Improving the Characterization of the Battlespace Environment with Satellite Brightness Temperature Assimilation

Abstract

Satellite observations, particularly in data-sparse regions, are critically important for initializing the Navy's global and mesoscale numerical weather prediction (NWP) models used to provide tactical weather support. Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit A (AMSU-A) and AMSU-B are multi channel passive microwave radiometers that provide global observations of atmospheric temperature and moisture, respectively. Recently, the NRL Atmospheric Variational Data Assimilation System (NAVDAS) began operational assimilation of AMSU-A brightness temperatures T(b)'s for the Navy Operational Global Atmospheric Prediction System (NOGAPS), replacing the assimilation of temperature retrievals. AMSU-A assimilation significantly improves the Northern and Southern Hemisphere forecast skill and tropical cyclone track predictions. Assimilation of AMSU-B humidity profiles improves the representation of NOGAPS upper-tropospheric water vapor, and further reduces tropical cyclone track forecast error.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 2005
Accession Number
ADA521591

Entities

People

  • C. B. Blankenship
  • N. L. Baker
  • R. L. Pauley
  • T. F. Hogan
  • W. F. Campbell

Organizations

  • United States Naval Research Laboratory

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Artificial Satellites
  • Assimilation
  • Atmospheric Sciences
  • Atmospheric Temperature
  • Battlespace
  • Brightness
  • Cyclones
  • Environment
  • Geosynchronous Satellites
  • Hemispheres
  • Marine Meteorology
  • Measurement
  • Meteorology
  • Military Research
  • Tropical Cyclones
  • Water Vapor
  • Weather Forecasting

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Atmospheric Remote Sensing.
  • Atmospheric Science/Meteorology

Technology Areas

  • Space