ASPB and CIMSS Weekly Report
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ASPB AND CIMSS WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE WEEK ENDING AUGUST 31, 2013

IN THE PRESS:

ITEMS FOR THE ADMINISTRATOR:

ITEMS FOR THE ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATOR:

ITEMS FOR THE OFFICE DIRECTOR, STAR:

Conclusion of Successful GOES-14 1-min Imagery Test: The end of the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES)-14 imager Super Rapid Scan Operations for GOES-R (SRSOR) was reached on August 28. 2013. This concluded the data gathering phase of SROSR 2013 where the GOES-14 acquired 1-minute imagery. In fact, there was no gap due to full disk scans with the recent schedule. While the main objective of observing a land-falling hurricane with the experimental SRSOR data and the Global Hawk was not met, many unique datasets were acquired. This included convection, fires, smoke, fog, etc. These data were demonstrated at a number of national centers and will help to better prepare for the meso-scale images from the Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI). More information, images and loops are available at http://cimss.ssec.wisc.edu/goes/srsor2013/GOES-14_SRSOR.html and http://cimss.ssec.wisc.edu/goes/blog/archives/category/goes-14. GOES-14 has returned to normal mode configuration with the instruments off. (T. Schmit, E/RA2, 608-263-0291, tim.j.schmit@noaa.gov; S. Bachmeier, CIMSS, 608-263-3958; S. Lindstrom, CIMSS; J. Robaidek, SSEC, 608-262-6025, jerrold.robaidek@ssec.wisc.edu)

Arctic Composite Satellite Imagery Critical Design Review: A critical design review (CDR) for the Arctic Composite Imagery project of the Product System Development and Implementation (PSDI) program was held 28 August 2013. Personnel from the University of Wisconsin, STAR, OSPO, OSD, the Ocean Prediction Center, and the National Ice Center participated. The product is scheduled to become operational in March 2014. (M. Lazzara, SSEC; J. Key, E/RA2, 608-263-2605, jkey@ssec.wisc.edu)

GSIP Cloud Product CDR: A Critical Design Review (CDR) was held to present the update of the cloud algorithms in the GOES Surface and Insolation Project (GSIP). GSIP is the twin of the Clouds from AVHRR Extended (CLAVR-x) system running in NESDIS on the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR). In addition to the imager data from the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES), GSIP processes data from the Japanese and European geostationary imagers. The cloud algorithms in GSIP and CLAVR-x are now the same and are identical to those delivered to the STAR Algorithm Implementation Team (AIT) for implementation on the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) in the AIT Framework. (A. Heidinger, E/RA2, 608-263-6757, andrew.heidinger@noaa.gov, William Straka III, CIMSS, wstraka@ssec.wisc.edu). 

VIIRS/MODIS Workshop at NWS Forecast Office Honolulu HI: In support of a NOAA grant to install an X/L-band antenna system for the National Weather Service (NWS) in Honolulu HI, Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS) and Space Science and Engineering Center (SSEC) personnel gave a workshop on Visible Infrared Imager Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) and Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) sensors, products, and applications at the NWS / University of Hawaii Manoa campus from August 20-23, 2013. Topics included the characteristics of the VIIRS and MODIS sensors; the products available from VIIRS and MODIS; the algorithms used to derive atmosphere, ocean, and land products from VIIRS and MODIS, and real-time applications of the products. The afternoons were taken up with laboratory sessions where students explored VIIRS and MODIS products using the Hydra2 software developed at CIMSS/SSEC. Twenty-one students from the National Weather Service, Joint Typhoon Warning Center, and University of Hawaii were in attendance. On Friday morning the students gave team presentations on case studies they investigated using VIIRS and/or MODIS data. (L. Gumley, CIMSS/SSEC 608-265-5358, K. Strabala, CIMSS/SSEC, 608-263-8752, J. Gerth, CIMSS, 608-263-4942, T. Rink, CIMSS, 608-265-2342).

  (Click image to enlarge)

Figure caption: Students at the workshop examine VIIRS and MODIS data in Hydra2.

ITEMS FOR THE DIVISION CHIEF, CoRP:

GRAFIIR Addresses Co-registration Issue on ABI : The Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES)-R Algorithm Working Group (AWG) GOES-R Analysis Facility for Instrument Impacts on Requirements (GRAFIIR) team responded to a GOES-R Program request concerning potential band-to-band co-registration issues on the Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI). The GRAFIIR team, located at the Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS) simulated co-registration errors in all 16 ABI bands that varied from 8 microradians to 12 microradians to represent specification-compliant and non-compliant cases. These data were used to generate and assess the impact of the co-registration errors on a number of Level-2 cloud products (clear sky mask, cloud top temperature, cloud top pressure, cloud phase). In addition, impacts were assessed on the split-window (11-12micrometer) difference. A Powerpoint report detailing the band to band co-registration error effects on products was presented to the Product Working Group (PWG) at their weekly meeting on 27 August 2013 with a general recommendation that while co-registration has a negative impact on products, the likely effects of this particular error should not result in Level-2 products being unable to meet their specifications. (M. Gunshor, CIMSS, 608-263-1146, H. Zhang, CIMSS, 608-263-2348, T. Schmit, E/RA2, 608-263-0291, tim.j.schmit@noaa.gov, J. Daniels, Jaime.Daniels@noaa.gov).

Participation in NCAR-FAA Sponsored Aviation Turbulence Workshop: An aviation turbulence workshop sponsored by the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in Boulder, CO on August 27-29, 2013, that brought public sector and private sector stakeholders together to discuss nowcasting and forecasting this phenomenon. Tony Wimmers (Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies, CIMSS) presented various techniques for inference of turbulence from meteorological satellite imagery. Presentations from NCAR, international universities, and airline companies were given trying to connect turbulence research to the stakeholders operational needs. FAA NextGen representatives were present to capture recommendations so integration into future FAA weather research program initiatives (W. Feltz, CIMSS, 608-265-6283, T. Wimmers, CIMSS)

Azimuth Calibration Test on GOES-14: At the request of NOAA/NESDIS Office of Satellite Products and Operations (OSPO), the Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS)/ASPB investigated the effect on Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) Variable (GVAR) data of a Precision Sun Sensor (PSS) azimuth calibration test on GOES-14. The test was mid-afternoon on August 28, 2013. Navigation offsets of approximately 10 km were seen. A Powerpoint file was provided. This information will be helpful to operations to know the degree to which solar array motions affect the products. (T. Schmit, E/RA2, 608-263-0291, tim.j.schmit@noaa.gov; M. Gunshor, CIMSS, 608-263-1146)

Intern Completes Visit to CIMSS: Philipp Ratz, an intern from Germany, successfully completed a six week internship at the Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS) from 15 July to 27 August 2013. The internship included a work project and a short course on remote sensing. The work project entailed synchronizing and displaying imagery from the building’s roof top camera (RTC) and geostationary satellites. The RTC and geostationary visible images were successfully displayed on the web: http://cimss.ssec.wisc.edu/goes/rtc/ and http://cimss.ssec.wisc.edu/goes/rtc_goes_east/ (for GOES-14 and -13, respectively). The remote sensing short course included materials on radiation and the radiative transfer equation, spectral signatures from Earth’s surface and atmosphere, multi-spectral monitoring of land, ocean, and atmosphere, sounding using infrared high resolution spectral data, and microwave detection of vertical changes of moisture in the atmosphere. (W. P. Menzel, CIMSS; T. Schmit, E/RA2, 608-263-0291, tim.j.schmit@noaa.gov)

  (Click image to enlarge)

Figure caption: GOES-14 Imager visible imager with time synched Roof Top Camera images on 26 August 2013.

VIIRS Ice Surface Temperature Provisional Maturity Review: The Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS) Cryosphere Team briefed the Algorithm Engineering Review Board (AERB) on the "provisional" maturity status of Visible Infrared Imager Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) Ice Surface Temperature (IST) environmental data record (EDR) on 22 August 2013. The Team gave a summary of the extensive validation work has been done to assess the quality of the IST product. (J. Key, E/RA2, 608-263-2605, jkey@ssec.wisc.edu)

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