Editorial Type:
Article
Article Type:
Research Article

The Use of TOVS Cloud-Cleared Radiances in the NCEP SSI Analysis System

John C. Derber Environmental Modeling Center, National Centers for Environmental Prediction, Washington, D.C.

Search for other papers by John C. Derber in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
and
Wan-Shu Wu General Sciences Corporation, Laurel, Maryland

Search for other papers by Wan-Shu Wu in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
Print Publication:
01 Aug 1998
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0493(1998)126<2287:TUOTCC>2.0.CO;2
Page(s):
2287–2299
Restricted access

Abstract

With improved assimilation techniques, it is now possible to directly assimilate cloud-cleared radiances, rather than temperature and moisture retrievals, in objective analyses. The direct use of the cloud-cleared radiances became the operational technique for using satellite sounding data at the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) in October 1995. The methodology for using the data (including bias correction, ozone analysis, skin temperature analysis, and quality control) are described in this paper. The impact of the direct use of the radiances compared to the previously operational use of satellite sounding data shows considerable improvement in NCEP’s forecast skill, especially in the Southern Hemisphere. It is anticipated that additional positive impacts will occur with application of the technique to other remotely sensed data.

Corresponding author address: Dr. John C. Derber, National Centers for Environmental Prediction, W/NP23, World Weather Building, Washington, DC 20233.

Email: John.Derber@noaa.gov

Abstract

With improved assimilation techniques, it is now possible to directly assimilate cloud-cleared radiances, rather than temperature and moisture retrievals, in objective analyses. The direct use of the cloud-cleared radiances became the operational technique for using satellite sounding data at the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) in October 1995. The methodology for using the data (including bias correction, ozone analysis, skin temperature analysis, and quality control) are described in this paper. The impact of the direct use of the radiances compared to the previously operational use of satellite sounding data shows considerable improvement in NCEP’s forecast skill, especially in the Southern Hemisphere. It is anticipated that additional positive impacts will occur with application of the technique to other remotely sensed data.

Corresponding author address: Dr. John C. Derber, National Centers for Environmental Prediction, W/NP23, World Weather Building, Washington, DC 20233.

Email: John.Derber@noaa.gov

Save
Cover Monthly Weather Review
Monthly Weather Review

  • Andersson, E., A. Hollingsworth, G. Kelly, P. Lönnberg, J. Pailleux, and Z. Zhang, 1991: Global observing system experiments on operational statistical retrievals of satellite sounding data. Mon. Wea. Rev.,119, 1851–1864.

  • ——, J. Pailleux, J.-N. Thépaut, J. R. Eyre, A. P. McNally, G. A. Kelly, and P. Courtier, 1994: Use of cloud-cleared radiances in three/four-dimensional variational data assimilation. Quart. J. Roy. Meteor. Soc.,120, 627–653.

  • Baker, W., H. Fleming, M. Goldberg, B. Katz, and J. Derber, 1995: Development and implementation of satellite temperature soundings produced interactively. NWS Tech. Procedures Bulletin 422, 8 pp. [Available from Office of Meteorology, National Weather Service, 1325 East–West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910.].

  • Caplan, P., J. Derber, W. Gemmill, S. Y. Hong, H.-L. Pan, and D. Parrish, 1997: Changes to the 1995 NCEP operational MRF model analysis/forecast system. Wea. Forecasting,12, 581–594.

  • Courtier, P., and Coauthors, 1993: Variational assimilation at ECMWF. ECMWF Tech. Memo. 194, 84 pp. [Available from European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts, Shinfield Park, Reading, Berkshire R62 9AX, United Kingdom.].

  • Cox, S. J., 1994: Prediciton of ozone from meteorological parameters for use in GLOSS and UV index forecasting. UKMO Forecasting Research Division Tech. Rep. 85, 23 pp. [Available from Forecasting Research Division, Meteorological Office, London Road, Bracknell, Berkshire RG12 2SZ, United Kingdom.].

  • Derber, J. C., D. F. Parrish, and S. J. Lord, 1991: The new global operational analysis system at the National Meteorological Center. Wea. Forecasting,6, 538–547.

  • Eyre, J. R., 1991: A fast radiative transfer model for satellite sounding systems. ECMWF Tech. Memo. 176, 28 pp. [Available from European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts, Shinfield Park, Reading, Berkshire R62 9AX, United Kingdom.].

  • ——, 1992: A bias correction scheme for simulated TOVS brightness temperatures. ECMWF Tech. Memo. 186, 28 pp. [Available from European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts, Shinfield Park, Reading, Berkshire R62 9AX, United Kingdom.].

  • ——, G. Kelly, A. P. McNally, E. Andersson, and A. Persson, 1993:Assimilation of TOVS radiances through one dimensional variational analysis. Quart. J. Roy. Meteor. Soc.,119, 1427–1463.

  • Gill, P. E., W. Murray, and M. H. Wright, 1981: Practical Optimization. Academic Press, 401 pp.

  • Halem, M., E. Kalnay, W. E. Baker, and R. Atlas, 1982: An assessment of the FGGE satellite observing system during SOP-1. Bull. Amer. Meteor. Soc.,63, 407–429.

  • Lorenc, A. C., 1986: Analysis methods for numerical weather prediction. Quart. J. Roy. Meteor. Soc.,112, 1177–1194.

  • McMillin, L. M., and C. Dean, 1982: Evaluation of a new operational technique for producing clear radiances. J. Appl. Meteor.,21, 1005–1014.

  • Mo, K. C., X. L. Wang, R. Kistler, M. Kanamitsu, and E. Kalnay, 1995: Impact of satellite data on the CDAS–reanalysis system. Mon. Wea. Rev.,123, 124–139.

  • Parrish, D. F., and J. C. Derber, 1992: The National Meteorological Center’s spectral statistical interpolation analysis system. Mon. Wea. Rev.,120, 1747–1763.

  • Reale, A. L., D. G. Gray, M. W. Chalfant, A. Swaroop, and A. Nappi, 1986: Higher resolution operational satellite retrievals. Preprints, Second Conf. on Satellite Meteorology/Remote Sensing and Applications, Williamsburg, VA, Amer. Meteor. Soc., 16–19.

  • Reynolds, R. W., and T. M. Smith, 1994: Improved global sea surface temperature analyses. J. Climate,7, 929–948.

  • Smith, W. L., H. M. Woolf, C. M. Hayden, D. Q. Wark, and L. M. McMillin, 1979: The TIROS-N Operational Vertical Sounder. Bull. Amer. Meteor. Soc.,60, 1177–1187.

  • Tracton, M. S., A. J. Desmarais, R. J. van Haaren, and R. D. McPherson, 1980: The impact of satellite soundings on the National Meteorological Center’s analysis and forecast system—The Data Systems Test results. Mon. Wea. Rev.,108, 543–586.

All Time Past Year Past 30 Days
Abstract Views 0 0 0
Full Text Views 849 269 27
PDF Downloads 455 134 9