Data Assimilation using MWHTS Onboard FY-3C Satellite for Typhoon Case

Abstract

The microwave radiation data from the microwave humidity and temperature sounder (MWHTS) onboard FY-3C meteorological satellite was employed in the data assimilation system to estimate the impact of this data on typhoon forecasts. 118.75-GHz and 183.31-GHz channels from the MWHTS provide atmospheric temperature and humidity profile measurements, respectively. These measurements play critical roles forecasting the path of the typhoon and pressure of the typhoon center. In this paper, the data from the MWHTS are implemented in the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model data assimilation system (WRFDA) to forecast the path of the typhoon and pressure of the typhoon center. The results demonstrate that the path prediction of the typhoon has been improved, but the error of the forecast pressure did not decrease significantly. It can be concluded that the data of the 118.75-GHz and 183.31-GHz channels from the MWHTS for predicting the path of the typhoon is effective. In particular, the 118 GHz frequency is the first time applied to polar orbiting meteorological satellites in the world. The application of the 118-GHz channels in data assimilation will deserve further research in the future.