CIMSS-NOAA Weekly Report
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ASPB AND CIMSS WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE WEEK ENDING APRIL 14, 2006

IN THE PRESS:

ITEMS FOR THE ADMINISTRATOR:

ITEMS FOR THE ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATOR:

Operational Assimilation of Direct Broadcast MODIS Winds at U.S. Navy: In mid-March, 2006, the Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceangraphy Center (FNMOC, U.S. Navy) began operational use of the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) polar winds that are generated on-site in McMurdo, Antarctica.  In mid-April, FNMOC began operational use of MODIS winds generated on-site in Tromsø, Norway. The McMurdo polar winds system uses MODIS data collected by the National Science Foundation's direct broadcast (DB) system.  The Tromsø winds use data collected by an Integrated Program Office antenna on Svalbard. FNMOC is using the winds in NOGAPS (Navy Operational Global Atmospheric Prediction System), where the DB winds are "superobbed" together with the previously operational “bent-pipe” MODIS winds (MODIS data obtained through a NASA data center).  However, the DB winds are available sooner, allowing for significantly more wind data to enter into the early model runs. Other weather prediction centers are expected to use the DB winds operationally after a consensus is reached on distribution methods. Additional DB sites in the Arctic and Antarctic are being considered. (J. Key, E/RA2, 608-263-2605, jeff.key@noaa.gov, W. Straka III, CIMSS, D. Santek, CIMSS, C. Velden, CIMSS, M. Lazzara, SSEC, R. Pauley, FNMOC)

Significance:
Eight numerical weather prediction centers in five countries 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.  These centers use the conventional MODIS winds in the global runs of their operational forecast systems.  The introduction of the direct broadcast MODIS winds makes it possible to include more high latitude data in early forecast model runs.

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

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

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Figure caption: Availability of MODIS polar wind data for the early forecast run on April 4, 2006 at 12 UTC at Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceangraphy Center. The only MODIS wind data available for this run were from the direct broadcast sites at McMurdo, Antarctica, and Tromsø, Norway.

ITEMS FOR THE OFFICE DIRECTOR, STAR:

Ackerman to Serve on Cooperative Institute Executive Committee: Steve Ackerman, Director of the Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS), has been selected to be the NESDIS representative for the Cooperative Institute Executive Committee. (S. Ackerman, CIMSS, 608-263-3647)

CIMSS Regional Assimilation System (CRAS) Forecasts Severe Weather Outbreak: Researchers at the Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS) use the CIMSS Regional Assimilation System (CRAS) forecast model to asses the impact of assimilating GOES sounder products on the prediction of significant weather events.  Three-layer precipitable water, cloud-top pressure and effective cloud amount retrievals from the GOES sounders are used to adjust the initial water vapor and cloud fields in the 20 km resolution CRAS.  It is rare for the CRAS to predict locally intense convection, however, in this case it correctly initiated strong convection in a 13-hour forecast at approximately the right place and time.  For this case CIMSS researchers believe the precipitable water observations from the GOES-12 sounder improved the horizontal and vertical distribution of water vapor in the pre-convective environment. (R.Aune, E/RA2, 608-262-1071, robert.aune@noaa.gov)

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ITEMS FOR THE DIVISION CHIEF, CoRP


Other Meetings and Telecons:


VISITORS:

Dittberner Visits Wisconsin: Gerald J. Dittberner of the Office of Systems Development (OSD) visited Madison, WI on Monday April 10, 2006. He gave a seminar entitled "Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) as a Venue for Polar Wind Measurements". Discussions were held with a number of Advanced Satellite Products Branch (ASPB) and Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS) scientists. Also, an American Meteorological Society (AMS) satellite sub-committee meeting was held with C. Velden and W. Feltz regarding the next Satellite conference. (T. Schmit, E/RA2, 608-263-0291, tim.j.schmit@noaa.gov)

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