ASPB and CIMSS Weekly Report
[ Archive ]
ASPB AND CIMSS WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE WEEK ENDING AUGUST 29, 2014

IN THE PRESS:

ITEMS FOR THE ADMINISTRATOR:

ITEMS FOR THE ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATOR:

August GOES-14 Super Rapid Scan Operations for GOES-R Scanning: The Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES)-14 Imager special 1-minute (SRSOR – Super Rapid Scan Operations for GOES-R) data collection period has ended (August 28, 2014 at 11:11 UTC). These unique data were used in select National Weather Service (NWS) Weather Forecast Offices (WFO), and several national centers (Storm Prediction Center, Weather Prediction Center, Aviation Weather Center, etc.). Daily image center points, start times, and animations are available at http://cimss.ssec.wisc.edu/goes/srsor2014/GOES-14_SRSOR.html. A number of phenomena were monitored, including convection, tropical cyclones, and fog. Also see the Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS) Satellite Blog at http://cimss.ssec.wisc.edu/goes/blog/archives/category/goes-14. These data were also highlighted on the NOAA NESDIS and GOES-R Facebook pages, the NESDIS and STAR websites (e.g., http://www.nesdis.noaa.gov/fourbox/08-25-14/), and a Washington Post blog. (T. Schmit, E/RA2, 608-263-0291, tim.j.schmit@noaa.gov; D. Lindsey and D. Molenar, E/RA1 (RAMMB); S. Bachmeier, CIMSS; S. Lindstrom, CIMSS) 

Significance: These unique data were used experimentally at a number of national centers and weather forecast offices and will be used to better prepare for the Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI) on Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES)-R. 

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

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

ITEMS FOR THE OFFICE DIRECTOR, STAR:

Sky Cover Seminar at NWS EMC: Jordan Gerth, a postdoctoral research associate affiliated with the Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS), gave a seminar titled "Sky Cover" at the National Weather Service (NWS) Environmental Modeling Center (EMC) in College Park, Maryland, on 27 August 2014. Also during the visit, he worked with NWS EMC management and affiliated contractors to plan and develop an improved sky cover analysis for the operational Real-Time Mesoscale Analysis (RTMA). The NWS requested the visit based on promising results from his Ph.D. dissertation. His research was supported by the GOES Improved Measurements and Products Activities Plan (GIMPAP). (J. Gerth, CIMSS, 608-263-4942) 

ITEMS FOR THE DIVISION CHIEF, CoRP:

Manuscript on satellite based surface visibility retrieval submitted to ACP: A manuscript discussing the development and validation of a satellite based surface visibility retrieval using Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) measurements as a proxy for Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI) data from the next generation of operational geostationary satellites (GOES-R) was submitted to Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics (ACP). The retrieval uses a multiple linear regression approach to relate satellite aerosol optical depth, fog/low cloud probability and thickness retrievals, and meteorological variables from numerical weather prediction forecasts to National Weather Service Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS) surface visibility measurements. Comparison with measurements from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and National Park Service Interagency Monitoring of Protected Visual Environments (IMPROVE) network demonstrates that the aerosol (clear sky) component of the GOES-R ABI visibility retrieval can be used augment IMPROVE measurements, particularly during regional haze events associated with smoke from wildfires. The ability to use satellites to monitor visibility on a daily or hourly basis over the continental United States provides improved visibility monitoring within our National Parks and useful information to the regional planning offices responsible for developing mitigation strategies required under the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Regional Haze Rule (R.B. Pierce, E/RA2, 608-890-1892, brad.pierce@noaa.gov, J. Brunner, CIMSS, A. Lenzen, SSEC)

  (Click image to enlarge)

Figure caption: Mean surface visibility in deciviews (dV) from IMPROVE (upper left), and the GOES-R ABI IMPROVE Regression retrieval (upper right) for June 2011 showing reductions in visibility (dV>20) over the Southeastern US associated with major wildfires in eastern Arizona, New Mexico, southeastern Colorado, west-central Texas, the lower Mississippi Valley, northern Florida and eastern North Carolina. The GOES-R ABI IMPROVE Regression retrieval correlates well (r2=0.5494) with IMPROVE measurements during June 2011 (lower left) but tends to overestimate surface visibilities in the western US where very clear skies result in visibilities below 5dV, which is well below the detection limit of the retrieval. Comparison with 2011 IMPROVE measurements at the Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge (ROMA1) in South Carolina (lower right) shows that the GOES-R ABI IMPROVE Regression retrieval performs best during periods where the algorithm is expected to have good quality retrievals (June-September) and is able to capture the daily variation of IMPROVE surface visibility at this coastal site. 

New ‘”What’s this?” education webapp: Based on feedback from middle and high school teachers at the recent Satellite Educators conference (http://cimss.ssec.wisc.edu/meetings/27sated/), a “What’s this?” WebApp was developed with CIMSS (http://cimss.ssec.wisc.edu/goes/webapps/whatsthis/overview.html). This contains several cases enabling interactive exploration of spatial resolution on static imagery. Users can increase spatial resolution incrementally so more pixels gradually cover the same region, providing more detail, or better resolution. A teacher’s key is also available. This new webapp is being integrated by several teachers into their lesson plans as part of the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES)-R Education Proving Ground (http://cimss.ssec.wisc.edu/education/goesr/). (T. Schmit, E/RA2, 608-263-0291, tim.j.schmit@noaa.gov)

  (Click image to enlarge)

Figure caption: “What’s this?” webapp overview page.

VISITORS:

NEXT WEEK:

LOOKING AHEAD:


Archived Weeklies Page Submit a report item