Community Radiative Transfer Model (CRTM) applications in supporting the Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership (SNPP) mission validation and verification

Abstract

The Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership (SNPP) sensors operationally measure a broad spectrum from microwave to ultraviolet wavelengths for generating 30 satellite products. The wide swath of the SNPP Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) observed a historic event: 3 typhoons that all hit China mainland within 5days. The Community Radiative Transfer Model (CRTM) provides critical supports to the SNPP instrumental validation and verification efforts. For example, the CRTM helped to verify image striping in the Advanced Technology Microwave Sounder (ATMS) upper atmosphere channels. The CRTM has also been used to characterize the ATMS radiometric bias and has led to the development of a complementary cloud screening method. Using the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) 6h analysis data as inputs to the CRTM, we can statistically quantify the spectral bias for each field of view (FOV) of the Cross-track Infrared Sounder (CrIS). The CRTM is also a very useful tool for cross-sensor verifications. Using the double difference method, it can remove the biases caused by slight differences in the spectral response and geometric angles between two instruments. The CRTM helps our understanding on radiometric and spectral calibrations. It is the CRTM simulations that enable us to determine the root cause of the VIIRS shortwave infrared band image striping during daytime. The CRTM is operationally used at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) for weather forecasting and monitoring satellite radiance biases and standard deviation.This study also demonstrated the CRTM capability for Ozone Mapping and Profiler Suite (OMPS) radiance simulations. The first result showed a good agreement between the measurement and simulation. The CRTM for OMPS limb sensing, and Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System (CERES) shortwave radiation and long-wave radiation flux simulation capability need to be extended.