GOES-R3 Convective Initiation Project: Work continues on a GOES-R Risk Reduction Project whose goal is to improve 1-6 hour forecasts of convective initiation. This is a collaborative effort between CIRA, CIMSS, UAH, NSSL, and CREST. Five-minute output from the NSSL-WRF was obtained for a case study from 21 May 2011. Simulated radar reflectivity was used to define Convective Initiation (> 35 dbz at 4-km AGL), so this will be used as the validation dataset. Predictors will include data and products from the simulated GOES-R bands, along with NWP forecasts. One of the inputs is the 10.35-12.3 µm difference. We have recently developed a method to normalize this difference for the low-level temperature lapse rate in an effort to remove the diurnal signal in the difference. An example of the difference for the 21 May 2011 case study is below. (D. Lindsey, L. Grasso)
Figure. Simulated 10.35-12.3 µm data from 21 May 2011 based on a 18-hr, 30-min forecast from the NSSL WRF-ARW. The yellows and reds generally indicate regions with more water vapor, and the blue colors are clouds.
In preparation for the GOES-R Proving Ground activities at the Storm Prediction Center (as part of their annual Spring Experiment), synthetic GOES-R imagery was provided for a Weather Event Simulator case (24 May 2011). In addition, a job sheet was created that provides a walk-through for forecasters to understand how to use and interpret the synthetic imagery. This WES case will be provided to forecasters participating in the Spring Experiment prior to their arrival as a means to familiarize/train them on the products. (D. Lindsey)
A new collaboration, headed by Bill Blackwell of MIT/LL, has begun with several researchers from various organizations centered around MiniMAS (Miniature Microwave Atmospheric Sounder). This NASA project plans to launch up to 6 AMSU-like instrument on the next Iridium satellites in 2016. This configuration would result in 15-25 minute revisit time of the microwave sensor, allowing much better imaging frequency than is available with the current polar-orbiting satellites. RAMMB’s role is to apply this dataset to tropical cyclone research. At this point, weekly conference calls are held, primarily to discuss the necessary details of the proposal to be written. (J. Dostalek)
There are a number of things to report concerning GOES-R Proving Ground activities related to the HWT. First the GOES sounder-based Airmass RGB product is now available in real-time on operational systems at SPC. J. Knaff and M. Folmer (OPC/HPC) provided input detailing the creation, dissemination and training associated with the GOES sounder-based Airmass RGB product for the HWT’s Ops Plan. Finally, training material (WES jobsheet) was created for the Airmass RGB Product. All inputs provided to C. Siewert who was coordinating the Ops Plan. (J. Knaff)
L. Grasso gave an invited talk last January 2012 on our true-color imagery. The invitation was extended by Amy Huff (Battelle). Our presentation was given remotely to the Air Quality Proving Ground Workshop on January 12, 2012. (L. Grasso, D. Hillger, and R. Brummer)
We have been invited to return to the IMET satellite training to present our GOES-R fire work. Last March, CIRA trained IMET on the interpretation of synthetic GOES-R imagery that contains fire hot spots. Peter Roohr and Mike Johnson extended the invitation. Bonnie Reed has been working with Peter to find funding for this effort.
Due to funding shortages, this workshop was cancelled. (L. Grasso)
We began collaborating with Paul van Delst (NCEP/EMC) this quarter. He is helping us develop code that will read output from a numerical model and initialized specific variables that are needed by the Community Radiative Transfer Model (CRTM). I hosted his visit last January. (L. Grasso, Y-J. Noh, R. Brummer)