Abstract
This study explores the use of Modern-Era Retrospective analysis for Research and Applications version 2 (MERRA-2) global meteorological and aerosol reanalysis for improving the simulation of satellite sensor infrared brightness temperatures (BTs), and the retrieval of sea surface temperature (SST) in the NOAA Advanced Clear Sky Processor for Ocean (ACSPO) system, with a particular focus on ACSPO long-term reprocessing efforts. Using MERRA-2 upper-air pressure, temperature, and humidity profiles, rather than the currently used NCEP Global Forecast System (GFS) real-time data, as input into the Community Radiative Transfer Model (CRTM), reduces the global clear-sky observation-minus-model (O–M) BT biases in the infrared bands centered at 3.7, 8.6, 11, and 12 μm of the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite onboard Suomi-NPP. The improvements are largely due to more accurate water vapor (total amount and/or vertical distribution) at low latitudes in MERRA-2, which brings the modeled BTs closer to observations. Additional stand-alone simulations, performed using RTTOV model and MERRA-2 aerosol profiles, further reduce the ACSPO global O–M BT biases and the dependence of O–M BT biases on the dust aerosol optical depth. The potential skill of MERRA-2 aerosol reanalysis for reducing dust-caused regional biases in the ACSPO global regression SST product is also demonstrated. Preliminary results suggest that MERRA-2 is a viable alternative to NCEP GFS for ACSPO reprocessing efforts.
Accepted Version (
Free)
Published Version
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 call