Microwave Integrated Retrieval System (MiRS) Version 11.1 Operational

The Microwave Integrated Retrieval system (MiRS) has been operationally producing temperature and moisture profiles of the atmosphere, from a variety of microwave sensors on NOAA and non-NOAA satellites since 2009. Now, MiRS version 11.1 is operationally ingesting data from the Advanced Technology Microwave Sounder (ATMS) on board the Suomi-NPP satellite since October 15, 2015, providing updated versions of all operational products from ATMS data to users. MiRS 11.1 is implemented within the Suomi-NPP Data Exploitation (NDE) system. In addition, MiRS version 11.1 has also been integrated into the Community Satellite Processing Package (CSPP) developed at the University of Wisconsin/Space Science and Engineering Center for use with direct broadcast data from S-NPP/ATMS, as well as from AMSU-MHS data from MetopA, MetopB, NOAA-18, and NOAA-19. The significance of this update is that it replaces the previous operational version of MiRS (v9.2) and includes a number of important science and algorithm enhancements that yield improved temperature and water vapor retrievals, precipitation estimates, cryospheric products, as well as a transition to high resolution for all AMSU-MHS retrievals.

Scientists at STAR, the Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere (CIRA) and the Cooperative Institute for Climate and Satellites-Maryland (CICS-MD) used Water vapor products from ATMS retrieved by the MiRS algorithms to track atmospheric profiles for Hurricane Joaquin in the Atlantic and Typhoon Soudelor in the Pacific. The retrievals show a good correlation between Hurricane Joaquin's moist environment and the strong mid-latitude disturbance that eventually dumped the excessive rain over South Carolina as shown in Figure 1. Note the two distinct areas of rainfall - one over South Carolina and one offshore (Joaquin) - yet, a close connection between the water vapor emanating from Joaquin and supporting the heavy precipitation over South Carolina. Additionally, the rain rate products performed well during the event.

Figure 2 depicts MiRS retrievals of hydrometeor and temperature structure around Typhoon Soudelor from Suomi-NPP/ATMS microwave observations at 0445 UTC on August 6, 2015. Panels show surface rain rate (top left), rain water 0.01 mm isosurface with temperature profile superimposed (top right), graupel water 0.05 mm isosurface with temperature profile superimposed (bottom left), and a vertical cross-section along 21 degrees north latitude of both rain and graupel water (bottom right)

Accurate near real-time estimates of tropical cyclone intensity and structure are a key component of generating reliable warnings to the public of related weather hazards. The retrieval of storm structure also provides an opportunity for researchers to test physical assumptions of weather forecast and radiative transfer models. Typhoon Soudelor struck both Taiwan and the mainland of China in August 2015, causing significant damage and loss of life due to high winds, heavy rainfall, and flooding. CICS-MD scientist Chris Grassotti and his colleagues at STAR applied the MiRS retrieval algorithm to Suomi-NPP/ATMS microwave data obtained on August 6, approximately 24 hours prior to landfall. The MiRS algorithm simultaneously retrieved not only the atmospheric profiles of temperature and water vapor, but also atmospheric rain water, graupel, and cloud, making it possible to reconstruct the 3-dimensional structure of the storm. The results (Figure 2) show that the 3-dimensional structure of atmospheric rain and ice, as well as the surface rain rate, are realistically retrieved, with maximum surface rain rates of 16 mm/h, and the storm core structure present in both rain and graupel fields.

GCOM AMSR-2 Products Become Operational

On November 3, 2015, NESDIS declared operational status for a suite of products (imagery; rain rate; ocean surface wind speed, surface temperature, water vapor and cloud water) from the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer 2 (AMSR2) onboard the Japanese GCOM-W satellite. The product system known as GAASP-GCOM-WAMSR2 Algorithm Software Processor, is a joint effort between several NESDIS organizations, including STAR (SOCD and CoRP), OSGS, and Cooperative Institutes (CICS and CIMSS).

Satellite Climate Studies Branch and CICS-MD contributed to the rain rate and ocean products (sea surface temperature, water vapor (see image), cloud water, and surface winds). Other products will be added in the near future, include snow cover, sea-ice, and soil moisture. The Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS) and the Advanced Satellite Products Branch are leading the cryosphere products (snow and sea-ice). More information can be found at http://www.ospo.noaa.gov/Products/atmosphere/gpds/.

Megha-Tropiques Data and Products System Becomes Operational

On December 3, 2015, the Megha-Tropiques Data and Products System (MTROPS) developed by STAR scientists became operational at OSPO. MTROPS produces microwave imagery, total precipitable water, and rain rate from the SAPHIR sensor. The near-real time data feed is obtained from EUMETSAT. The MTROPS was developed to tailor Megha-Tropiques data, and generate NOAA unique Level-2 science products to meet NOAA user requirements. An example of the Channel 5, a microwave water vapor channel, is shown in the image. Products are operationally available from OSPO.

New Geocolor Product from Himawari

CIRA/RAMMB is producing a new experimental product known as Geocolor from Himawari-8 data. During the daytime, it's true color imagery, but at night, it transitions to a multispectral IR product that includes city lights and a differentiation between ice clouds and lower liquid water clouds. The GOES-R ABI will allow for a similar product, so the Himawari version will be perfected over the next year and eventually an ABI version will be developed. A nighttime example is shown in the image, and an animation showing the transition from day to night is also available.

The image depicts an example of nighttime Geocolor image from 12 November 2015 at 0950 UTC over Japan and the Korean peninsula. City lights are yellow/gold, ice clouds are white, and liquid water clouds are red/pink.

STAR Cooperative Institutes Contributions in Tracking Hurricanes Patricia and Joaquin

On October 23, 2015 Patricia became the most intense hurricane on record in the National Hurricane Center area of responsibility (which includes the northern Atlantic Ocean and the eastern North Pacific Ocean east of 140° W). Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES-15) infrared (Figure 1) and visible images of Category 5 Hurricane Patricia were posted on the Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS) Satellite Blog. Satellite imagery and derived products from the Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellites (CIMSS) and the Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere (CIRA) were widely used by both the National Weather Service and media outlets to track Hurricanes Patricia and Joaquin.

The real-time Advanced Dvorak Technique (ADT) estimates (Figure 2) pegged the maximum winds at 175 knots. The ADT utilizes GOES imagery to objectively deduce storm structure and estimate intensity. The ADT intensity estimates will be used along with aircraft reconnaissance observations and other satellite-based intensity estimates in determining the final Best Track intensity for Patricia, and ultimately if the hurricane will keep its place at the top of the records book.

Figure 2 depicts a plot of the Advanced Dvorak Technique run at CIMSS for Hurricane Patricia showing estimates of maximum winds. AdjT# and CI# are intensity parameters output by the ADT; the CI# is the final intensity estimate.

VIIRS and GOES imagery generated at RAMMB/CIRA was circulated widely in the media on October 23, 2015, as Hurricane Patricia intensified to a category 5 storm in the East Pacific as shown in Figure 3. The VIIRS image below was sent out via the NOAA Satellites twitter feed and subsequently received over 1300 retweets, a new record according to the CIRA social media coordinator.

Tropical cyclone Intensity/Size estimation techniques developed by STAR and CIRA scientists, which use data from the Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit-A (AMSU-A), have been operationally used by the National Hurricane Center for monitoring and tracking hurricane intensities since 2006. These methods estimate intensity, in terms of maximum sustained wind and minimum central pressure, and surface wind structure, in terms of the maximum extent of 34-, 50-, and 64-knot winds in geographical quadrants of the storm (collectively known as wind radii). Wind radii estimates are based on statistical relationships between quantities (temperature, gradient winds, cloud liquid water, and pressure) estimated from the azimuthally averaged temperature and moisture retrievals. The intensity and structure information is disseminated to world-wide operational tropical cyclone centers in the form of a text file that conforms to the formats in the Automated Tropical Cyclone Forecast (ATCF) system that is used at the National Hurricane Center, the Central Pacific Hurricane Center, and the DOD's Joint Typhoon Warning Center. An example of the AMSU-A-based azimuthally-averaged temperature and gradient wind estimates for October 5, 2015 at 2104 UTC is the basis for the fix information mentioned in the NHC Tropical Cyclone discussions of Hurricane Joaquin wind radii issued 1100 PM AST October 5, 2015. At this time, NOAA-18 AMSU-A estimated Joaquin to have 84 kt winds a 968 hPa central pressure and 34-knot wind radii of 181, 207, 157, 140 nautical miles ( 1 nmi = 1.85 km).

This same methodology has been extended to the Advanced Technology Microwave Sounder (ATMS) that is aboard the Suomi-NPP satellite and was recently made an operational product as part of the NDE. These too are being disseminated in ATCF format and provide global tropical cyclone intensity and structure estimates. There are also plans to implement such estimates on the JPSS-1 and JPSS-2 satellites when the ATMS data from those satellites is available. This product and many other tropical cyclone information can be found for both active and past tropical cyclone events at the Regional and Mesoscale Meteorology Branch's TC real-time website.

STAR Scientists at CIMSS and CIRA Support Operational Volcanic Ash Cloud Tracking in Indonesia

During the week of November 1, 2015, persistent volcanic ash emissions from Mount Rinjani severely disrupted air travel in regions of Indonesia popular with tourists, including Bali. The quantitative satellite-based volcanic cloud products developed by NOAA/NESDIS/STAR, in collaboration with the Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS), provided support to operational efforts to track and characterize the hazardous Rinjani ash clouds. The Australian Bureau of Meteorology and Indonesian authorities are using the near real-time volcanic cloud products, derived from Japanese Meteorological Agency (JMA) Himawari-8 satellite measurements, to assist in operational decision-making. An example of those products is illustrated in the image. Himawari-8 has very similar capabilities as the next generation of Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES-R). As such, the generation of products from Himawari-8 measurements not only fosters collaboration with NOAA's international partners, but also demonstrates GOES-R capabilities.

More information

• Near real-time NOAA/NESDIS/STAR/CIMSS volcanic cloud products
• Additional images on the CIMSS Satellite Blog
• CIRA's images

New Lightning Website and Training Guide Released

SCSB and CICS-MD scientists launched a new website that aims to better orient operational users of lightning data. This website includes a wealth of supplementary information that will help forecasters better use current lightning data, which will ultimately prepare them for the GOES-R GLM era. Additionally, Dr. Scott Rudlosky developed a Quick Guide (see image) to the Earth Networks Total Lightning Network (ENTLN) data to introduce forecasters to this new dataset. Forecasters have had access to data from the Earth Networks Total Lightning Network (ENTLN) for nearly a year, but very little training has accompanied this new dataset. The ENTLN quick guide follows a similar format to a previous quick guide for the Global Lightning Dataset 360 (GLD360). The quick guide will be distributed to the NWS via regional SSD chiefs and SOOs at the local WFOs. The lack of training on this dataset re-emphasizes the need to prepare GLM training well in advance of launch.