Abstract
For more than 15 years, polar winds from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) imagery have been generated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS). These datasets are a NOAA National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS) operational satellite product that is used at more than 10 major numerical weather prediction (NWP) centers worldwide. The MODIS polar winds product is composed of both infrared window (IR-W) and water vapor (WV) tracked features. The WV atmospheric motion vectors (AMV) yield a better spatial distribution than the IR-W since both cloud and clear-sky features can be tracked in the WV images. As the new generation polar satellite-era begins with the Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership (S-NPP), there is currently no WV channel on the Visible/Infrared Imager/Radiometer Suite (VIIRS), resulting in a data gap with only IR-W derived AMVs possible. This scenario presents itself as an opportunity to evaluate hyperspectral infrared moisture retrievals from consecutive overlapping satellite polar passes to extract atmospheric motion from clear-sky regions on constant (and known) pressure surfaces, i.e., estimating winds in retrieval space rather than radiance space. Perhaps most significantly, this method has the potential to provide vertical wind profiles, as opposed to the current MODIS-derived single-level AMVs. In this study, the winds technique is applied to Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) moisture retrievals from NASA’s Aqua satellite. The resulting winds are assimilated into the Goddard Earth Observing System Model, Version 5 (GEOS-5). The results are encouraging, as the AIRS retrieval polar AMVs have a similar quality as the MODIS AMVs and exhibit a positive impact in the hemispheric Day 4.5 to 6.5 forecasts for a one-month experiment in July 2012.
Highlights
The economic impact of under-forecasted weather events is the result of the events themselves but is driven by our lack of preparedness
The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) polar winds product is composed of both infrared window (IR-W) and water vapor (WV) tracked features
A qualitative assessment of the spatial coverage is depicted in Figure 5, which shows complete longitudinal coverage of the winds on a daily basis in the high latitudes, which is similar to the polar winds derived from MODIS
Summary
The economic impact of under-forecasted weather events is the result of the events themselves but is driven by our lack of preparedness. It is estimated that lapses in preparedness have cost the United States over a trillion dollars in economic losses in the last 30 years [1]. Emergency managers need more accurate subseasonal forecasts (10 days and beyond). This is a multi-faceted problem that can be reduced to several basic components: the observations, our understanding of coupled atmospheric processes, an accurate initial atmospheric state, and the forecast model. A recognized deficiency in the global observing system is an accurate depiction of the 3D structure of the global wind field. Knowledge of the wind field is essential to our understanding of general
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
