Asynoptic meteorological data assimilation by means of a time coordinate transformation

A possible method for assimilating large quantities of asynoptic data, such as satellite observations, into numerical weather forecasts, is investigated. The method is based on a transformation of the time coordinate to coincide with satellite paths, and a well-posed problem is solved in order to obtain forecasts beyond the time of data acquisition. Simulated barotropic forecasts based on the proposed technique are compared with forecasts derived from the direct insertion of data. Results indicate that only in ideal situations, when asynoptic data are obtained both continuosly and accurately, will the method function well as compared with direct insertion techniques.