ITSC interactions with CGMS in 2000 and 2001
W. Paul Menzel
Office of Research and Applications , NOAA / NESDIS,
Madison,WI, USA
Background
Rapporteur of ITSC11 presented working paper to CGMS28 held in Woods Hole,
MA Oct 2000 and to CGMS29 held in Capri, Italy Oct 2001.
ITSC responses to CGMS Issues
ITSC11 responded on four issues posed by CGMS27. (1) Firm evidence of the utility of
TOVS/ATOVS data over land in the northern hemisphere NWP is emerging; non surface
viewing spectral radiances are being assimilated directly with positive impact and there
is progress in improving vertical profiles of temperature and moisture retrieved from
broadband infrared spectral measurements by accounting for the surface emissivity. (2)
With regard to product distribution from am and pm satellites, ITSC11 requested CGMS
to coordinate a consistent policy regarding distribution via the GTS within the Initial Polar
System of NOAA/NESDIS and EUMETSAT (MetOp AM satellites and NOAA PM
satellites). This policy should address production and distribution on the GTS of IPS
products in order to avoid duplication. (3) With regard to spectral response (SR)
characterization, ITSC11 noted that the associated uncertainties should be well below
instrument noise. For high spectral resolution infrared instruments and microwave
instruments, this seems within reach. But for broad band infrared instruments, renew
efforts must be encouraged. (4) Finally with regard to enhanced geostationary
soundings, ITSC11 concluded from their discussions that hourly high spectral resolution
infrared radiances offer unique observations that would benefit nowcasting, very short
range forecasting, as well as regional numerical weather prediction. Moisture gradients
would be determined at commensurate temporal and spatial (both horizontal and
vertical) resolutions for the first time.
CGMS responses to ITSC issues
ITSC11 made several recommendations to CGMS28, which are listed below followed by
the CGMS response at CGMS29:
ITWG again expressed appreciation for dissemination of 1b data to Pathfinder and reanalysis groups and encourages continued low-cost, efficient dissemination of data from
future instruments, including METOP, NPOESS, and ATOVS.
This was noted at CGMS28.
ITWG recommended that future infrared sounding instruments should observe radiances
covering the same spectral bands as HIRS to ensure that its data record will be
continued for as long as possible.
This was noted at CGMS28.
ITWG encouraged CGMS and WMO to consider coordination of polar-orbiting equator
crossing times to optimise satellite utilisation while minimising potential conflicts in data
reception.
This was covered by ACTION 28.18. WMO hosted a task force meeting in Geneva Jan
2001 to discuss coordination of data formats and frequency planning for all polarorbiting satellites including their equator cross-times. The Task Force recommended
that CGMS further consider a four-time slot scenario
ITWG encouraged NASA/IPO to consider placing the NPP sounder in a p.m. orbit.
ITWG also encourages RASA to finalize manufacturing of the very high spectral
resolution IFRS and launch it on METEOR 3M N2 in 2003.
NASA is currently committed to an a.m. NPP orbit for terrestrial considerations. RASA
acknowledged this encouragement and will seek ways to realise the request.
ITWG encouraged CGMS and WMO to review the monitoring procedures and practices
for satellite data and products placed on the GTS with a goal towards improving them.
The review should also identify the future monitoring policy once the Initial Polar System
of NOAA/NESDIS and EUMETSAT becomes operational.
With regard to the latter CGMS placed ACTION 28.24.
NOAA/NESDIS and
EUMETSAT reported at CGMS29 on their monitoring procedures and practices for
satellite data and products placed on the GTS. In addition there was ACTION 28.25 WMO reported at CGMS29 on the future monitoring policy for the IPS. Monitoring
practices were reported on in EUM-WP-15 and USA-WP-31 and WMO-WP-20.
ITWG encouraged WMO to increase the GTS capacity through the implementation of
the Distributed Database System Concept.
This was noted at CGMS28. WMO response is pending.
ITWG requested CGMS clarify the situation concerning the availability of SSMIS data.
This resulted in ACTION 28.26 - NOAA/NESDIS reported at CGMS29 on availability of
SSMIS data. The SSM/IS data will be made available via FTP through the NOAA
CEMSCS system and the NESDIS Satellite Active Archive. NOAA will NOT generate
sounding-related level 1B from the SSM/IS. There is no current requirement for SSM/IS
sounder related level-1B products.
ITWG requested information from CGMS as to plans for IPS products and their
distribution over the GTS.
This was addressed under ACTION 28.24 above.
ITWG requested CGMS seek clarification from the NPOESS IPO as to the availability of
radiance products (referenced to level 1b as is heritage from FGGE onwards) as part of
the suite of NPOESS Sensor Data Records (SDR).
This was covered by ACTION 28.05. USA investigated whether global or a selection of
NPOESS level 1B data can be made available to end-users in near real-time. USA
reported at CGMS29 on the near real-time availability of global Stored Mission Data
(SMD) and real-time High Rate Data (HRD) and Low Rate Data (LRD) from NPOESS.
NPOESS global SMD will be routed to four (4) U.S. Operational Processing Centers for
processing into Raw Data Records (RDR), Sensor Data Records (SDR), and
Environmental Data Records (EDR).
NESDIS will provide the worldwide user
community access to near real-time processed NPOESS data and higher-level products
via the NESDIS Central Environmental Satellite Computer System (CEMSCS) servers,
as well as access to archived NPOESS data via other distributed servers at the NESDIS
Data Centers
Actions still underway in CGMS
Several ITSC11 items follow that were not completed at CGMS29.
ITWG recommended that WMO/NESDIS/EUMETSAT should develop and publicize
procedures for handling real-time data requests for external users.
ITWG recommended the exploration of an additional 226-230 GHz channel to future
microwave humidity sounders (AMSU-B, MHS follow-on) to assist with processing of ice
water effects at 183 GHz.
ITWG recommended that data transfer links needed for routine transfer of AIRS
radiance and retrieval products be established many months prior to the launch of Aqua
so that simulated AIRS data can be used to develop and improve data processing and
assimilation procedures for AIRS.
ITWG recommended that ingest code for advanced sounder data should be made
available to user community, to permit effective exploitation of direct read-out data.
ITWG recommended that EUMETSAT considers the integration of IASI level 1 ingest
code into an extended version of the AAPP software via activities in the EUMETSAT
SAF for NWP.
ITWG recommended that IPO plan for initial distribution of CrIS ingest code to users 1-2
years before the launch of the NPP satellite.
ITWG recommended that the user community be provided with and invited to review the
draft specifications (content and format) for the raw data records (RDRs) and sensor
data records (SDRs) for CrIS.
CGMS29 did take some actions relevant to ITWG.
Action 29.27
The Chairman OPAG IOS is asked to bring to the attention of the
CBS Management Group, as a matter of urgency, the need for a
designated CBS Open Programme Area Group with responsibility
for the monitoring of satellite data as well as the need for an
expert meeting to discuss associated issues. CGMS members
are asked to indicate their willingness, as appropriate, to
participate in such a WMO planning meeting. Deadline: March
2002.
Action 29.29
EUMETSAT and USA report on their plans for developing and
supporting Direct Broadcast processing packages for
IASI/AVHRR/AMSU and CrIS/VIIRS/ ATMS, respectively, at
ITWG (March 2002) and CGMS30 (October 2002).
Action 29.31
Satellite operators to report at CGMS30 on their monitoring
procedures and practices for satellite data and products placed
on the GTS using EUM-WP-15 as an example.
Action 29.33
CGMS Members to propose lists of parameters and data which
should be contained in “meta-data” to accompany reprocessed
data, at CGMS30.
CGMS Issues for ITSC12
ITWG, at its March 2002 meeting, to (a) summarise the successful characterisation of
problems with AMSU-A & B direct broadcast (DB) data (e.g. humidity profiles derived
with AMSU-B) and post these on a web site for DB users, (b) characterise the DB profile
retrieval packages (three are known to CGMS – AAPP, IAPP, ISDAP), (c) provide an
update on the status of using satellite data over land for retrievals and other products,
(d) explore the quantitative use of cloud products, (e) discuss the necessity for CO2
profile measurements for improving atmospheric temperature profile retrieval, and (f)
investigate multi-satellite utilisation for profile retrieval, specifically radio occultation with
high spectral resolution infrared radiometers.