a visible and infrared convective cloud classifier,
convective cloud growth rate information, and experimental
satellite-derived mesoscale winds. When these products are
combined, regions of new thunderstorm development can be identified
30-45 mins before they produce their first 35 dBZ radar reflectivity
echo. These products have been converted into the McIDAS file
format for display on SAB workstations and will be evaluated in the
upcoming months to determine value for SAB operational forecasts.
(K. Bedka, CIMSS, 608-265-0854, W. Feltz, CIMSS,
608-265-6283).
Calibration of MTSAT:
Various personnel located at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have
monitored Japan’s Multi-functional Transport Satellite (MTSAT)
calibration status and participated in a conference call on February 16
to discuss user characterization of MTSAT-1R data navigation and
calibration errors. The telecon leader was John Paquette of Office of
Satellite Data Production and Distribution (OSDPD). Recent calibration
changes by the Japanese Meteorological Agency (JMA) improved the 4
micrometer imagery, especially in the range of warm temperature values.
This was verified by comparisons to the Advanced Very High Resolution
Radiometer (AVHRR) on National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA)-18 and Atmospheric InfraRed Sounder (AIRS) co-located data. (T.
Schmit, E/RA2,
608-263-0291, tim.j.schmit@noaa.gov, M. Gunshor, CIMSS,
608-263-1146, D. Santek, SSEC, R. Kohrs, SSEC)
ITEMS
FOR THE DIVISION CHIEF, CoRP
Manuscript on Cloud Top Heights Submitted to Scientific Journal: A paper entitled "Comparison of MISR and MODIS cloud-top heights in the presence of cloud overlap" was submitted to Remote Sensing of Environment.
The paper by C. Naud (Columbia University), B. Baum (National
Aeronautics and Space Administration), M. Pavolonis, A. Heidinger, R.
Frey (Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Studies, CIMSS), and H.
Zhang (CIMSS) presents an analysis on the performance of the Multiangle
Imaging SpectroRadiometer (MISR) and the Moderate Resolution Imaging
Spectroradiometer (MODIS) cloud top height algorithms when
multi-layered clouds are present. The results indicate that a
combined MISR/MODIS approach may be useful for retrieving two-layer
cloud heights in some situations (M. Pavolonis, E/RA2,
608-263-9597, mpav@ssec.wisc.edu, A. Heidinger, E/RA2, 608-263-6757).
Abtract on Current GOES Sounder Submitted to COSPAR:
An abstract titled "Development and Applications of the GOES Sounder
Products" has been submitted to the session of Atmospheric Remote
Sensing: Surface Layer, Troposphere, Stratosphere and Mesosphere,
Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) scientific assembly to be held in
Beijing in July, 2006. Co-authors are Jun Li, W. Paul Menzel, and
other CIMSS collaborators. (Jun Li, CIMSS, 608-262-3755)
Manuscript Reviews: Aune completed two manuscript reviews for Weather and Forecasting. Both manuscripts deal with new applications of satellite observations to operational forecasting.
(R.Aune, E/RA2,
608-262-1071, robert.aune@noaa.gov)
Other Meetings and Telecons:
(None)
VISITORS:
EUMETSAT Visitor: Stephen Tjemkes from teh European
Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites
(EUMETSAT) visited the Cooperative Institute for Meteorological
Satellite Studies (CIMSS) last week. Dr. Tjemkes gave a CIMSS
Seminar titled "Meteosat Third Generation: The IRS and UVS missions".
(M. Vasys, CIMSS, 608-263-3647)
Boston Museum of Science Visitor:
Brian Rogan, from the Boston Museum of Science, visited CIMSS to
discuss collaborative efforts between the two institutes and the
potential of working with NOAA on integrating weather education of
formal and informal audiences.
(S. Ackerman, CIMSS,
608-263-3647)
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