ASPB and CIMSS Weekly Report
[ Archive ]

ASPB AND CIMSS WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 16, 2008

IN THE PRESS:

ITEMS FOR THE ADMINISTRATOR:

ITEMS FOR THE ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATOR:

ITEMS FOR THE OFFICE DIRECTOR, STAR:

First Polar Winds from AVHRR HRPT Data: As part of the continuing effort to make polar wind information available to numerical weather prediction (NWP) centers as quickly as possible, winds are now being generated from Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) data collected at the NESDIS High Resolution Picture Transmission (HRPT) receiving station in Barrow, Alaska. The first winds were generated on February 16, 2008. All processing is done at the NESDIS Fairbanks Command and Data Acquisition Station. The HRPT wind information is improved over that generated from AVHRR Global Area Coverage (GAC) data at the Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS) in that it is available much sooner (e.g., 30 minutes after acquisition rather than 2-3 hours) and at a higher spatial resolution. The Barrow HRPT winds will be made available to NWP centers after testing and validation. (J. Key, E/RA2, 608-263-2605, jkey@ssec.wisc.edu; D. Santek, CIMSS, 608-263-7410)

(Click image to enlarge)

Figure caption: NOAA-16 AVHRR winds from HRPT data collected at Barrow, Alaska, on February 17, 2008. Vectors are categorized as low (surface to 700 hPa, yellow), middle (700-400 hPa, cyan), and high (above 400 hPa, magenta).

Numerical Forecasts Assimilating MODIS for Kazakhstan: The numerical prediction model used at the Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS), the CIMSS Regional Assimilation System (CRAS), is now generating 72-hour forecasts for Kazakhstan and the surrounding region in real time. Total precipitable water and cloud information, generated from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), are used to initialize water vapor and clouds in the CRAS. This experimental CRAS forecast was created to demonstrate how MODIS retrievals can be used to improve the prediction of precipitation and clouds to a visiting scientist from the Hydrometeorological Monitoring Centre of Astana who hopes to acquire a MODIS direct broadcast system. Forecasts can be viewed on the web at http://cimss.ssec.wisc.edu/model/realtime/cras48_KZ/daily.html. (R. Aune, E/RA2, 608-262-1071)

ITEMS FOR THE DIVISION CHIEF, CoRP:

RAQMS AIRS Synthetic Radiance Studies: Researchers at the Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS) have been developing capabilities to simulate Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) radiance spectra band using chemical and meteorological output from the Real-time Air Quality Modeling System (RAQMS). Comparisons between the simulated and observed spectra in the 1040 cm^-1 O3 for August 16th, 2006 show promising results. Inclusion of trace gases in forward modeling capabilities supports Air Quality efforts within GOES-R Risk Reduction and GOES-R Algorithm Working Group (AWG) program. (R. B. Pierce, E/RA2, 608-890-1892, brad.pierce@noaa.gov, T. Greenwald, CIMSS, 608-262-3629, tom.greenwald@ssec.wisc.edu)

(Click image to enlarge)

Figure caption: Comparison of the AIRS spectrum simulated by the Real-time Air Quality Modeling System (RAQMS) against observations for a single model grid box located at 22S, 112E for the 1800 UTC 16 August 2006 analysis. AIRS observations occurred at 1823 UTC, and were cloud cleared and spatially averaged to the 2 x 2 degree model grid box. RAQMS ozone analysis includes assimilation of OMI total column ozone and TES ozone profiles. Forward calculation of AIRS radiances were based on gas absorption predicted by Compact-OPTRAN, which is part of NOAA’s Community Radiative Transfer Model. Details of the comparison in the 1040 cm^-1 O3 band are shown in the bottom panel.

GOES-10 Volcanic Ash Detection: The Tungurahua Volcano in Ecuador began to have a series of minor eruptions during the first two weeks of February 2008. Images from the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES-10) Imager and Sounder did show a subtle volcanic ash cloud signal on three separate days (February 6, 8, and 10), primarily using the 10.5-12.0 micrometer "split window difference" InfraRed (IR) product. GOES-10 images and animations were posted on the Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS) Satellite Blog ( http://cimss.ssec.wisc.edu/goes/blog/archives/608 ). (T. Schreiner,CIMSS, T. Schmit, ASPB, S. Bachmeier, CIMSS)

(Click image to enlarge)

Figure caption: GOES-10 imager IR "split window difference" image showing an ash plume drifting southwestward from the Tungurahua Volcano in Ecuador on February 6, 2008.

CIMSS VISIT Activities: Two separate Virtual Institute for Satellite Integration Training (VISIT) distance learning lessons were led by staff from the Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS): "Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) Products in Advanced Weather Information Processing System (AWIPS)" (February 12, 2008), and "Trough of Warm Air Aloft (TROWAL) Identification" (February 14, 2008). Forecasters from five separate National Weather Service (NWS) forecast offices (La Crosse, Wisconsin; Las Vegas, Nevada; Marquette, Michigan; Midland, Texas; Western Region Headquarters in Salt Lake City, Utah) participated in the VISIT lessons. (S. Bachmeier, CIMSS, 608-263-3958, S. Lindstrom, CIMSS, 608-263-4425)

Lecture on Using GOES to Improve Numerical Weather Prediction: R. Aune gave a lecture for a University of Wisconsin Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences (AOS) Department graduate seminar series focusing on relevant research topics in the atmospheric and oceanic sciences. The lecture, "Improving Short-term Numerical Weather Forecasts Using GOES", summarized how imagery and products from the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) imager and sounder were used to objectively validate improvements made to the numerical prediction model at the Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS), known as the CIMSS Regional Assimilation System (CRAS). Validation was accomplished by comparing actual GOES imagery to CRAS forecast imagery generated using a GOES forward radiative transfer model. (R. Aune, E/RA2, 608-262-1071, robert.aune@noaa.gov)

Proposal and Paper Reviews: R. Aune completed a review of a proposal submitted to Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO), Netherlands Institute for Space Research (SRON). J. Key reviewed two proposals for NASA and one paper for Remote Sensing of Environment (R. Aune, E/RA2, 608-263-1071, robert.aune@noaa.gov; J. Key, E/RA2, 608-263-2605, jkey@ssec.wisc.edu)

Other Meetings and Telecons:

None.

VISITORS:

Visitors from Curtin University of Technology: Drs. Peter Fearns and Mervyn Lynch from the Remote Sensing and Satellite Research Group at Curtin University of Technology visited the Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS) 6–8 February 2008 to discuss continued collaborations. Dr. Fearns gave a seminar on sediment mapping along the west coast of Australia with Landsat and the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS). It was agreed that the Curtin group would provide an suspended sediment concentration algorithm for use in the International MODIS and AIRS Processing Package (IMAPP) direct broadcast software. (W.P. Menzel, CIMSS, 608-263-4930)

NEXT WEEK:

LOOKING AHEAD:

Archived Weeklies Page Submit a report item