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 re-analysis 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 polar-orbiting 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 29.27The 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 29.29EUMETSAT 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 29.31Satellite 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 29.33CGMS 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.