The Fourth TRMM Latent Heating Workshop

Abstract

In final form 30 May 2007 © 2007 American Meteorological Society he global hydrological cycle is central to Earth’s climate system, with rainfall and the physics of precipitation formation acting as the key links in the cycle. Two-thirds of global rainfall occurs in the Tropics with the associated latent heat (LH) release accounting for three-fourths of the total heat energy available to Earth’s atmosphere. In addition, freshwater provided by tropical rainfall and its variability exerts a large impact upon the structure and motion of the upper-ocean layer. The four-dimensional distribution of precipitation in the tropical atmosphere has been observed by the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite since its launch in November 1997. TRMM’s passive microwave radiometer [TRMM Microwave Imager (TMI)] and precipitation radar (PR) are the primary instruments providing these data. In the last decade, standard LH products from TRMM measurements have become valuable resources for scientific research and applications. Such products enable new insights on and investigations of the complexities of convective life cycles, the diabatic heating controls and feedbacks of mesosynoptic circulations and their forecasts, the relationship of patterns of tropical LH to the global circulation and climate, and strategies for improving cloud parameterizations in environmental prediction models. The Fourth TRMM Latent Heating Workshop was convened to exchange scientific information and experience concerning the retrieval, validation, and application of satellite-derived LH products. In addition, the 26 participants met to examine and discuss the results of a comprehensive LH algorithm intercomparison–validation project; define an initial set of standard LH products; discuss validation issues, particularly the use of diagnostic analysis as the primary validation approach; deliberate further scientific requirements and applications issues related to standardized TRMM LH products; and identify future data products and validation procedures that will be required for the upcoming Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Mission. THE FOURTH TRMM LATENT HEATING WORKSHOP